The Washington times., 1901-12-16
EPIDEMIC OF
INFLUENZA.
Malady Deemed Contagious
by Many Physicians.
PROMPT TREATMENT ESSENTIAL.
Health Officer Woodward Says
Early Neglect Is Often Fatal or
Attended by Serious Consequrn-
ces-His Advice to Victims--F First
Stage Resembles Common Cold

From various sources come reports that
many people in Washington are suffering
with colds. In fact, rather severe type
OF Influenza is prevalent in the city,
with its attendant suffering and general
disagreeableness. A few cases of grin
have resulted from the epidemic. and
considerable number OF persons are af-
flicted with pneumonia in the hospitals
and in their homes.
As nearly as can be calculated the pres
ent visitation of the malady started in the
northwest section. and from there has
spread rapidly over the entire District.
The first report OF a general attack Of
heavy colds emanated from the quarter
mentioned, and about ten days ago nearly
every family, and nearly every member
of each family. was sneezirg and wheez-
ing. and complaining THAI he had the
worst cold of his life. Since then, SINH
lar reports have come from almost every
part OF the District, showing that no sec
tion and no class Of people are exempt.
Many Under Treatment
Several physicians yesterday stated to
q reporter for The Times that they had a
number of patients on their lists who are
being treated for colds and certain COM
plications growing out Of them. In the
hospitals, too, there are numerous
patients who have been brought in within
the past few days suffering from inffu-
enza. The type of the disease is not as
severe as it sometimes is, but it appears
he hap -,
itation Washington has suffered for sew
eral years
Dr. William c. Woodward the District
Health Officer. said yesterday ne had
heard that influenza is quite common
throughout the city. de said that the
season of the year is favorable to the
spread OF the malady Dr. Woodward be-
reeves that the common cold, as well as
the grip. is a contagious disease. he said
that the medical world is not agreed to
call them both germ diseases. though
there is much reason TO do go. but con-
corning their extreme conta giorsness, Dr.
Woodward said there is no longer any
doubt. He said that certain seasons of
the year were favorable TO colds and the
severer forms of Influenza. and that quite
often at those times they assumed the
proportions OF an epidemic
SeEiect often Fatal
DR.. Woodward explained that the rec
ords Of the Health Department do not
give any figures relative to these diseases.
except the deaths which may result there
from. He said that within two weeks |
rasro I'D been three deaths from grip
Ier several from pneumonia |
i7 sr "a said. were
l's &c OF .
ught |
re hight
cr g0cd-
0n had
.e.r re- wnu. reporting
af litsa ies 10 the
#irI that lime
Teach much rela-
- Jread OF in
@e- various times
'ar 4 ng months
ae-t s.,t5r.a w r-.atment.
~ I willing TO set
Gown OF treatment for
a cold ae f. the old formula of
taking the ~ and dosing with
Dover's powde. J luinine had been
found efIicacious b. way Of breaking the
cold, and often IN curing it, He said thai
by all means the best thing to do when
the head aches. fever rises the throat
becomes irritated, and a secretion from
the nose is noticeable, is TO 20 to bed ard
take mild laxative. II the patient is
TO be really sick tie plan prescribed is
the best possible preparation for the com
ins or the doctor, and IL il is only cold
the morning win find the worst symptoms
over
DR.. Woodward said that II is difFrnl, ,
in the first stages, 10 distinguish between
the approach Of several forms of disease
all OF which at the start are similar TO a
cold He thought that the precaution Of ,
going 10 bed and securing quiet aud fast /
and the relief of the digestive tract ab9ut
all that could be done in the first hours
Of attacks from a dozen diseases he might
mention.
So far as the cold is concerned. ouiet ,
and rest are as essential to quick cure
as In the fevers and other contagious dis
eases.
Value OF Isolation. {
Dr. Woodward said that going TO bed !
with cold andsecuring complete isolation |
Of the patient is quite as necossar, io, !
the welfare Of the rest Of the household I
as Cor the one sick He said that IN ease !
lf The approach OF diphtheria. measles nr !
scarlet fever such action was greatly 10 :
Ne commended. lie also thought that sev
sral members Of the family might often (
be spared by the isolation OF the one
who has taken cold
Further than these simple forms af
treatment DR.. Woodward was not willing
10 go. He said that if other raeaus ,yer. .
necessary they should be undertaken :