Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1901-03-23
Report or Board ~ Heath for Febrs-

The past month OF February has
Justly received the distinction OF
being the most unhealthy since the
establishment OF the Health Board.
While whooping cough and measles
were vet torturing the little ones and
making sleepless nights aud anxious
davs for parents, influenza, better
known as la grippe, made its appear
ance and rapidly spread to every
section OF the county. In many sec-
tions physicians were taxed beyond
their capacity, one at least reporting
as many as 800 cases OF grippe alone
Previous epidemics have not ap-
preached this one either In severity
Of immediate symptoms or seque'@
Former attacks instead OF affording
some degree OF immunity, as Is the
case with many diseases, apparently
leaves it's victim an easier prey to
subseuuent attacks. 1t is the cause
OF many more deaths than can be di-
rectly traced to 1t and the individual
WHO has entertained this unwelcome
guest cannot be too careful OF his
health until he has fully regained his
accustomed vigor and buoyancy
Especially Is this the case with those
who have diseased lungs or kidneys.
For some unaccountable reason 1t
appears to exert it's most deleterious
influence upon these organs and
many who were making brave light
for life with these organs crippled,
have had to give up the struggle
when grippe fastened its hold upon
them.
A brief history of grippe will doubt
less be of interest to the laity who
have looked upon it as an enemy Of
recent years only. 1t is only new to
the present generation. Hypocrates
and Livy vaguely refer to an epidem-
ic 412 b. c., now considered the first
written alluslon to influenza. In the
sixth century mention is made OF an
epidemic that prevailed extensively
and thought to have been grippe.
The ninth century writer's speak oil
it attacking birds and domestic fowl.
In this same century, S76, it is said to
have seriously discounted the army
of Charlamangne on It's return from
Italy. Positive knowledge dates from
1910 when it visited all Europe
and not family and scarcely Il per
son escaped it. In 1867 it suddenly
made is appearance in Asia and
spread rapidly west and visited for
the first time America. During the
past tour hundred years there has
occurred about seventy-five epidem-
les. half of which from their wide
spread prevalence deserve to be called
pandemics. With few exceptions the
pandemlcs of recent years originated
in Asia and travelled rapidly west
ward, which by the way appears tc
be its usual course. With central Asia
as a nucleus it radiates in all direct
ions until it encircles the globe. The
pandemic OF 1891 reversed this rule
and travelled from east TO west. This
was the first time the United States
furnished the starting point, New
Orleans being the place. Beginning
at that point in January it sweep
rapidly north and west crossed the
ocean and reached England IN April
Germany in August, Scandinavia anc
Denmark in July, Russia in Septem'
Der, France in October, Italy in De
cember and so on from country te
country until it embraced the whole
civilized world. We enjoyed freedom
from it Oh this side of the ocean from
lS47 until 1889 and tor this reason thu
present generation were strangers u
it.
Secretary.