Lower coast gazette., 1913-10-11

The attack is usually ushered in by
chilly sensations, followed by more or
less fever. This is often of brief dur
alton, but in other cases persists for
several days. Among the compiled.
tons which add greatly to the danger
Of the disease are pneumonia-already
mentioned-pleurisy and meningitis.
The after results are numerous and
varied, including affections of the eyes,
the ears, the joints, the heart, the ner-
vous system-especially neurasthenia,
or nerve exhaustion.
What has been said is sufficient to
indicate that grippe is not the triling
ailment that many persons appear to
consider it. 1t is true that the mortal.
ity from uncomplicated grippe is very
slight, but during the prevalence Of an
epidemic of the disease the general
mortality is greatly increased, and the
number Of deaths ascribed to bronchi-
tbs and pneumonia is especially large.
In Prussia, the official records show
a mortality from influenza for the FIVE
years ending in 1904, Of 51,276, and
more than half Of the victims were
over sixty years of age.
A Drive That Was Postponed.
Some years ago a physician made an
appointment with me to take a drive.
Upon arriving at his house, l found
him suffering from an attack of grippe.
He proceeded to put on his o~vercoat
and to wrap up his throat in q silk
handkerchief, remarking that he felt
pretty sick, but he had a close carriage
at the door, and did not think it would
do him any harm to go.
YES" I replied, but how about me?
l have been through one or two severe
attacks, and do not care to repeat the
experience. l must therefore ask you
to excuse me from taking a drive with
you lin a close carriage"
/ tell this story to illustrate the fact
that even physicians often ignore the
contagious nature of the disease, and
most people apparently feel no respon-
sibility in regard to its propagation. To
carry out any effective quarantine
measures appears to be quite imprac-
ticable.
But persons suffering from grippe
should have some regard for others,
and should seclude themselves as far
as is practicable during the acute stage
of the disease. Old and feeble persons
should take especial pains to keep
away from contact with those who
have the disease, or from entering
houses in which cases are known to
exist. They will also do well to avoid
public places where people c0ngregate
in crowds-theaters, railway-cars-dur'
ing the prevalence Of an epidemic.
susceptibility to infection is greater
among those who live in overheated
and ill-ventilated apartments, and is in
creased, as in other infectious diseases,
by depressing influences Of various
kinds-such as fatigue, worry, dissipa'
ton, insufficient nourishment, and SO
forth. Life in the open air during the
day time and sleeping in a cool and
well ventilated bedroom will help to
increase the resistance to infection, or
to moderate the severity Of an attack.
1t would be out of place in an article
of this kind to speak Of the medical
treatment of the disease, but some gen.
eral advice may be given as to the pre-.
cautions that should be taken to avoid
the complications and after results
that so often occur.
First and foremost the patient
should realize that he is suffering from
a disease that may have serious conse.
quences if neglected. It is always best
to keep quiet and remain indoors until
the fever and acute catarrhal symp.
toms have disappeared. Rest is a SOY.
ereign remedy, and next to that is a
low diet for a few days. In many cases
there is a complete loss of appetite,
and the patient will be little disposed
to commit any imprudence in this di'
r%ection. A liquid diet is usually best,
and a bowl of hot broth-chicken, lamb
or mutton will be all that the patient
desires or requires.
When the acute symptoms have
abated, a more liberal diet may be
lgiven, including meats, eggs, milk, fruit