The Washington times., 1917-02-17
POPULAR MEDICINE
BY DR.. HIRSHDERG
Intelligent Observation of Rules
of Hygiene Will De-
crease Illness.
By ER. LEONARD X. HIRsHBERG.

BY ER. LEONARD X. HIRsHBERG.
The tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
are, as little Johnny says, "menagery
The demarcations between grip"
"colds." sore throat, bronchitis and
the like are also imaginary lines.
The present pandemic of grip" or
influenza has not yet been laid defi-
nitely at the door of the bacillts in
fluenzae of Pfieffer. Indeed, there are
so many wholly different kinds of
microbes that cause epidemic infec-
tions of the breathing apparatus, with
bone-breaking aches and pains, parox-
ysms of sniffles, sneezes and fever
depressions and prostrations that the
malady known as grip" may be
caused by one kind of germ or an
other.
Half a dozen years ago an epidemic
scourge about this time OF the yea
was called in health reports and death
certificates grip" or influenza, until
psychologists proved the offending
germs to be filaments of beaded bac-
terra However. a rose by any other
name smells just as sweet. Hence
what you are displeased to suffer as
grip" is as iniquitious. when due to
the influenza bacillus. as when caused
by any other evil germs.
No Respecter of Persons.
1t is already evident in the present
epidemic of grip that more than one
type OF microbe is getting in deadly
work. Wide as is the distribution. of
the pandemic of watery eyes, running
noses, sore throats, coughs, chills,
fevers and backaches, evidence is al
ready at hand from many quarters
that the true grip" bacillus. like the
flowers that bloom in the spring, has
nothing to do with the case"
Among the conspicuous observR-
tions of this prevalent contagion is
the fact that persons in all stations of
life are affected. Irrespective of
wealth, poverty, comforts, depriva-
tions. guarantees, or crowds, the
grip" germs may get you, even If
you do watch out.
Sneeze and sniffle as you will. the
microbes will cling to your anatomy
still.
Among the symptoms disagreeably
manifested, a slight irritation, tickle,
or soreness in the nostrils may be the
first. This is followed usually by a
watery mucus or even a slightly
blood-tinted now.
The Methods of Cure.
The throat may become red and
the windpipe and bronchi sooner or
later involved in the process. Then
sneezes give way to coughing and
bronchitis. At this stage your vital
ity and reserve strength is called into
battle to preserve you from pneu-
monia.
There is but a baby footstep from
a cough to pneumonia, or from bron-
chiaI irritation to a clotted lung.
Even a slight misstep or bit of care
lessness may be the origin OF fatal
pneumonia.
The best treatment is often un-
willingly carried forth or recklessly
resisted.
Heat is the true antidote to grip"
as well as to cold. Hot chocolate, hot
coffee, hot tea-not hot toddy or hot
liquors-hot water, hot blankets. hot
milk-in brief, heat inside and out
side, may abort or at least prevent
the complication and long duration
of this twentieth century plague
when drug treatments woefully fail.
Nasal and throat washes. such as
diluted alkaline, antiseptic liquids,
should be used with discretion. Mus
tard plasters and other counter irri-
tants should be applied to the chest
Internal antiseptics, such as hexa-
methylenetetramine with citrate OF
lithia, five grains of each every four
hours in a glassful of milk or water
may rescue your sorely pressed an
atomy from this pestilentiaI invasion.
CCopy't, 1917, by Newspaper Feature Servicel.