The Washington times., 1918-10-06


Sprays forth lots OF the microbes, which
spread the infection rapidly unless handled
with the greatest precaution.
A thick, tenacious sputum of a whitish
mucoid character distinguishes this new
disease from the well-known old Influenza
with its greenish sputum. This also dis
tinguishes Spanish influenza from pneumo-
mia, with its typical rusty colored tough
expectoration."
Failure Of intestinal action, q restricted
flow of the kidney fluids and a want of
appetite nlay a large role In the charac-
teristic signs and symptoms OF Spanish
influenza.
If you take close notice OF the several
differences between this new malady and
the old influenza, you will observe that the
fever is sharper. higher, but OF shorter
duration; the total course Of the new
scourge is briefer: there are fewer stomach
or intestinal symptoms in the Spanish
influenza, whereas in the previously known
influenza gastro-intestinal disturbances
we're predominant
A most important discovery has Just
been made with regard to this disease
The specific microbe which causes It has
been definitely isolated. This is a complete
disproof OF the assertion in some medical
publications that the bacillus was the
same as that of the old influenza or grip.
This interesting discovery is due TO the
researches of three English army sur.
geons, Captains T. r. Little, c. j. Garafalo
and p A. williams, OF the Canadian Mo-
bile Psychological Laboratory, attached
to the British base hospitals.
The last great pandemic of grip, or In
fuenza, lasted three years, from 1889 until
1892. It spread like wildfre over the
civilized world during that period. Then
several American psychologists at work
simultaneously and Professor Pfeiffer dis
covered the grip germ, or influenza bacil-
lus, which has since been confirmed and
esta ablished as the specific cause of the
colds, pains, backaches and other classical
symptoms OF the old-time grip.
The present scourge, 1t was soon found,
is much more malignant and entirely diff
ferent from the other.
The manner in which the bacterial agent
which causes this plague was run to earth
is a model of the meteorological skill, su-
premacy, efficiency and patience OF the
English and American medical STATS.
II was recognized that the rapidity with
which the contagion spread pretty well
pointed to some microbe or bacterium as
the guilty party. II was also argued that
the causative agent must lurk at least a
large part Of the time in or near the air
passages of the victim.
The coughs, the sputum the pneumonia
and bronchitis complications. the spray
from the nose and throat as it came in
direct contact with the men or reached
them through plates, dishes and linens,
seemed to invite archaeological searches
and microscopic studies
Fortunately, for all of us on this side of
the ocean, medical science has succeeded in
and identifying the germs in just
that way at the very beginning of the
American epidemic, which is therefore like
ly to be nipped in the bud.
The new bacillus is not in the blood
Cultivation Of it is impossible from this
source. 1t IS lucky that so demoniacal a
bug does not penetrate the delicate fluid
tissue OF man. Then its malignancy
would perhaps be tenfold
However, when the bacteriologists ex-
plored the discharges and excretions from
the nose, the pharynx and the throat, 10
and behold! their pioneer work was at
last rewarded.
Spread upon glass and examined under
a magnihcation Of 1900 times. a new
living world opened up before
their astonished gaze.
A Veritable beehive of trembling, vibrat-
ing bacilli almost as round and as small
and resembling the diplococcus OF meningi
It's loomed up beneath the high magnifca
tions Of the microscope. A diplococcus is
a type OF microbe in which two disc-like
shapes are attached to one another.
At the poles or opposing ends of this
myriad of tiny germs their torpedo, blunt
noses were f1attened out to make them al
most biscuit shaped