Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-25

vyNDER various names epidemics corre-
u sponding to epidemic influenza have oc-
Cured at irregular intervals since accurate
dissertations have been made OF disease. IL
10 likely that at still earlier times this
disease was combined and confused Win
other epidemic disorders and so did not stand
out as an entity until relatively modern
period In early English literature this
disease is spoken Of under |aS'ety OF TERMS
creighton Creighton: History of Epidemics
In britain IS94) recognizes 1t under the
name "ague," used by the British severn
teenth century authors. In 1903 Crom"eh
died from this disease, when Morton says
the country was zone vast hospitai. Inc
Italian term influenza" first came to Eng
land in association with the epidemic Oh
1743 and il has been employed In connec-
tiop with the great epidcmics of 1888, 1SA7
and 1889-9O.
About III. the French term ia grippe
came into use and has been periodically
rSyiyed ever since. The great pandemics
usually originated in the Far East and gradu-
ally extended westward. The rate of human
travel and the degree Of intercourse between
various parts of the world determined the
rapidity of the extension Besides the great
nandemics scarcely a year has passed with
out local outbreaks. which have been classed
under the term "influenZa" Whether these
are identical with the more widespread cpl
denies it is impossible to say.
TIME severity OF the disease has varied
i greatly some epdemcs are very mild
others have been severe. influenza mas
embraced America in several pandemics. In
his remarkable work on epidemic diseases.
published in Hartford in 1799 Noah webster
locates the first American epidemic of which
he could find an account In 1647. 1t passed
through the whole country and extended to
Jndia Tbara hatwaQn
and COOO deaths in Barbardos and st. kits.
In 1865 second severe epidemic occurred
in America. Benjamin Rush described an
epidemic in 1888 in Philadelphia. which was
brought there by members Of the First Con-
gress, which had assembled In New York
Daniel Drake records widespread epidemic
in the West In 1907.
The history of epidemics Of influenza does
not differ so much from that of other diseases
spread by human Intercourse that are usually
called contagious widespread epidemic
follows the introduction of a specially viru-
lent virus and there follows a general immu-
nifty among those Of the population who
have been infected. As the epidemic dies
out the infection decreases in virulence and
only sporadic cases occur. From such cases
and probably chronic carriers local outbreaks
occur, hut the general immunity prevents
any general epidemic. After period of
years a new susceptible population has
replaced the immune one, and with the intro
duction of a fresh vtrulent virus general
epidemic is again brought about. This would
account for the great susceptibility of young
persons. and 1t In twenty -eght years
since the last great epidemic we should not
expect many individuals above thirty years
of age to be now affected.
| FINHE causative agent of epidemic Influenza
J. has not been certainly recognized Tsa
| attachment OF the name "Infuenxa bacillus
| to a small bacillus described by Pfeiher In
| 1892 has been followed by it's frequent recep-
| tion as the actual specific agent There IL.
however. much uncertainty as to It's etiHlogic
| role. 1t Is to be hoped that the study OF
sthe present epidemic may lead to some GER
tain knowledge regarding the essential cause
| OF the disease. This should enable us to
| determine whether the endemic cases and
those OF limited mid epidemics are really
identical with the ones observed In the great
| periodic outbreaks
YNHE cases In the present epidemic begin
| i usually quite suddenly with pain In the
head, back. eyes. limbs ana Joints. With
tue pains there y great prostretion chilli: