The sun., 1918-09-24
INFLUENZA IN GERMANY.
what Is Known and what Is Not
Known About the Elusive Germ.

The epidemic OF Spanish" influenza
has not spared any part Of Germany,
and a circular has been issued by the
authorities to all the leading bac-
teriologists In that country request
ing Information as to the results of
their laboratory Investigations con-
corning the identity of the germ. The
answers. which contain conflicting re-
suits, are occupying much space In
the newspapers and medical Journals
At Breslau the germ Is being sought
by Pfelfer, whose influenza bacillus
Is associated with grip; but he has
reserved his hnal opinion as to the
relationship of this epidemic with
those of 1889 and 1912, for he has
found the influenza bacillus in only
a few OF the cases treated at his
clinic. That the germ is one of the
most elusive In disclosed by reports
from other parts OF Germany.
From Munich Professor Gruber an
swered: Influenza bacilli not found
hitherto; Investigations proceeding"
Among the most important investiga-
lions are those reported from the
Virchow Hospital. Berlin, where a
large number OF infectious cases are
under observation. The physicians In
charge. while insisting on the relation
ship between this epidemic and those
, Of 1889 and 1891, have been unable TO
find Pfeiffer's bacillus of influenza. ex-
cept In n few instances; but a variety
, OF germs usually present in bronchitis
and pneumonia have been recovered
from the sputum and the blood Of the
sick.
The same contradictory results have
been reported by physicians of Frank
fort. Strassburg and other German
cities.
| II is believed that the influenza
bacillus Is really responsible for the
epidemic Of Spanish" grip, and that it
is evading capture on account OF
faulty methods Of investigation, al
though the possibility that 1t is a diff
ferent disease. though clinically re-
sembiing grip. is not overlooked. In
this connection 1t is pointed out that
a germ, especially like those OF infiu-
enza and pneumonia may undergo
changes Of its usual character. and not
be detected until some means of recog-
nizing its new shape had been discov-
cred. In Munich the medical society
came to the conclusion that this was
| in fact the case. and that the failure
to find the influenza bacillus was en-
tirely according to precedent" Thus
Pfeiffer's bacillus. which was the cause
Of the epidemic Of 1889 and 1891. was
not isolated until 1892. Another reason
for thinking that Spanish" infiuenza
is really grip is that persons under
80 years OF age mainly fall victims tc
the disease. This was attributed to 8
survival OF immunity In the older gen.
Grafton. who had already experienced
the malady and had thence developed
powers OF resistance.
The leading medical weekly Of Ger
many In an article on the Bacteria
logical Character Of the Spanish Dis
ease" states that In nearly every case
a new germ has been found in associa-
ton with the pneumonia bacillus. and
regards this as the agent of dua
infection in Spanish influenza. If this
result is confirmed it will throw ;
most important light upon the nature
of the present epidemic.
The spread of the disease among
the civilian population has made q
serious impression in Germany. The
symptoms seem to grow worse witt
time. 1t is said that there is som'
relation between them and measles anc
other conta gious diseases, and II thi:
4 may be accepted as evidence OF thu
epidemic nature Of the malady som,
modification Of the rather favorable
reports Of its danger may be neces