The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-10-12
SPANISH
 INFLUENZA

of recent origin as numerous refer | ences to the ailment are found in the works of ancient physicians, and 1t l has appeared from time to time since | the dawn of history. During the last | three centuries very accurate de- | scriptions have been written detailing | the various characteristics and leav- ing no doubt as to the similarity with 1 the present epidemic. In practical l ly all of the standard medical direc- | tories detailed reference is made to the influenza, sometimes described as La Grippe, a medical term much misused in recent years inasmuch as it has been applied with more or less frequency to comparatively light colds. Perhaps the most interesting accounts of the disease, it's past rav- ages, symptoms and proper methods of treatment are found in the ''Medi- cal Dictionary" published in London by A. & c. Black, the Encyclopedia Brittanica, and in other popular but authentic reference works.
 The influenza has at all times been regarded as fulfilling all conditions of an epidemic in it's sudden invasion. | rapid and complete spread and speedy and complete disappearance. Among the chief epidemics are those in ! 1857, 1782, 17S2, 17S7, 1903, 1893, | 1888, 1847 and 1889. Hundreds of the worlds foremost men represent ing all fields of endeavor, have fallen | victims to the disease at different per | iods. Among these may be men, 1 tioned Oliver Cromwell, who died dur | ing one of the minor epidemics. In several of the instances mentioned the disease apparently had it's inception | in some sections of the Far East | travelling through Asia and thence westward with little warning and l great speed, in very much the same way as cholera, although the two dis eases have no other points of similar | ity.
 | The word influenza" is of Italian origin, and dates from the seven teenth century, when it was believed l that the disease was due to the inf1u- ence of the stars. The term spread to other countries and has since been | generally accepted although there is, of course, no reason for crediting the superstition. Other terms have been applied, the English papers in 1889 referring to it as "the deadly f1ue," and it has also been known as three day fever" and by other descriptions. l Once Russia instead of Spain re- ceived credit for the influenza, and it was known as the Russian inf1uen- "a. Some scientists have maintained that the disease is partly due to cli- matic changes, and variations in the atmosphere but the spread of the epidemic at different times and in all climates discounts this theory. One thing is certain the spread is largely from person to person and the in | fluenza germ or bacillus is one of the most malignant known to the scientific world.
 In some of the epidemics recorded in history the influenza has spread | throughout the whole of Europe in the course of six weeks, and wherever it appears the entire community has always suffered to a greater or less extent, irrespective of age or posi- tiDn. The disease has casionally appeared in fleets far at sea, and away from all connections with land
 disabling them from service. This was true in 17S2 when Admiral Kem- penfelt was obliged to retire with his
 fleet from the coast of France to Eng land, and at the same time the squa- 1 dron commanded by Lord Anson near the coast of Holland was forced to return to the home port. However the epidemic of 1889 is of the great est interest at this time.
 In that year, the disease had its inception in Russia and according to standard medical works fully two thirds of the population of St. Peters burg were stricken at that time, the deaths mounting to enormous figures. In Berlin one-third of the people in the city were i'll, and in London one out of every seven. There are sev- eral different types of influenza and many of the patients in England at that. time suffered from the nervous prostration, and melancholia and a general depression of the nervous system were much in evidence. At the present time the chief danger is from pneumonia, which often sets in as a complication, and is usually far more likely to be fatal than ordin- ary cases of pneumonia. However, with proper precautions and care the influenza is not to be seriously feared and the duration of an epidemic in any locality is usually but from four . to six weeks.
 ,i That symptoms of the influenza, the sudden chills, aching in the limbs, severe headaches, watering of the , eyes, sneezing and coughing are very similar to those experienced during a severe cold. However, the disease is , far more serious in it's effects. I'm mediately on being attacked a person should go to bed, the pulse will usu- ally be considerably below normal and the temperature above. Usually severe pains and a generally fever ish condition are noticeable. The patient should be isolated from oth- CTS in the family, and above all else quiet repose and rest are desirable. Persons taking care of influenza pa tients should keep the face turned away from the person who Is ill The germs are spread largely by cough ing, sneezing and forciful speaking;
 the bacillus being shot forth by the force of the concusslon. It is wisa to invariably cough or sneeze in d handkerchief, which should be burn ed, or destroyed in such a way that the disease will not be communicated elsewhere.
 It is always desirable to consult l physician but in case where the serv- ices of one are not obtainable, the