South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-06

~ he hrst really serious epidemic of
disease produced by the great war
is that called ~ths Spanish indu-
snEa.- which has caused depiorabie NOR
hiity In New York and New England.
AZ the outset Il should be said that the
term Spanish inhuenza" "a clearly an
ETroE, and that the name should be Ger
man influenza" for Investigation proves
hat the disease originated IN the German
trenches. II has since made tour OF the
entire civilized world, In the course OF
which &c broke out with especial severity
IN Spain, owing 20 certain local conditions.
The French, noting it's ravages in Spain.
and not having suffered very badly them
selves. gave II the title Spanish inhu-
enza."
That Chis should be the only epidemic
disease produced by the world war is a
remarkable proof OF the protection Afforded
10 as BY modern medicine and hygiene.
After nearly all other great wars. as a re-
suit OF the misery. starvation and enfeeble-
ment OF the population, there have been
great outbreaks OF pestilence. which have
aepopulsted cities and even countries.
The disease generally known as the
bubOnio plague" Is the great plague which
caused the great ravages OF past war
lpOohs. It's cost in human lives has not
beenbless than two billions In addition, out
breaks OF smallpox, cholera, typhus and
yellow fever have followed facilitating
vars.
Fortunately our enormous progress in
medicine and our material resources for
combating disease give assurance that no
plague epidemic OF such magnitude as
those OF the past can occur in America at
the present tirne.
How widespread has been the outbreak
pf Spanish influenza is shown by the fact
that our Assistant Secretary OF the Navy.
Franklin d. Roosevelt, suffered from It,
while, az about the time he was recovering
the youngest son OF the King or Sweden
died OF It
The first known advent OF the influenza
In this country occurred when the Nor
wegian ship Bergensfjord arrived al New
York on August IL with twenty-five cases.
three OF whom died. but there we're prob
ably other sources Of infection, apart from
the report that the German U-boats sur
reptidously disseminated the infection in
this country. Independent sources OF in
lection, apparently. reached Boston and
New England. where the disease ragged
most alarmingly, causing seventy deaths
in one day and 5000 cases at the Camp
Devens military camp.
And now Just what happens TO the suf-
terer from Spanish influenza? From obser-
vations OF one thousand soldiers II was
found that from one 10 three days after
contact or approach 10 others who had he
disease a feverish state began. This fever
rose steadily until on the second or third
day afterwards. II was as high as occurs
IN pneumonia. In many cases Il went as
high az 104 deg Fair Indeed. Il is ap-
parent that one Of the most common as
we'll as the most dangerous complications
is that Of pneumonia
The disease starts with a chill or chills
that may shake the whole room you're IN
Severe headaches, with pains IN the legs,
n the groin. I'm the neck Ia the spine and
In the small OF the back are generally
present
Then "that tired feeling" named by doc
tors general malaise.' takes charge OF the
sufferers anatomy The victim feels
Wretched all over. Fever blisters. those
frequent accomplishments OF pneumonia. OF
meningitis and OF tertian malaria. break
ut" on the sufferers lips
The face becomes flushed, a thermom-
ter stuck under the tongue registers 102
10 104 degrees, and the victim as well as
bis doctors knows he's In FOR Il badly
Spanish influenza cures or kills" IN
liberty motor speed. Within four days the
worst Is usually over. About the second
day the abrupt crisis takes place. On the
fourth day the patient is either as we'll as
be ever was. or pneumonia or another com
phcauon asserts It's dangerous presence.
harsh cough Is frequently encountered