The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-02-17
SLEEPING SICKNESS
FOLLOWS INFLUENZA
According to Professor Sanarelh, the
Distinguished Italian Bacteri-
ologist

Rome, Feb. l6.-Sleeping sickness, or
sleeping headache, as the Italian scien.
lists prefer to call the malady which
has appeared in Rome and several other
Italian cities. is believed by Professor
Giuseppe Sanarelli. the distinguished
Italian bacteriologist, to be the same as
that which followed other waves of in
fluenza. Pope Benedict Nil. died from
influenza in 1890 The after effects of
the epidemic at that time were so bane-
ful that his successor. Benedict NV.
waived the fasting of churchmen during
Lent and similar action was taken by
Pope Leo XIII. in 1890 when there was
another wave of influenza, or la grippe.
Professor Sanarelli, who has been
studying the disease. says that the best
way TO avoid sleeping sickness Is TO
keep the powers of resistance up to the
highest point. as ii seems to attack
chiefly persons who are in a rundown
condition. He also warns the public
not to be unduly alarmed about the
disease. and saws he is unwilling to
concede il is highly communicable or
contagious until the actual cause of
the malady is determined. And he does
not think the germ will be discovered
until after extensive experimentation
with the brains of monkeys, such an
expensive work that il can be carried
on only with the aid OF the millions of
some philanthropic millionaire like
John D. Rockefeller.
Professor Sanarelli saws because of
the sporadic appearance of the disease
it is reasonable to assume many per
sons carry the germs but are immune
TO the disease until there is some sud
den let down in their physical condition
which overcomes their power Of resist
ance. As the maladysalways makes its
appearance at the same season as in
fantile paralysis and cerebro spinal
meningitis, or spotted fever. and as II
persists in reappearing occasionally be.
tween epidemics, Professor Sanarelli
saws it.. is not strange that II Is ire
auently believed to be Identical with
them. However. he thinks it is quite
distinct disease. as it is confined chiefly
to adults and does not leave the serious
effects of cerebro- spinal meningitis.
The malady has been diagnosed IN
widely scattered parts Of the world in
1917. 1918 and 1919. At least 100 cases
were reported from English cities IN
1918. but il died out in June. Until
this wear il had not been reported IN
Italy since 1889 and 1900. when II ap
peared in Mantua Many persons died
then after few days. sometimes even
hours. Of lethargic sleep which could
not be overcome. Bulgaria also had an
epidemic at that time and cases oc-
CURED in the United States
In most cases the illness begins with
mental depression. which Is followed
by sleSpiness which develops into COM
plete prostration. Dropping Of the eve
lids and frequently q crossing Of the
eyes occur Loud talk and even shak
ing will not arouse patients suffering
acutely with the malady. who answer
incohcrently TO al inquiries and fall
Immediately into sleep again. The face
i generally coiorless and devoid 81 ex
preston.
Professor Ssnareiii j. a member Of
the faculty % the University 81 Boio-
rua and vas formerly professor Of
n zero biology and public hygiene a. the
University ii Moutevidco He was
also FORMERLY under secretary % state
for agriculture IN Italy