THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7469, 7 February 1890, Page 2

THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

By Dβ Alfred Wrights Medical Superintendent of the District Hospital, Westpobjt, N.Z.

As it is thought to be probable that we shall ere longbe visited by the same serious epidemic which has lately prostrated, and indeed proved fatal, to so many thousands of people in Europe and America, a short account of the history, and what we know of the etiology of this disease, as well as suggestions as to the beet measures t o employ for its prevention and treatment, will doubtless be somewhat interesting at the present time to the readers of the Weekly Press. The last great outbreak of influenza which occurred, was succeeded in Great Britain in a few months by the great cholera plague which destroyed in England alone nearly 60,000 lives* Ido not mean to imply tha£ there wtpsany connection between thetme epidemic and the other but mention the fact to show the fearful mortality which the diseases caused in the short space of two years—lß47 to 1849. It is stated that in a single day influenza spread over every part of London and affected over half a million persons, the mortality being very large. The origin, piogreee, and decline of influenza were then, anta for some time subsequently closely investigated, and were the subjects of much controversy; many were the differences of opinion expressed by the leading members of the profession in those days as to the proper mode of treating it; for it was just about that

time when the foHy of the pernicious

system of bleeding for every conceivable ailment was being questioned by some of the more enlightened physicians. In these days it seems curious that there should ever have been doctors who would bleed a patient suffering from so depressing a disease as influenza; nevertheless it is an undoubted fact that many thousands were thus treated in the epidemic of 1847. Those patients who survived the disease with such treatment succumbed, in all probability, to cholera, which made .its appearance a few months later. "'" Though respecting the exciting causes of this, as of many other epidemics, we have to confess ourselves ignorant, yet the facts which have been gathered about the' mysterious disea&e in. question, seems, to mc to leave but little doubt that in certain morbid conditions of the atmosphere, the atomic germs of the disease are present; notwithstanding, it is stated that, when the epidemics have occurred, there has been no apparent atmospheric peculiarity, and that the sensible state of the air preceding and accompanying the same epidemic has been different in different places. Be this as it may, when once it has made its appearance it pursues a regular course from one country to another, from continent to continent, across seas and over mountains ; but this course, although regular as regards each epidemic, yet: varies with most. The first took a northwesterly course; in the second outbreak it travelled, as the present one seems to be doing—due west, and attacked whole populations almost on the same day. One epidemic, that of 1803, sped on from south to north. .

I believe the disease will not come our way this time, but will extend over the American continent, until the morbid principle which I take to be resident in and conveyed by the air, ceases to find further nidi suitable for the production of the whole of the specific phenomena which, when they occur together, are termed influenza.

Were I to describe the symptoms from first to last of the very worst cold with which any of your readers has been afflicted, the description would answer to influenza in a very mild form. The inflamation of the mucous membrane lining the air passages frequently leads to pneumonia and destroys life. Hence the fatal cases are chiefly among the aged, the very young, and those having a tendency to pulmonary disease. As for treatment, if we allow that it is of atmospheric orisjin, and seeing that it is the air passages and respiratory organs which are alone affected,, we should rely on antiseptic inhalations to cut short the disease while we support the patient with a generous diet, which should most certainly include stimulants. .

jLastly, what prophylactic measures should we employ? Aβ for preventing the disease from approaching the Australian colonies I am of opinion that, if it should set this way, there is nothing we can do to prevent its visiting our shores. But we can render ourselves individually aa little obnoxious to it as possible. ' So far science has not provided us with means to become invulnerable to " the thousand, natural shocks the flesh is heir to;" but certain precautions may be taken which will render us less liable to become victims to this as well as to other ailments. Avoid everything which has a tendency to bring or to keep the system low, and aim to maintain vigour and strength to their fullest., by the daily use of the cold bath, where it can be borne, i by plenty of exercise In the fresh air, by temperance and a generous and regular diet. I have gone thus far into the subject because I find that many colonists are somewhat exercised in their minds about it, fearing that this disease will come this way. But, as I have already shown. In all previous outbreaks of influenza it fcaa fallowed a direct coorsa in Its travels;,

under- these circumstances I think the presec* epidemic will not reach us. lam lurth&r of opinion that the vast tracts of country in Australia which are coursed by euc&y plus, if they not actually repel'the dreaded invader, would at any rate prove an effective defence against its attacks. I fail Ho find, moreover, that an epidemic of true influenza has ever been known in the Australian Colonies, though there have been severe catarrhal attacks which resembled it.