THE HISTORY OF INFLUENZA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 18 July 1925, Page 8

THE HISTORY OF INFLUENZA

One has heard of influenza again, but luckily not of those dangerous forms known a few years back. It was then thought that a new ami terrible disease was visiting mankind, but if, was soon established that it was but a, fresh outbreak id what has been known for centuries (points out the .Manchester Guardian). As early as 1580 an epidemic velerred to as "sleeping malady" was known, which was no other than our influenza, when it/ attacks the head. 11 was again observed in London in 1774-5. No less a. person than Isaac Newton made its acquaintance, and the French name for it. "la grippe." first turned up (lien. Its meaning and derivation are just what, one would suppose—the verb "gripper" means lo seize. The name "influenza. known since 1733. means "influence." and the thought is of flic influence of the stars o-n human destiny. This "influence’' is often referred to in the eighteenth century. and South Russia and Astrachan were, considered to be the source of the epidemic. It is interesting that, at this time the philosopher Kant suggested that the sickness was produced bv "baleful insects," which were introduced into Western Europe by trade with Russia, and that his view found approval with the medical world of Vienna. In Paris there was a popular song. "Lu grippe is' the fashion in Paris.” Another great outbreak occurred in the thirties of the nineteenth cent ury, and in that of 1889-91 the Breslau scientist Richard Pfeifer made the observations which led to the discovery of the Pfeifer bacillus, since when we know tlmt'influenza is an infectious disease.