La Grippe in Wellington.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8096, 23 December 1897, Page 4

La Grippe in Wellington.

The epidemic of influenza in Wellington has assumed alarming proportions, sufferers from it being now numbered by hundreds. A representative of the Evening Post has waited upon two of the local doctors, with the usual result that they were found to disagree. Dr Ewart expressed the opinion that there were no signs of an epidemic, but that the prevalent troubles were seasonable ones in the shape of colds, for which the time of the year would be sufficient to account. The other medical gentleman, Dr Martin, was most emphatic in his belief in the power of the influenza microbe. "He recalled the interesting fact that he had for treatment the first two cases cf influenza subjects reported in the colony. That was in 1888, and the subjects were two storemen who had been engaged in unpacking soft goods just received from England. The doctor was very much puzzled at the time by the symptoms, and it was afterwards proved that the microbes had been imported in cases of soft goods. He has noticed that almost annually since then we have had more or less mild attacks of influenza, and he does not think the colony will be rid of it until the microbe is destroyed." He said in answer to v somewhat superfluous question after what he had just stated that he certainly believed in the presence of a, microbe, and one that has in it all the power of creating a dangerous epidemic. It attacks, he said, in various forms, and there is also the real danger that it may get at the lungs. Influenza, therefore, demands respectful consideration. The doctor does not seem to have referred to what must have come under even lay observation — viz., the tendency of influenza to seize upon any weak part in the frame and precipitate a crisis. There is an opening here for colonial bacteriologists. Influenza has evidently come to stay. Its periodicity points to some recurrent cause, which should be demonstrated and the antitoxin for it found. Dr Martin says wholeBale treatment cannot be recommended ; for the different forms of the attack and the systems of sufferers must all be taken into consideration. There is evidently a great deal to be learned of the pathology of this scourge.

Reuter's Calcutta correspondent reports that the war on the frontier hag cost 3J crores of rupees (about ,£2,300,000). If your hand cannot be carefully employed, attend to the cultivation of your mind and be careful of your feet. Wear only Hennessy's Dependable Boots. Ladies' Evening Shoes from 2a 6d, Ladies' Walking Shoes from 4s 6d, Men's Working Boots 8s 6d.— Advt.