EUCALYPTUS VERSUS LA GRIPPE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 1 December 1891, Page 3

EUCALYPTUS VERSUS LA GRIPPE.

(to the editor of the manawatd herald.) >Sra, — I propose by your leave to call attention to the claim of the odour or scent of the Blue Gum. as a disinfectant against" La Grippe, a species of influenza. As we at present stand there is no hope, no alteration proposed, no remedy found to contend against the prevailing epidemic, each and all are awaiting with the greatest calmness they can muster their turn to fall victims, only hoping in their case it will be a mild form of -the disease. Le met relate our family experience : — lt is now quit© four years ago since a friend directed our attention to the " Extract of Eucalpti" as a cure for colds, influenza, or asthma, and we have used it for all these ailments with a success so perfect, a relief and cure as sure that our faith in it is unbounded, to inhale it just as a severe attack is coming on is almost sure to kill the cold. From this experience I ask why may we not rely upon it to contend against La Grippe ; my firm belief is that the odour kills the vaccilii or microbe. Of the ability of this powerful odour of blue gum to contend against malaria, the best recorded fact is shown in the disinfection of the Pontini marshes near Rome, which were uninhabitable, so deadly was the mai laria ; but after thousands of blue gums were planted people can now live upon and occupy the land. Some may say they dislike the smell, but on the other hand if the medical authorities advised all to disinfect their persons and dwellings with common carbolic acid, would not the practice be general, and the stronger the scent the more safe each would feel. I say let us try blue gum ; hang small branches in our houses and carry bruised leaves in our pockets, then every time we in* halo its strong adour we shall hope to escape the dread disease. This much at least will be gained -we shall all hope and not fear ; fear has j caused the death of thousands, while hop*e has saved many a life. Let us all try it, the trouble is little, the cost is nothing, and should we succeed, our experience would be valuable beyond all comparison. Sir, even to try it is a benefit to the common community. — I am, &c, John W. Gower.