THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 443, 5 February 1890, Page 5

THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE MALADY. The R.M.s. Parramatta, which arrived at Albany on Sunday week, brings the following further, particulars of the prevalence of the influenza epidemic on the Continent : The influenza epidemic which recently appeared in Russia is now spreading west, and cases are reported from Berlin, Vienna, Copenhagen, Brussels, Paris, London, and Madrid. Similar complaints seem to have been noticed in New York. It is fortunate that the disease seems to lose strength as it moves towards the west, and the victims in Paris and Brussels do not undergo such suffering as those in Eastern Europe. The disease, which is said to be very similar to the dengue fever known in India, appears to have originated in Persia last autumn, whence it spread through Europe. In Russia the visitation was exceptionally severe. In Vienna every family has half its members abed. No less than a third of the population are said to have been struck down by the malady. In almost all the larger cities of Germany it spreads rapidly, especially in the schools, barracks, and large business establishments. 'Among the unfortunate sufferers was Field Marshal Von Moltke, who was forced to remain in bed a few days, but soon recovered. In Paris a.large number, of cases have occurred. Upwards of 300,000 people are reported as suffering from influenza. Paris has been enveloped in a dense white fog for several days, and the spread of infection is attributed to this cause. Among the sufferers are many important personages, including Madame Mon* sieurs Tirard, Spuller, de Freycinet, Rouvier, and De Faye, all Ministers, while M. Clemenceau is also on the sick list. The Marquis de Caux, the first husband of Adelina Patti, died last week from bronchitis following upon an attack of influenza, and M. Vandal Fargeraey, who was Post-master-General under the Empire, succumbed to a complication of heart disease and influenza. In London, so far as December ‘2oth, the infection has nob taken any great hold, though some cases are reported.