The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1890.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2779, 6 May 1890, Page 2

The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1890.

Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

Lα Grippe is frightening many in New Zealand if we may judge by numerous references in the papers. The fright is quite unnecessary. Considerable inconvenience is caused by the epidemic, but it is little more dangerous than the ordinary influenza of which many believe it to be only another form. The mortality in Europe has been confined alrilost entirely to the weak and the aged, as with influenza and other diseases of a similar well-known kind. The suddenness with which La Grippe makes its appearance and the rapidity with which it spreads, are the causes of an alarm which the sickness itself does not justify.

The common influenza is attributed to a slow chill, the fruitful cause of all colds and the ills to winch they give rise. The sudden chill so generally dreaded, is seldom injurious if not allowed to last. No chill for, example, could be more sudden than a cold plunge bath, yet this is one of the best safeguards against catarrhal complaints if care be taken subsequently to restore warmth by hard rubbing. The thing to be really guarded against is the slow, continued chill, such as that which follows from sitting in clamp clothes or wet shoes. No one however strong or healthy, can afford to risk the possible consequences of such carelessness, and none should attempt to do so where they can be avoided. To keep the body iu sound health is always the best safeguard against any epidemic raging at the time. La Grippe is not in itself infectious but believed to be the result of minute germs or bacteria pervading the air and attacking all whose condition renders them favourable to their growth. Orginating in Russia where the disease ran like wildfire through the country, it quickly spread to Europe and made way as often against the prevailing wind as with it. As a consequence of its origin, the disease cannot be isolated. It is in the air and must run its course till the bacteria themselves perish and the surrounding conditions become unfavourable to their popuration. The duration of an attack seldom exceeds eight days. The fever and other distressing symptoms vanish, but the patient is left weak, and requires careful feeding and guarding against colds which would then be unusually dangerous. During the attack thorp arc all the symptons of influoiiwi or aggravated catarrh ; with liradaeiie, much tightness of (he elicsl", and a good deal of fo,ver. In this stage the diet perscribed is chiefly milk and soda water, with toast or other li"ht food easily digestible. The medicines most favoured in the earliest stage are Antipyrin and Quinine. The first is sold in tablets but it is so dangerous that not more than two or three doses should, on any account, be taken except under medical supervision. For [the rest, no ono need care if in

ordinarily good health, but the safest plan is to lis in bed for two or three days, keeping the room well ventilated, and using a spray of sulphuric acid where practicable.

We give this information, learned from the latest English papers, because so much of an alarming character is being constantly written and telegraphed. The alarm is quite uncalled for and unjustifiable. There is good reason to believe, despite all the fuss made about it, that La Grippe, is no new visitor. Epidemics of very severe influenza have occurred, especially last year, in Wellington. They left the patient weak and presented many of the aggravated symptoms of La Grippe, but no one thought of regard ing them as dangerous or in any way exceptional. With ordinary care and ordinary precautions, no one need regard, with much concern, the approaches of this much talked of disease, or trouble themselves about it.