Influenza : $b An epidemiologic studyVaughan, Warren T. (Warren Taylor)
History
Influenza : $b An epidemiologic study
Vaughan, Warren T. (Warren Taylor)
Influenza
Telling and Hann describe another clinical diagnosis of influenza, the
diagnosis being concurred in by Sir James Goodhart and Sir Clifford
Allbutt. The onset was absolutely sudden at a supper party on November
10, 1912. The patient had a slight rigor, and was compelled to go to
bed. In the night he had a longer and more severe rigor, with a
temperature of 103°. On the following morning he dressed, but another
chill sent him back to bed with a temperature still 103°, pulse 110,
regular, and remarkably dicrotic. There was no cough and no sore throat.
Another chill occurred in the evening. On November 12th the patient had
two chills, the temperature remaining steadily at 103° to 104°. The
patient complained much of nausea but did not vomit. On November 13th
the temperature remained up, there was no chill on this day; the spleen
was large and easily felt for the first time. On the 14th note was made
that there was no headache. On the 15th, 16th and 17th the temperature
began to fluctuate. On the 18th there were two severe rigors, and by the
19th the temperature suddenly fell to normal, with drenching sweat.
Throughout there was nothing to suggest pneumonia, and typhoid fever
appears to have been successfully ruled out.
An epidemic of influenza which prevailed in the city of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, from December to February of 1907 and 1908, has been
described by J. A. Lichty. He says that the epidemic was as widespread,
though probably not quite as severe, as the pandemic of 1889. Whole
families, including servants and all associated with the household, were
afflicted in rapid succession. The onset was sudden and severe, the
usual symptoms of pain, all over, being most pronounced. The temperature
did not go unusually high, nor did it seem to be in accord with the
severity of the symptoms when the patient took to his bed. In typical
cases the attack lasted from two to three or four days. Peculiar to this
epidemic seemed to be the general complaint of sore throat. Upon
examination the throat rarely showed any other evidence of an abnormal
condition than a rather dark cyanotic blush, which was most intense over
the tonsils and faded out over the roof of the mouth. This was rarely
associated with any swelling or fever. Sinusitis and otitis media seem
to have been the two most frequent complications. The disease appeared
to be particularly fatal for chronic invalids. It was highly contagious.
Many of those physicians who were frequently exposed to the disease fell
victims.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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