Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory InvestigationsUniversity of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
History
Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
University of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
Influenza; Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919
One of the greatest epidemics of influenza began in 1836 and extended
until 1837, and was called at this time epidemic catarrh. It began in
England in January, spread to France, and during all the time that it
was in Paris there were continual penetrating rains with cold and
humidity. At Montpelier on February 20, 1837, the thermometer passed
from 12 to 15 degrees above to 2 and 3 degrees below zero, and it was
then that La Grippe appeared suddenly. In reply to the circular letter
sent out by the Council of the Provincial Medical Association of
England, comprising 18 questions, the following opinions prevailed. The
disease was greatest from September to February; the great prevalence of
the epidemic in all parts of the kingdom was recognized—attacks were
irrespective of age, sex or temperament; it was milder in children, and
the aged suffered most from it. Further, the disease was extensive in
all neighborhoods; the mortality was 1 in 50, old age predisposed to
fatal termination, and the duration of the disease occupied two periods,
one terminating in 4 or 5 days and one in 5 to 14 days. Also relapses
were frequent; those exposed to employment in the open air were not more
liable to the disease than others; there was no proof of the disease
being communicated from one person to another, and influenza aggravated
an existent pneumonia or pulmonary phthisis. And finally previous
attacks of influenza offered no protection; the symptoms were uniform;
the most common of unusual symptoms were those of meningitis,
inflammation of the lungs and syncope, and aside from ordinary care and
treatment, general venesection was not endorsed. Evidence of fine
weather and good telluric conditions were at this time also appended.
The same symptoms and complications, particularly those of the lungs,
occurred irrespective of seasons, civilization or place. It was believed
and stated that the plague described in Homer was probably influenza.
For the first time there is noticed here a point well worth
consideration—the association of other epidemics with influenza, either
anticipating, following or superseding. That some such association may
follow the present pandemic is not to be entirely ignored. For example,
cholera is already reported as prevailing abroad, following an earlier
influenza outbreak. During the period, as if anticipating bacteriology,
one writer explained the epidemic in an article called “The Dust of
Regular Winds,” and Groves (1850) wrote on “Epidemics Examined, or
Living Germs as a Source of Disease.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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