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INFLUENZA (La Grippe)

Categories: Infectious Diseases

La Grippe is an acute infectious disease caused by
a germ. It may be epidemic, attacking a large number of persons at one

time, or it may continue in the same region for some time and is then

called endemic. It is caused by a germ, discovered by a man named

Pfeiffer.



The Onset. The onset may be from one to four days and is usually sudden

with a chill and all the symptoms of an active fever due to a general

infection, varying according to the location. If in the organs of

respiration it begins like a severe cold; active fever, severe pains in

the eyes, back, arms, legs, and in the bones; "aches all over" and great

prostration. After the fever subsides there is usually a general sore

feeling. Symptoms of bronchitis, pleurisy or pneumonia may develop. Then

there is the nervous type, generally with a bad headache, neuralgia, pains

in the head, backache, legs and arms ache and prostration. May also have

inflammation of nerves. Then again the stomach and bowels may be the main

seat, for La Grippe has no respect for any organ. We have then symptoms of

acute indigestion with fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains or acute

bowel trouble with fever, colicky pain in the abdomen; diarrhea; or we may

have the febrile (fever) type. This may be the only symptom. The fever may

be continuous or remittent, and last several days or several weeks and

often with pains accompanying it.



In all forms convalescence is often gradual on account of the bodily and

mental prostration with general soreness for several days. Many persons

never fully regain their health, especially if they are careless during

the attack, and almost any disease like bronchitis, kidney disease,

pleurisy, pneumonia, etc., may follow.





LA GRIPPE, Mothers' Remedies. 1. Pepper, Red or Cayenne for. "Make a tea

of red pepper or cayenne, and take a tablespoonful in a cup of hot water,

drink slowly, before each meal and on retiring. Larger doses in proportion

to the intensity of the disease." Sponging the face, temples and neck with

water as hot as can be borne relieves the headache of la grippe, which is

often very painful and annoying.



2. La Grippe, Easy Remedy for. "Plenty of good physic with hot teas of

any kind has helped my own family."



3. La Grippe, Pleasant and Effective Remedy for. "Use the oil of

peppermint freely; rubbing it on the forehead, in front and back of the

ears and each side of the nose. Inhale through each nostril separately. If

the throat is affected pour two or three drops in small dish of hot water.

Invert a funnel over the dish with the small end in the mouth and draw

long breaths. Soak the feet in hot water at bedtime and take a good sweat,

if possible."



4. La Grippe, To Allay Fever in. "To produce sweating and to act on the

kidneys and to allay restlessness in fever use the following: Lemon juice

and water equal parts, enough to make four ounces; bicarbonate of

potassium, one dram; water, three ounces. Make and keep in separate

solutions to be used in tablespoonful doses several times daily and taken

while effervescing, that is, foaming and bubbling up."



5. La Grippe. Poor Man's Herb Vapor Bath for. "Give a Turkish or vapor

bath every other day. A pail of hot water, with a hot brick thrown into it

and placed under a cane-seated chair is the poor man's vapor bath. The

patient should be covered. Then take the following herb tea:



Yarrow 2 ounces

Vervain 2 ounces

Mullein 2 ounces

Boneset 1 ounce

Red Sage 2 ounces



Add two quarts of water and boil down to three pints; strain, and then add

one ounce fluid extract of ginger; sweeten with honey or syrup; take a

wine glassful three times a day, hot. Keep the bowels open and let the

diet be light."



6. La Grippe, Red Pepper Treatment From Canada for. "Take a bottle of

alcohol and put enough red peppers in it so that when four drops of this

liquid are put in a half cup of water it tastes strong. This is what I

always break up my grippe with." Peppers thus prepared stimulates and

warms up the stomach and bowels, and increases the circulation.







PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for La Grippe. All discharges from the nose, throat

and lungs should be disinfected, for the disease is contagious. Go to bed

and stay there. You have no business to be around if you value your

health. I am not writing of common cold. A great many people say they have

had this disease when they have not had it. One who has had this disease

is sick enough to go to bed, and there is where he should be. For the

chill a sweat should be produced by putting hot water in fruit jars,

wrapping them and placing them around the patient's feet, legs and body.

Hot tea drinks can be given; hot lemonade, teas made from hoarhound,

ginger, hops and catnip are good.



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