EXTRACT XL. 



INFLUENZA. 



A continuation in the domain of "the -practice of medicine " 

 and clinical experience of the views already formulated 

 on the cerebro-spinal circulation, etc. 



THE term influenza is of Italian origin, and refers to 

 the epidemic aspect of the disease recognised by that name, 

 hinting at a belief in astrological influences as the origin 

 of this most truly typical epidemic, and now, in this 

 country, endemic, disease. The French la grippe is ex- 

 pressive of the manner and nature of its attack. 



Neither term expresses anything as to the real nature 

 of the ailment, both are delightfully indefinite, but pass 

 current with the public, and, for that part, with the medical 

 profession itself, as great realities. During the hurry and 

 bustle of the progress of an epidemic, and even during 

 the long sequence of years in which it has been endemic 

 of late, no expressive name or title has been suggested 

 for it. 



In the light of what has been said in these pages 

 previously, influenza may be described as a disease owing 

 its existence to the influence and operation of a subtle 

 poison, microbic or otherwise we may now conclude that 

 it is microbic acting, primarily, on the nervous system, 

 both central and peripheral, and, secondarily, on the 

 various ' ' systems," organs, and structures of the body 

 generally. 



It must be understood as almost entirely effecting its 

 entrance into the bodies of its victims aerially from a con- 



