CHAPTER XXXV 



MICROBE OF THE INFLUENZA 



THE term influenza, as here used, signifies a 

 special affection of the nasal organs. Occasionally 

 it extends to the throat, but usually it is confined 

 to the cavities of the nose. Rarely, if ever, is it 

 attended with any cough, or soreness of the throat. 

 A distinct species of microbe is the cause. Fig. 

 70. The period of incubation, like that of the 

 cold, is from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. 

 Like the cold, it may last three days or three weeks. 

 In other respects it is widely different from the 

 cold. The cold comes on gradually, the influenza 

 suddenly. Its onset is terrific like a hurricane. 

 Violent sneezing, profuse secretions follow one 

 another in rapid succession. The spasms may be 

 repeated once, or several times, a day. 



I know what I say. A barber clipped my mus- 

 tache. From his clippers I breathed influenza 

 foes. In forty-eight hours in my nasal cavities 

 came a thunder storm. It whizzed and buzzed. 

 It roared, and it poured. Twice, or more, every 

 day for two weeks, this head tornado recurred. It 

 left as suddenly as it came. Never since have I 

 seen the inside of the " deadly barber's shop." 



This is the influenza. It numbers its victims by 

 the thousands. 



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