INFLUENZA. 145 



Ten years ago influenza suddenly underwent a total change 

 of character. The antiphlogistic means formerly employed 

 with no great benefit or very flattering results, became all 

 at once a certain step towards death; the disease seemed to 

 lose much of its intensity; the pulse, which prior to this 

 time ranged between 60 and 70, with some tone about it, 

 now became weak and of increased rapidity. Sore throat 

 now showed itself as a prominent symptom, accompanied 

 with fearful and excessive debility. The appetite was fasti- 

 dious. The animal would not move to the manger for a 

 mouthful of food, but he would accept it when ofi'ered by 

 the hand ; frequently even then he would hold it between 

 his teeth without attempting to masticate, or having chewed 

 the morsel, and made it into a bolus ready to swallow, the 

 pellet would fall from between the jaws upon the ground. 

 In a few instances, sore throat, watery discharges, and ex- 

 cessive debility, were the leading symptoms. It is conse- 

 quently impossible to lay dow*n any absolute line of treatment. 

 Where debility is marked, the treatment must be very mild 

 and excessively cautious. Where the disorder, however, 

 appears with its customary tone, and exhibits some strength 

 to stand active measures, the practitioner will do well to 

 think thrice and long before he oversteps the latitude we 

 have elsewhere allowed to his operations. 



There exists no apparent disturbance of the breathing ; 

 at least to no amount that creates alarm ; and were we 

 not aware how deceitful appearances occasionally are in this 

 disorder, we should be apt to take no account of pulmonary 

 translation. 



Other symptoms often present themselves with the fore- 

 going. Now and then the disorder is ushered in by a 

 shivering fit. Many cases exhibit catarrhal symptoms : 

 that is, the membrane of the nose and eyes is reddened ; 

 and from the nostrils is poured a yellow viscid matter. 

 This matter is generally remarkable for its yellowness ; yet, 

 in some cases, it turns to a greenish hue. Sore throat is 

 in most instances an accompaniment : indeed, the pharynx, 

 larynx, and windpipe appear to suffer the brunt of the 



I. 10 



