Influenza (La Grippe).—­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.

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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.”