Epidemic influenza: its causation and prevention

Abstract

PART ONE - MAINLY HISTORICAL: Influenza is a disease of the respiratory tract. It is characterised by an abrupt onset, pyrexia, ill defined muscular pains, and a serous or catarrhal discharge from the epithelium of the nose, pharynx, and bronchial tree. Economically it is important, as twenty per cent or more of a given population may be affected by it; taking to bed for about four days and remaining "off-colour" for two or three weeks thereafter.PART TWO - CAUSATION: During the pandemic an enormous volume of work was done on the relationship of Pfeiffer's bacillus to influenza. The results of these studies were confusing and contradictory. The bacillus was present at one stage of the disease but not at others; absent in many cases of influenza and present in many normal individuals.PART THREE - PREVENTION: With most diseases, discovery of the organism responsible has paved the way for major advances in prevention. Influenza, however, is not easy to deal with - either preventively or therapeutically.