Sulphate of quinine strongly recom mended in the treatment of influenza. Large doses should be administered in accordance with the age and tempera ment of the patient and the severity of the attack. Gene (Jour. de Med. de Bordeaux, Mar. 9, '90).
Best results obtained from diaphoresis followed by quinine. Combination of pilocarpine and morphine found to act better than antipyrine:— R Pilocarpine hydrochlorate, 'I, grain. Morphine sulphate, 'I, grain.
Water, 3 ounces.
M. Sig.: A teaspoonful every fifteen minutes, by mouth. Wood (University Med. Mag., Mar., '90).
Quinine not completely excreted from tissues for some days; 3 to 5 grains in an effervescing saline draught every three or four hours controls the course of influ enza. Large doses unnecessary; they Produce marked cardiac depression, par ticularly in elderly people. Marsh (Lan cet, Mar. 9, '95).
Quinine an almost unexceptionable preventive of influenza; 5 grains im mediately after breakfast during preva lence of epidemic. Sinclair Coghill (Brit. Sled. Jour., Apr. 6, '95).
Quinine given at proper time and in large enough doses will prevent an out break of the disease. Given to one of five squadrons of cavalry, 7 V, grains daily. Only 7 men in squadron con tracted influenza; in other four squad rons 22, 19, 32, and 42 cases, respectively, suffered. Graeser (Inter. klin. Rund., Nov. 10, '95).
Internal administration of carbolic acid recommended in cases of a mild, irregular type of influenza. After an experience of three hundred cases the writer pro nounces it very efficacious. The dose given was a teaspoonful of a I-per-cent. solution for a child of 5 years, adminis tered every two hours until decided im provement was noticed, and afterward at longer intervals. S. H. Dessau (Med. Ree., Sept. 12, '96).
Treatment is mostly symptomatic. In the beginning calomel in doses of from 2 to 5 grains for adults (one-tenth that amount for children) should be given. The calomel is divided into three pow ders, given at intervals of an hour. As long as the fever lasts, rest and a fever diet are indicated. Salipyrin, 15 grains every evening, and in the morning half that amount, to be given. With this remedy almost phenomenal results are obtained. Salipyrin must be continued for some time in order to achieve a good result. Ten grains prescribed at night
for from three to five days after the fever has disappeared. Even after the tern perature has fallen to the normal the patient should be confined to his room for a number of days. Bekess (Wiener med. Presse, Aug. 15, '97).
Calomel is an exceedingly useful drug in the early stages of an attack of in fluenza. The dose to be given amounts to 2 grains twice a day to adults, or 1 grain three or four times a day. ' In in fants smaller doses are given, according to age. Cure can usually be produced by the third day. Frudenthal (Therap. Mount., Oct., '97).
The pressing indication to be met in asthenic patients lies in the state of their forces, which need sustenance. Stimu lating remedies should occupy the first place. Thus, alcoholic liquors, diffusible stimulants, and tonics should be made the basis of medication. The salts of quinine, selected and administered with judgment, will not only control many of the pains of the disease, but will relieve the weakness and stimulate the patient. Landouzy (La Presse Med., Jan. 29, '98).
In children a purgative dose of calomel should be given. The patient should be kept. in bed, the temperature of the room at 70° F. or more at first, the diet should be scanty and fluid at first: milk, cereals, farinacea, water, lemonades, and broths. The further development of the case will gradually indicate eggs, and perhaps—in a few selected instances only--alcohol in addition to other medicinal stimulants.
If there be a high temperature, cold water is not indicated either as a bath or as a pack. The irritating cough which often requires opiates is rather increased than soothed by it; the characteristic bronchitis of influenza does not bear it; the frequent copious perspiration contra indicates it, and so does a weak heart under all circumstances. When there is much muscular pain and restlessness. a warm bath is often beneficial. Hot baths should be avoided unless a very short one in an occasional collapse. While many common cases of pneumonia, with fair circulation, are apt to do well with cold packs, influenza-pneumonias do better with warm ones.