CAUSE OF THE FLU.
In the absence of any alleged cause or theory, which can account for the erratic prevalence of the Flu, the Author advances the following:
(a) The Bacillus of Influenza normally cannot exist or thrive in our every-day ordinary atmosphere, constituted of 20% of Oxygen, and 80% of Nitrogen.
(b) Under certain atmospheric conditions, such as any fractional excess above 4–5 Nitrogen, the normal amount present in the air, the Bacillus of Flu can become acclimated and acquires new sources of vitality, viz., the means to exist in the presence of Oxygen, and to thrive and multiply in it, and propagate, in this temporarily changed atmosphere. It speedily becomes imbued with virulent disease producing properties, multiplies on a vast scale, and proceeds to attack and scourge man; hence an Epidemic of Flu is brought into our lives.
(c) Later when the normal atmospheric balance is restored, the Bacillus ceases to be pathogenic or disease producing, loses its power, Facultative or Potential, to multiply and live on a large scale, but certain of the most vigorous members of the Colony survive and remain dormant, and latent, and years or months later under the same favorable atmospheric conditions, Nitrogen excess in the atmosphere, become active and produce a New Epidemic of Flu.
Each Epidemic may be considered as a sprouting of the “seed” of the previous or past ones; such seed or microbe is not permanently nursed by any host, such as man or animal, as a carrier; but the Bacillus lies hidden in the dust of rooms, attics, books, packed away clothes, towels, non-sterilized fomites in general, especially blankets and handkerchiefs, wall paper, etc.; on premises which had been occupied by Flu victims or victim, or convalescents from the disease, weeks, months, or years before.
No disease producing microbe can develop itself anew, it must come from the seed of the old stock, whether it be Flu, Typhoid, Plague, T. B., or Small-pox. Like produces, and only can produce like, is an infallible law, and applies to every living microbe, malignant or harmless.
Anything with life, when the entire species is eradicated or destroyed, with no live members or parents surviving, is absolutely gone for ever, save and except the Supreme deity sees fit to regenerate it.
In Honolulu, how uncomfortable we all feel when the South wind prevails, with its excess humid atmosphere; Headaches, Sweats, Sneezing, Lassitude and loss of appetite, etc., affects many of us, and coughs and sore throats; this is the Sick wind or atmosphere, so called by the Hawaiian; a condition of mild Flu producing weather; akin to Nitrogen plus air, and Oxygen minus, which the Author has suggested as an explanation of the cause of dormant Influenza, developing into an Epidemic.