The San Francisco call., 1898-12-23
GRIP EPIDEMIC
 AT NEW YORK City Officials Feel No
 Alarm. DEATH RATE GROWS STEADILY THERE ARE HUNDREDS ILL IN WASHINGTON ALSO.
DEATH RATE GROWS STEADILY
All the Large Eastern Cities Seem to Be Under the Spell of the Dread Destroyer, La
 Grippe.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK, Dec. 22.-The epidemic of grip is still in marked evidence. The death rate from bronchitis and pneumonia continues very heavy Many of the recent deaths from pneumonia have been indirectly due to the grip. Furthermore, physicians say that the prevalence of the grip with the con- sequent general weakening of the sys- tenn, causes an increase in mortality in all lines. The deaths from all causes reported to-day number sixteen more than the day before. During the last four days, according to Dr. Rodgers Tracey, Register of Records of the Health Department, the deaths from all causes have been 530. This is a daily average of 1321a.
 On the corresponding days of last year the deaths from all causes num- bered 3SS. a daily average of ninety seven Many school children and teach CTS are suffering from the grip. There are about 225,000 children enrolled in the public schools in this city. The normal ratio of absentees is about one in POO. To-day Superintendent Jasper reported that there were about 45,000 absentees among the pupils, or 20 per cent. Of the 53S0 teachers about per cent are on the absent list, whereas S12 or per cent is the usual ratio.
 There are 3S1 sick policemen to-day.
 President Murphy of the Board of Health expressed the opinion to-day that the city would be fully able to control the epidemic. The injunction by the Board of Health to elevated roads and city transportation com panies to fumigate and thoroughly clean their conveyances Is being car ried out.
 The health authorities of Brooklyn hours preceding 10 o'clock this morning twenty deaths from grip and pneu monia occurred. The number of cases is increasing rather than diminishing.
 PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 22.-It is es- timated that between 25.0O0 and 3O.0O0 persons in this city are suffering from grip and doctors report 1t on the in- crease At the Board of Health to-day six deaths were reported to have oc- cured within the ~ast twenty-four hours. directly due to grip. and twelve other deaths were traced indi- rectly to the same cause.
 TOLEDO, O., Dec. 22.-The grip has gained a secure foothold in this city and all physicians are busy with it.. While It IS 1mpOSSlDIe tO estimate the number of cases, they will run into the thousands.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-From the number of persons connected with the various Government. departments and large commercial houses who are i'll, it is apparent that grip is playing an important part in the present health conditions in Washington. Of the 5000 employees of the Government printing office 372 were away on sick leave to- day. and of the 2000 in the bureau of engraving and printing 235 were re- ported ill.,
 Throughout the other branches of the Government service the proportion of absentees on account of illness is un- usually large, even at this time of the wear. Many of the large stores, which are now in the midst of their busiest season, are very much short of help. due to the large sick roll.