New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-23

DR.. Haven Emerson, City Health
Commissioner, said yesterday that he
felt greatly encouraged by the days
reports of the infantile paralysis cpl
demic Although the new cases were
more than during the last two or three
days and the deaths maintained a high
level, the new cases were a great per-
centage less than on any other Tues
day since the first week in July.
Epidemic on Wane.
"This we regard as a very favorable
indication" said the Commissioner,
"and gives US new ground for the be-
lief that the epidemic is on the wane.
It has been true in this epidemic, as in
others, that more cases are reported
on Tuesday than on any other day, and
Tuesday may be considered indicatory
Of the spread or dying out Of the dis
ease. We hope soon TO be able TO ad-
wise the public that they need no long
er worry about their children catching
paralysis"
The decrease Of yesterday in the
number Of cases reported on Tuesday is
noticeable in every borough in the
greater city, and is especially marked
in Brooklyn. On July IL that borough
reported 155 new cases and 20 deaths,
while yesterdays reports for Brooklyn
listed only ~ new cases and IL deaths
August 1 the entire city reported 15s
cases; on August there were lS3 new
cases; on August 15-considered as the
dav when the epidemic reached its
crest-therewere 1913 new cases, and
yesterday but rs.
Manhattan's report shows an increase
of six cases over the AZ reported on
August l, but the 4S listed yesterday
is O. decrease as compared with the 81
reported on August and the 81 listed
on August Is The Bronx reported nine
cases yesterday as compared with Is
on the previous Tuesday, and Queens
reported Is as compared with ~. men
mond's figures for the month OF Au-
gust show 9 new cases on August 1,
none on AUX AoN o AAft va @NNt3N~
and only three yesterday.
Weather No Factor.
The theory that the sudden increases
in the number of cases which have
been remarked several times since the
disease reached epidemic proportions
were due to weather conditions was ell
fectually disposed Of by Commission
er Emerson yesterday, when he made
~ - inv = o. {
which has been made by experts OF
the department into that phase.
"a careful study and comparison Of
the mean temperatures and humidity
and the daily reports of new cases,
said the Commissioner, "has shown
nothing that would sustain the belief
that there is any relation between
atmospheric conditions and the dis
ease. Such comparison has shown,
however, that in great heat and humid
ity the deaths of little children are
somewhat higher, not only from IN
fantile paralysis. but from many other
diseases as we'll"
Yesterday the city came TO the and
of the Department Of Health and the
numerous charitable institutions which
have undertaken the work of caring
for the recovered patients and provid-
ing them with braces and the neces-
sary after-treatment Acting Mayor
Frank l.. Bowling introduced at the
meeting Of the Board Of Estimate yes
terday a resolution providing for the
appropriation Of a sum Of money 10
aid in the work.
New York City is going TO look
after the little victims of this cpl
demic," said Mr.. Bowling.
City to Aid Patients.
The resolution, which was adopted by
the board without discussion, requested
Commiss ioner Emerson TO present q
plan to the board at its meeting on
September IS, showing the work which
must be done and giving some ideas to
the amount required. No amount was
mentioned in the resolution, but it is
understood that the board is prepared
70 appropriate $4,000 If necessary to
provide all the crippled children with
braces and give them the proper treat
ment.
Commissioner Emerson said yester-