New-York tribune., 1918-10-12
393 Deaths Reported in
One Day From Pneu-
monia or Influenza
5000 More Nurses
Are Needed at Once
DR.. Copeland Says Scourge
Has Not Yet Reached
Its Maximum


other leap IN the twenty four hours
ended yesterday. 4,293 new cases of
the former and 3g4 of the latter being
reported Health Commissioner Cope
land warned that this advance should
not cause alarm. as most Of the new
cases are found IN families where some
one has already been reported victim
~ the epidemic
Workmen may soon he subjected 10
daily physical inspection for influenza
symptoms An effort IL being made TO
obtain tho cooperation Of surgeons en-
rloyed by isrgv concerns to the extent
ef holding "infuenxa receptions" each
morning as the workers enter the
plants.
Health authorities closed two motion
picture theatres esterday for failure
60 comply with the new epidemic regu-
sRtions relating TO public places The
violatons we've found at 223 Park Row
md Chatham Square.
Work Here Is Praised
Dr. copeland received telegram
from Dr. Charles V. Chap,n. of Provi
dence, Il. l., recognized authority on
public sanitation. IN which he com
mended the attitude Of tho authorities
IN New York
Speaking Of the New York situation.
Dr. Chaplin said:
"Your cpsos will doubtless increase
4 "a. y,tu
viii probably prevent some cases, but
the most drastic steps have little ap-
preciabie effect in this epidemic. The
closing of the schools for influenza will
have less effect than for measles. The
closing Of theatres, churches and fac
torres works great injury with slight
benefit Such measures ss you have
sdoptCd arc wiser"
Dr. Copeland reiterated his warning
against treating the epidemic as Joke.
The study Of the death rate in the
cases of pneumonia as they develop
prove the seriousness OF the disease,
he said. Under ordinary conditions
the mortality in pneumonia is high,
running between 10 and % per cent OF
he cases. but in this epidemic the
percentage of deaths is well over so
per cent.
The total cases of pneumonia re-
ported since September tx is 2,752, and
500 of these have died. Deaths are
reported in 1.052 cases out of 25,0S2
cases OF Influenza Sixty four per cent
Of the influenza cases have appeared
IN persons between the ages of fifteen
and forty-five, directly contradicting
all epidemic precedent which for years
had established the fact that the very
young and the very old are most
susceptible. Only 7 per cent of those
affected thus far are school children.
Cars Still Too Crowded
II assume the transportation com
panies are doing everything possible
to cooperate in preventing crowding'
Or. Copeland said yesterday, but am
frank to say there are many defects due
20 the failure of companies to prop
erly readJust their schedules and there
"a room for much improvement"
The Commissioner has requested all
political leaders to report cases of ILL
ness in congested sections of the city
where il is possible that physicians
have not been summoned.
The Board of Estimate yesterday ap
propriated $4,000 as an adidtiona!
emergency fund for the fighting Of the
epidemic here. This makes $4,000 SO
far authorized by the board for this
purpose.
The staff of the Health Department
has been hit by the epidemic Twenty
to 80 per cent Of the nurses employed
are i'll and among the executives al
fected are DR.. William II. Park, di
rector of the bureau of laboratories,
under whose direction a preventative
vaccine for influenza and pneumonia
was recently prepared. DR.. II. }. Will
son. director of the bureau of hos
pitfalls, has been i'll with influenza. but
has recovered.
5000 Nurses Needed.
The Red Cross has undertaken a
house-to- house canvass for nurses with
which to meet the demand. Five thou
sand are needed at once. The Nurses
Emergency Council has appealed for
automobiles to transport nurses from
home to home and to handle supplies
and food. The Housewives League has
begun campaign against influenza
by urging q general refusal to purchase
any food offered for sale that is not
protected from dust, dirt and germs.
The motion picture producers of the
country yesterday determined to CO.
operate with the releasing agencies and
suspend the manufacture of new film
plays for four weeks because Of the in
roads made into the receipts Of exhi-
bitors by the epidemic in all parts of
the country. This rule goes into effect
Tuesday. Serials and news reels are
exempted by the decision.
Jersey City schools, theatres and
saloons were closed yesterday by the
health authorities. and BARRIERS are or
dered to wear masks at their work, be-
ginning too day. Hudson County has ap-
propriated SIS, 900 for the battle against
the epidemic. Seven saloon men who
failed to obey the order 20 close were
arrested.
The State Public Health Council Of
New York met yesterday at 25 West
Forty-fifth Street and approved an
amendment to the sanitary code, fixing
a penalty of $500 fine, years impris-
onment or both for those sneezing,
coughing or expectorating without us
ing a handkerchief while in a public
place.
Courts Warn "Spitters"
"Spitters" are being summoned daily
into the city courts and fined. Magis-
tratc Groehl announced yesterday that
beginning to-day men arrested in the
subway for smoking and arraigned be-
fore him will be fined $40.
Manhattan still leads The borouehs Of
New York, with the greet .@umber Of
new influenza cases .xiofeing 1876
Brooklyn was seco" with 1887; The
Bronx, TAO; Que 2os, and Rich
mond, H. Nc nattan's pneumonia
records showsd'f'9 new cases; Brook