Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-05
INFLUENZA SITUATION
IS CONSIDERED GRAVE.
State Health Board Urges Further
Precautions Against Spread
OF Epidemic.
ALMOST 1000 CASES IN CITY
Attendance at Thcatcrs Decreases as
Result of Fear of Contagion.
Three Additional Deaths and 28S
New Cases Reported Yesterday.

The situation is grave" said DR.
'Ennion G. Williams. State health COM
missioner. last night in reference 10
the epidemic of grippe ravaging Rich
mond as well as the rest of this coun-
try. Yesterday. in view of the fact
that there were 26S new cases re-
ported by the middle OF the afternoon.
and that by night there were nearly
1000 cases in the city, the State Health
department met and in addition to
advocating the measures already being
carried out by the State health com
missioner. emphasized the discontinue
ancc of all gatherings. including re-
liEiouS services, motion picture shows.
sue shows and theaters, II also urged
the avoidance OF all Unnecessary travel
ing on trains and street cars.
SCHOOLS TO REMAIN OPEN
AS PREV MEASURE
1t was not deemed advisable by the
board to order the closing of the
cumstances. as ii believes that the
schools may he used as positive
aEencies for preventing disease. All
pie rules on the piacards issued es-
pecially for the schools and TO exclude
all children showing any sign OF sick
ness
This recommendation Is OF no direct
effect on '"e local situation. which is
growing wider daily. since the recon-
mendation comes from the State Board
for the Richmond City health com
missioner. the State authorities not
deeminE It necessary TO extend this
action to the limits OF the State.
There were three additional local
deaths reported yesterday-Joseph l..
nnr rds !, 10 West Thirtieth Street;
Street; and Theodore Samuel Whitlow,
SGl2 Williamsburg Avenue. There are
many others critically i'll.
TIIEATER ATTENDANCE IS
FALLING OFF RAPIDLY
Tho conditions are obviously bad in
all the towns of the State. Closing
orders have been put into effect in
Washington. Boston. Norfolk and many
made locally to avoid closing if pos
sihle. The theaters arc being spayed
with dsinfectants. But in spite OF
ventilation and sanitary measures taken
There were many seats empty in the
Academy last night. the purchasers
having taken stage fright and stayed
Managers of many of the picture
show houses have said that business
was so light they would not lose much
norted. But. according to DIR. Roy X
FLANAGAN. the city health officer
there will be no red tape in the en-
forcement &C the order if Il is invoked
The churches have been warned
against the use of-the common cup in
the administration OF the sacrament. II
happens also that the first Sunday In
the month is the day Of the morning
sacrament In the Episcopal churches.
MANY SOLDIERS CARED
FOR AT WESTII NPTON
Out of zoo patients at Westhampton
hospital, 100 of them are victims OF
Spanish influenza. Many are Richmond
College boys or Camn Lee soldiers. and
others who have taken the grippe while
here on liberty Plans are under con
sidcration for increasing the capacity
OF this hospital from LOCO to 1000
beds The place is AT present affected
by a quarantine regulation.
The schools arc regarded we'll
ventilated and. being under the. direct
supervision of trained nurses. may not
fall in tho path of closing order.
The ability to extend hygienic infor-
nation to the pupils is regarded as an
Involvement for keeping the schools
open. reasons for closing not applying
to the school buildings as drastically
"a