The Washington herald., 1918-10-23
FLU" PLAGUE
HERE WANING
Danger Point Not Passed,
However, the Doc
tors Warn.

Reports received at the local health
office show that ffty-nine persons
died of influenza in the District in the
+ twenty -four hours ending at O'Clock
, last night
Though the decrease in the number
of deaths indicates that the epidf mic
is loosing its hold on the city, local
| health officers believe that the danger
point is not yet passed
Don't let optimism over the situa-
tion result in the disregarding of the
precautionary measures suggested by
the health authorities" DR.. William
Fowler. District health officer. warned
the people of the city yesterday.
Warns Against CnreIessness.
DR.. Fowler stated that while he be-
lieved the crest of the epidemic had
been reached, carelessness on the part
of the people of the city might result
in bareback, and a fresh outbreak
OF the disease. Every precautionary
measure suggested by the health
authorities should be rigidly observed,
he declared. until the people are told
that the>danger is over.
The authorities do not intend to
permit the reopening of the churches,
AAACoNCAS Gnu ONAitl OF
gatherings until every chance of con-
tagion is over.
DR.. Fowler said last night that he
would not recommend the opening of
the churches for public services this
Sunday, or even the following Sum
day. if conditions are not greatly i'm
proved.
The sudden increase in the number
of deaths reported at the local Office
Monday evening and yesterday noon
does not alter the belief Of the au-
thorities that the epidemic is waning.
| DIR. Mustard. of the Public Health
Service, stated yesterday.
2ss New Cases.
1t is to be expected, DR.. Mustard
said, that the number of deaths will
fuctuate during the next ten days,
owing to the fact that there are at
present a large number of cases on
hand' with new cases developing
every day.
! The number of new cases reported
shows a tendency to f1uctuate to a
greater degree than do the deaths
Yesterday there were S5S cases re-
ported. over twice as many as the
day before
Many of the old cases develon pneu-
monia, increasing the need for nurses
and hospital help. The women of the
city are strongly urged to answer tho
| call for assistance, made by the health
authorities. Every woman volunteer
ing her services can assist in Some
way, either in caring for patients or
the families of those stricken bv tho
disease. Clerical and stenographic beIn
is also needed at the four RELIEF st,
tions.
Hampers Coal Protection.
Improvement in the sttua,;o, ,s
noted generally throughout the 1coun-
uy. In some sections, however. tn
epidemic is increasing in viruience
especially along the Pacific Coast and
through the Middle West.
In the coal region of West Virginia
production has been considerably cur.
tailed by outbreaks of the epidemic
among the miners. James B. NeaIe
director of production of the TJpited
states Fuel administration an
nounced yesterday. The coal CARRYING
roads also have suffered. there beina
about $500 cases among the emploves
| Of the Norfolk and Western Railroad
! alone.
Steady improvement in the arrov
! camps is reported by Surgeon GenaraI
Blue. of the United States army For
the day ended at noon Yesterday
there were 2,773 new cases of in.
fiuenza as compared with 3o07 for
the preceding day, and 3s2 deaths com
pared with 402 for the same period