The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-17
NO GOOD REASONS
Continued from Page One. )

(the pfeiffer influenza Bacillus is now
graveiy questioned as the cause). In
fluenza In this respect Is now back
on a par with measles and scarlet
fever. whose distinctive germs have
not been found.
2, That the disease is communi-
Gated by means Of the saliva of an
whooping cough and measles ara
spread--in the spray of the cough and
fsneeze. from mouth to hand. and on
glasses. utensile. towels, etc. that
others have used.
3. That the complications follow
Ing the disease, and not the disease
itself. make it dangerous to life.
4. That going to bed promptly and
staying there until thoroughly well
constitutes the greatest life saving
measure In connection with the case.
/ 8. That the greatest preventive
] factor is the control or personal
! ilsbins as to careless coughing and
! sneezing. and in regard to keeping
clean and refraining from overwork.
6. That the best facilities for the
spread OF the disease are furnished
by people crowding together in ILL.,
ventilated places and in the lack Of
personal hygiene.
Approved measures Of control are:
all cases occurring in their practice.
SO that accurate knowledge may be
had. and isolation of the patient and
school notification applied at once.
! .. Education of the public through
every possible avenue of publicity.
3. Organization for handling cases.
! in whatsoever numbers they may
occnr, including medical. nursing and
hospital attention and family relief
work.
/ 4 The regulation of public drink =
ing fountains. the ventilation of pub
| lie buildings and conveyances. the
stopping OF all unnecessary crowds.
and the arrest of all who are found
violating rules adopted for the con-
troll of the epidemic.
s. Closing Of schools ard places OF
public gathering have the result OF
postponing the disease somewhat and
fer period OF time, also by releasin &
teachers multiplics the number OF
helpers available for nursing and re-
lief work and arouses the public to the
\ gravity of the situation 1t does not,
however. reduce the ultimate nuAlb Der
of gases of the disease and has the
disadvantage of turning large mum
Der of uncontrolled children loose in
| the community. Who're there is D.
1
service. children on the whole arc
much better OF at school and there
are fewer deaths among them. In
the country districts whore there Is
poor organization, this may not be
| true. In Richmond, with the schools
open. the proportion of children to
adults reported sick is orc to thvee,
and the deaths since are five times
as many in adults as In children (fn
! NAta hAp IN
| In the October epidemic The
/ great number of cases OF IN.
I duenza occurring all at once Fore
! ed extraordinary measures, most
OF which were justified.
! The present epidemic does not
| as yet land Il ID now in It's third
/ weck} present the same problem.
Tho doctors are not overwhelmed
= ~ before. nor II the need Of hos
/ are more people who are familiar
J with the disease. and thsre 10 less
, panic fear In consequence.
! To close the schools, churches
! and theatern and leave the stores
! open would be. during this h0li-
| day season, to close places Of In
| struction having modsrn Systems
| of ventilation and leave open not
I less crowded places with no COM
pensating advantages.
In my judgment tbs situation
not warrant a general ciosing
order. Therefore do not bring
to you such recommendation At
this time.
Permit me TO say. In closing.
that I resent most emphstimtly
the imputatton contained In pub
Ished reports Of the Academy Of
Medicine proceedings--''tha the
AA~fxR a. Nail
alive 10 the influsnsa situation 81