The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-11
Influenza Has Caused 1885,
Deaths In u. s.
Losses in. Death Greater Than
:,
Those on Battlefield.
CHICAGO A HEAVY SUFFERER
1,541 Deaths Reported In That
City in One Week.
Pneumonia Deaths Numerous
All Over the Country.

A report has been received in the
office Of the public health department
from the department of commerce,
bureau of the census. at Washington.
showing conditions which have pre-
vailed turnout the country during the
present influenza epidemic.
During the week ending November
reports from forty-five of the larg-
est cities of the United States indicate
that 9,743 persons died from influenza.
This report does not include the re-
ports from all the other smaller cities
and towns. During the same week
1855 people died from various forms
of pneumonia. which is declared by
authorities to be unreasonable for this
time of the year.
Since October l up to last Saturday
the government reports the death of
1857 persons from Spanish influenza
alone. This appalling figure is prac-
tically as4arge as the casualties which
have been suffered by the American
army on the battle fields of France
during the entire time that they have
been engaged in action on the various
battle fronts General Wood, in COM
mand at Camp Funston, has previous
ly reported that the deaths from in
fluenza in the Tenth division which
is being trained there were practical
ly as great as the casualties suffered
ton in France.
Chicago Heavy Loser.
In Chicago on September % there
were IT deaths reported. The week
| ending October the total was III,
october 2 it had gone to ST., and the
week ending October Is 1.242 were
reported. The next week it reached
to LOLA for the week ending No
Vember 2
In Kansas City the first report was
for the week ending October giving
rs deaths. For each following week
the totals ran rs. 113, 11s. and in
deaths were reported.
The estimated population of Chi
cago on July l, 1917, was 2,547.2O1.
For the week ending November 2,
1918, there were 21s1 deaths reported,
262 of which were under one year.
The death rate is estimated at 449
per cent. An average attained from
the sa me weeks during the years from
1918 to 1917 showed an average death
rate of SIS. under one year of age
the average death rate was 81 and
the average per cent of deaths was
figured at 1913 percent The same
week in 1918 then showed an increase
I Of 32.6 per cent.
Kansas City Deaths.
For Kansas City the population was
estimated at 3V5,SI6 on July l, 1917.
Fer the week ending November 2,
1918. a total of 291 deaths was re-
! ported, Is being under one year of
age. which is a death pate percentage
| of 4e.6. The average of the cores
| ponding weeks from 1913-1s17 show a
| total Of 81 deaths, Z of which were
under one year of age. which is a
| death rate percentage of 1875. The
figures indicate that in the week end
| ing November 2. 1918, that the death
! rate percentage increased 34.1 per cent
! over the same weeks in the years from
! 1913 to 1917.
Beginning with the week ending
! September Il. showing a total of Is
deaths from pneun onia, which may be
| blamed on the influenza, IN Chicago,
to the week ending November 2, the
totals run 10. "a. "A. 246, AIS, S63
| S26. ass. or a total of 1850 deaths
from pneumonia. On the same dates
in Kansas City the reports run 5, none,
10, IL. 81, SIS, rs, SIS, or 232.
! The total number of deaths in Chi
/ cago which may be ascriced directly
and indirectly to influenza is 1886. In
Kansas City, including influenza and
the concurrent pneumonia, deaths
amounted to total Of 706.