Evening star., 1918-10-23
Think INFLUENZA
IS RECED|NG HERE
Health Authorities Report
Fewer Deaths and Decrease
in New Cases.
CAUTION is STILL NEEDED

Only forty-flve deaths from influenza
were reported to the District health de-
partrnent in the twenty -four-hour pc
riod ending at noon today. which led
officials to believe that the epidemic has
passed its crest here. This was a de-
cline Of twenty-six, from the seventy
one deaths reported IN the preceding
tnentySeuf hours :, =. :. - = $,
A decrease Of $50 In the number OF
rteW. cases reported in the last tsvenfy-
four hours was even more encourAging
to health department officials. Today's
report shows ss2 new cases. as COM
pared with 77s yesterday. ...
Health Officer William c. Fowler
expressed qualification at the decline.
but warned that precautions should
not be cast aside because Of an indi-
cation that the disease is being
checked. Health officials believe that
new cases now being reported are OF
a milder type than the cases which
occurred in the early days of the epi-
|denic:
Appeals to Motorists.
Lieut.. Howard s. Fisk. in charge of
Transporting nurses to the homes OF
the sick, appealed to the motorists to-
work. While the disease is under
control, he said. every agency should
keep up its relief work in order to
stamp it out completely.
Lieut.. Fisk now has $50 automobiles
at his command. but should have at
need for cars is at o'clock in the
morning, when nurses must be dis
patched to all parts of the city to re-
lieye those who have been on duty
throughout the night with critical pa
Surgeon General Blue of the United
States public health service has visit
ed the Webster School headquarters
on a tour of inspection, and was
pleased at the progress n;as maze ;hS ana the the
ganization was operated under the dt-
rection of Lieut.. Fisk and DR.. c. B.
Herdliska.
6. NJ. Minot, R. H. Skeels and R. W.
Bone. who have been running the am
bulance, have put in from fourteen to
sixteen hours every day. which further
Emphasizes the need for autos and
drivers.
Emphasizes Need Of Caution.
While assurance is felt by Health
Officer Fowler that the critical point
demic, he is fearful that the general
nublic may become careless in taking
precautions against the contagion.
with the result of an increase in both
mortalities and the development of
Dr.. Fowler today emphasized the
necessity Of continuing every precau-
ton now in force to prevent the
spread of the contagion.
In this connection he said that
INF hr0nRhf
to bear upon him to recommend to the
commissioners the raising of the ban
on public gatherings. Despite these
Influences, he says. he will not make
recommendations for the opening of
schools. thsatsss. moHing m"Sin daSs'ns picture
places and other places where there
would be large gatherings of persons.
He is of the opinion that the closing
of these places was a necessity for the
public safety and that the ban has
been a major aid in keeping down the
spread OF the contagion.
Acknowledges Valued Aid.
DR.. H. S. Mustard of the United
States public health service, working
in conjunction with the District
health department in the fight against
the influenza, said this morning that
Red Cross ACTIVITIES and those OF the
Mission, Salvation Army, Gospel Mis-
sion and other charitable and re-
,igious organisations are proving OF
great assistance to the health author
| tiles.
organizations where whole families
father. mother and children. were
| down with the influenza, and not only
needing medical attention. but the
necessities of life, which have been
ptlxx furnished
One hundred and ifty-eight quarts
of hot broth and 1o1, pints of milk
were donated by different churches and
nriyate families yesterday and were
delivered to influenza patients through
the public health service.
Still In Need Of Nurses.
Tho need for more graduate nurses
and aids is great. There are enough
doctors to handle the situation. Dr. j.
tG, Wilson of the public health service
| in charge of the influenza emergency
,Gon,ln.eu u. ssvoau l.ase.,