The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-13
GOOD FLU REPORT
Only % New Cases Reported
This Afternoon.
No Indications That ReStf1c-
tiOnS VIII Be Raised.

While only twenty-three new cases
of influenza were reported at the Of
flee of the public health department
up to 2:30 o'clock today, an encour-
agingly small number. it is not re-
garded as definite assurance that the
disease is dying out. Thirty-five re-
leases also were reported.
However, according to DR.. H. L.
Clark, city health officer, constant
fluctuations may be expected for some
time to come. a. --.,.s-- ,--.ls---s..-
At the city emergency hospital
everything is in splendid condition
and today there were twenty-eight
patients under the care of the hos
pita1 staff.
There is no indication that any of
the present restrictions will be raised
during this week. Neither is there
any definite assurance as to what may
take place next week. According to
present regulations will be alleviated
until it is certain that the disease
has been checked decisively.
One death was reported from the
disease on Thursday. Agnes E.
Gaines. of 1909 North Western ave-
nue., died late in afternoon. No deaths
have been reported today.
Following weather similar to the
present variety during the first epi-
demic there was a slight increase no.
ticeable in numbers of new cases. The
second epidemic gained its greatest
headway following several days of dis.
agreeable weather. Many physicians
expect to see something of increase ir
the disease due to the bad weather
prevalent at present.
The report of new cases of inf1u-
enza on Thursday, numbering only
thirty-two. is the smallest number
, that has been received in the office OF
the public health department fol
many days and is the first positive in.
dication of an abatement in the rigol
OF the second epidemic which effectu
ally closed up the citys activities A
, feature of still greater cause for en-
couragement is the fact that sixty-twt
antine. 1t is not known exactly hov
many releases of actual cases thi
means, but in the sixty-two house
there were probably many home
where more than one case was unde
| the quarantine. AS an example, in on
! house that was placed under quaran
j tine, Thursday, there were seven cases
/ Don't Like Wilkes Theory.
| The city authorities have beeI
called upon any number of times T.
express an opinion on the theorie
advocated by DR.. B. A. Wilkes, OF tn
United States public health service
who is directing the fight against tn
I influenza attack in Kansas City.
| Accordingto Commissioner Porter
Doctor Wilkes has been quoted as say
ing that a general closing order tha
will hamper business is not necessar
while conducting general healt
campaign. But on the day followin
the street car strike Doctor Wilkes
again quoted as having said: IF tn
strike lasts ten days there will not b
case Of influenza left in the city.
The two statements. one that it wi
not prevent the spread of the diseas
to close places where crowds gathe
and the second, that the street ca
strike which, very effectually prevent
crowds gathering. will stop the sprea
Of the disease, are about as beautifl
+ examples of directly contradiction
statements as it is possible to fin,
Commissioner Porter states.
, A dispatch issued Thursday frol
the office of Rupert Blue. surgeo
', | general of the United States. reads &
. follows: wichita and several otht
) Kansas towns have proved the efficac
. of the ban on gatherings of any kin
! and have adopted. under advice. rul'
: similar to the ones under which tt
peka is operating"