The sun., 1918-10-13
GRIP CRISIS IN
N. Y. OYER, BUT
FIGHT GOESON
Health Commissioner Picks
Advisory Committee to
Wipe Out Epidemic.
BARRIERS TO WEAR MASKS
New Influenza Cases Show
Gain Of 303; Deaths From
Pneumonia Decrease 16.

Although the peak OF the Spanish in
fuenza epidemic is believed to have been
reached and probably passed in this city,
DR.. Royal S. Copeland, Health Commits
sioner. launched certain activities yes
terday for further and better control Of
the disease. The creation OF an emer-
sency advisory committee. a request to
BARRIERS to wear masks. the voluntary
suspension OF dance halls. the request
for more nurses and doctors, the COOP
Grafton of ministers in various ways
and an urgent appeal for ventilation and
cleanliness--all were included in his
programme.
Figures complied by the Bureau OF
Vital Statistics show that invariably in
influenza, pneumonia and bronchitis cpl
denies the peak Is reached in the third
week. II was 30 in the epidemic here
in 1SS9-90 and has been 30 in many
other places during other years. The
death rate here Figures of which are
held to be absolutely reliable for dag
nosis and prosnosis) for the third week
ended yesterday are 1912 cases in a
population OF 100000. The peak for
the same week In 1sss-s0 was 2.1S0 in
population Of 100000.
Sees Recession of Disease.
DR.. Copeland said yesterday there are
many moro cases in the city than have
been reported. but taking this unknown
number into consideration. there are not
now more than 8 per cent. Of influenza
and pneumonia cases 70 the present pop
ulation. Other conditions point rather
coffclusively to a recession of the dis
eases from now on unless unusual con-
ditions arise.
There was a slight increase in the
number OF new cases of influenza re-
ported yesterday, 1896, against 4.293
for the day previous. Pneumonia de-
creased IN the number of new cases.
there being s7s. against ss+ for the day
previous.
Deaths from influenza yesterday were
c15, a gain OF 30, and from pneumonia.
1s4, a decrease of 16 from the day
previous.
Altogether. despite the gain In deaths
from influenza and the increase in the
number of cases. Dr. Copeland felt
gratifed.
In order to become conversant with
the situation in its minutest detail. he
has asked and secured the consent of
men and women serving In every ac-
tivity of a city's daily life to sit In con-
ference with him as an advisory COM
mittee. The committee will be added TO
from time to time as its needs are
known.
The members are Howard Townsend.
representing private, hospitals; DIR. John
W. Brannan, Bellevue and Allied Hospi-
taos; Miss Lillian ID. Wald home nurs-
ing activities: Miss Jane Pindell. insti-
tutional nursing: William A. Marble,
business interests: DR.. Lee K. Frankel
social service agencies Rudolph Block,
publicity agencies; Arnold Wood. Red
Cross: DR.. William r. Lavender. United
States Public Health Service DIR. Walter
b. James, medical profession; DIR. Will
lam l.. Ettlnger. Department OF Educa-
ton; DR.. Louis I. Harris, Department Of
Health.
Advice to he Followed.
Talking over the general situation yes
terday DR.. Copeland once more impressed
the importance of washing the face.
hands and nost-ils and keeping scrupul-
ously clean. He recommended the fol-
lowing preventive and curative measures
10 be followed religiously
Keep away from the cougher,
sneezer or splitter who does not use a
handkerchief.
Keep out OF crowds whenever pos
sible,
Don't use dishes or towels which
have been used by others until they
have been washed in boiling water.
Don't put your lips against the tele-
phone mouthpisce and don't put into
your mouth a pencil or any other
article that has been used by another
Keep in the fresh air and sunlight
IS much as possible, but wear suffi-
Gent clothing to keep warm.
Sleep in a we'll ventilated room un-
der plenty OF bedclothes.
Walk instead OF using the street
car or subway whenever your journey
is a short one.
BE. temperate in eating and observe
the ordinary rules of hygiene.
Wash your hands and face immedi-
ately upon reaching your home and
change your clothes II possible before
mingling with the rest of the family.
Go to bed upon the first indication
of illness and call doctor.
The sick person should have room
by himself
Care should be taken TO have the
sick person cough, sneeze or expec-
torate In gauze, which should be
burned at once. Persons handling this
gsu7e should wash their hands after
each attention.
Patent medicines should be avoided.
The patients room should be kept
We'll ventilated: care should be taken
that no draught strikes him.
Visitors should be kept from the
SICK room.
Tnc patient should remain In bed
long enough after the fever in influ-
enZl has suhsded. 20 that he will be
IN no danger OF an attack of pneu-
monia.
BRrbers Asked to Wear Masks.
Dr. Copeland said that the danger OF
infection from BARRIERS and to them
from the customer is great. so he asks
that BARRIERS wear masks. II may be ad-
V.sahle II the disease becomes worse
here for every one to wear folds OF
EauZe over the respiratory organs. Po-
llcomen and others who talk to many
eOplc may be asked shortly to wear
masks. The Commissioner thinks this a
wise rrccaution.
4 gratifying phase OF the daily report
II that attendance in the public schools
as yet shows no falling Off In fact. is
above normal. according to DR. William
Fttirgcr. Superintendent Of Schools. The
general health OF the children IL reported
as splendid. There are a number Of
teachers absent, however. many OF them
suffering from influenza
The dance halls present a dangerous
phase. Many soldiers and sailors are
frequenters OF dance halls. The Health
Commissioner asks that the proprietors
Voluntarily close their places until fur
ther notice.
Dry sweeping in the subways came IN