The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-28

(Continued from Page OneD
that did gave notice of practically as
many releases as the new cases they
turned in. :
Death Rate Now Higher.
The public health authorities make
no definite statement as yet regard
ing the checking of the epidemic altho
they assert that the reports are con-
sidera bly, more optimistic than they
have been for some ting.
The death rate has been higher dur
ling the last ten days than it was in the
first two weeks of the ep'1emic, but
this is due to the fact that many of the
cases reported some time ago reached
the climax of the attack during this
latter period and for that reason. altho
1.-THE numbers of new cases have been
stea div decreasing, the death rate has
remained high.
According to DR.. H. L. Clark, city
health officer the doctors say that
they are not SO rushed as they were
few days back at the time when the
disease reached the climax in number
of cases reported on October II
and Is.
Unless conditions reverse decidedly
in the next few days it is expected that
reports on new cases will continue to
dwindle turnout the week. If this
should be the case it is possible that
all of the closing restrictions may be
released next week and Topekans can
go to picture shows again and gather
together in crowds without fear of be-
ing raided by the police.
Nurses Still Needed.
The emergency hospital is still oper-
ating at almost its full capacity. Sew
eral cases were released today but
there are other patients that will be
taken in as soon as the space is avail
able.
Altho conditions are now much bet
ter at the hospital than they were at
first the need for graduate nurses is
still felt. Some of the nurses are due
to leave almost at once for other work
to which they have been called and
their places will have to be filled by
other volunteers. The hospital has
never been able to take advantage of
all the space offered in. the hotel
building for the reason that there
have not been enough nurses.
In the death of Helen Gilkie, $50
n. Tyler street. occurred the fourth
death among the negroes of the city.
The negroes have been fortunate in
suffering a lower death rate.
Conditions are still bad in Little
Russia, on E. Gordon street and on Sar-
dou avenue. attic the Russian popu-
lation has learned to do everything
necessary to aid in checking the
epidemic with the possible exception
of adopting the fresh air doctrine
Inspectors say that the small children
between the ages of and Is are
their greatest aids in getting things
done in this district.
Danger Not Yet Passed.
Altho conditions appear to be de-
cidedly improved DR.. Clark is still,
insistent that the danger is by no
means passed and again warns people
that it is still necessary. to use ever,
precautionary measure and to TAX.
no chances.
In the opinion of Mayor House, who
has just returned from a trip cas-,
and knows something of the rigor OF
the disease in other cities, the string
ent closing orders placed in effect al
the first hint that the disease had
arrived in Topeka were most effectual
in checking the spread of the malady
which might have attained the death
rate figures experienced in many
cities
The United States government has
made $1,000.000 appropriation which I
will be distributed about the country
to assist in paying the expenses differ
ent communities have - incurred in |
fighting the epidemic.
1t is not known yet just what pro-
POI ton of this amount will be assigned
to Kansas, nor how it will be distrib- |
uted According to Doctor Clark, city |
health officer, the expenses of the city |
have been very high, averaging close |
to 500 day, which would place the !
approximate total above $4,000 The !
government expects to assist in the |
payment of salaries of nurses and 9TH
er attendants and to pay the bills for
medical supplies used in emergency |
hospitals and by the public health au-
thorities of the various cities. Moth |
ing has been done as yet in the way
of checking up these expenses. This |
will not be attempted until the epi- |
demic is over.