The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-19
Fifty-0ne New Cases Reported
to Health Officers Today.
MAN and Wife BOTH DEAD
Mr.. and Mrs. Peter Artze1
Leave 4 Small Children.
Kansas City Man Died After
Staggering Into Hospital.

victims in Topeka. Thirteen persons
have succumbed to the disease here
this week. A total of twenty-seven
deaths have occurred since the out
break of the epidemic in this city.
Friday afternoon and night the fol-
lowing died:
Mary and Peter Artzer, 129 Jackson
Peter Pfifer. 22S North Chandler.
Peter Lantz, 545 Main street, KAN
sas City.
Harvey A. seabolt, 1888 North
Quincy.
Lorena Burghardt, 446 Wilson ave-
nue..
Bera Lavos. 511 East Third street.
Within one hours time, the fatal
epidemic rendered orphan and home
less four little children. The disease
claimed as its victim the mother of
the children, Mary Artzer, and in less
than an hour her husband also sue
cumbed to the scourge. The young
parents died at the emergency hospital
after a short illness. The parentless
little tots are three boys and a baby
girl All are under five years of age
Inc pathetlcally heart-rending
feature of the death of Mr.. and Mrs
Artzer, who were rs and 27 years old,
respectively, is that they were the
father and mother of four children
mere babies. The children, who are
now left alone in the world, have not
as yet developed the disease
An unknown man walked into the
emergency hospital Friday afternoon
He was dying on his feet. Collapsing
in a chair in the lobby he barely had
strength to give the attendants his
name-Peter Lantz-and his address,
4o4 Main street, Kansas City. Nothing
more was learned of the identity of the
man who died shortly after reaching
the hospital. How a man as near
dead a4s this man was when he reached
the hospital ever managed to come in
unassisted is a question that is impos-
slble of solving, city health officers
say.
Fffty-one New Cases Today.
Today up to IL o'clock 81 new cases
had been reported. This brings the
total of cases reported and diagnosed
up to 945. Friday the number of new
cases was 144 However, there were
"a cases reported this morning which
should have been in Fridays report,
but which were turned in too late to be
included in the list.
THE situation is unchanged" says
Doctor Clark, city health officer, who
predicts that next week may show a
decline in the virulence of the cpl
demic. The authorities believe that
the climax has been reached. How
ever. Doctor Clark says no accurate
estimate can be formed on two or
three days reports.
The situation at the hospital is much
improved today from the standpoint of
the number of nurses on duty. Three
more graduate nurses have been added
to the staff at the hospital and for
the first time since it has been estab-
lished the institution is in something
like well organized condition. How
ever, several more graduate nurses
could be used. If they are not to be
put on duty at once the hospital au-
names so that they might be called to
assist in an emergency which might
arise at any time.
The pathetic case of an is months
old baby was reported today. The
infants father and mother, who live
in North Topeka, are separated. Fri
day night, the father, staggering un-
der an excessive load of whisky. went
home, it is said. The mother has no
money at all. The baby's father re-
fused to give her any. He said that
if the baby recovered he might help
pay the expenses but that if it did not
no assistance could be expected from
him, officers were tofds The cost of
one pint would nearly have covered
all the baby s. sA9penses. xBut the ia
ther neeSea th9AEbisky 4IeSkeft his
money to give TO the bootIeggers it is
said. The baby's doctor furnished the
money and the things necessary to
prevent death. The city authorities
got in touch with the probate judge
and the probation officer issued Just
one order-the father has his choice
of paying all the expenses at once or
of going to Jail.
New Fountain Orders.
An order has been issued by the
state health department relative to
restaurants and soda fountains This
order states that these places of bust
ness must was hall utensils such as
glasses, dishes and spoon in boiling
water before they are ued to serve
other patrons. Inspectors will observe
whether this order is obeyed. If it
is no tthe places disregarding the reg
ulationS will be closed down at once.
Doctor Clark says.
Use Masks at City Hail.
This afternoon the city paid its en-
ploycS The force in the city clerks
office was equipped with the anti
septic cause masks while making the
payments to the hundreds of people in
the employe of the city. The elevator
was shut down and it was hoped that
the walk up the two flights of stairs
would tend to keep the crowd from
becoming too large at any one time.
Formaldehyde was sprinkled around
the room as a disinfectant.
This morning several masks were
being worn on the street cars Health
officers highly endorses this practice
The Influenza germ can be thrown out
in breathing. couehing. sneezing or
even by people who are inclined to
mix a little moisture into their con-
versa tion. The ma SKIS catch all germs