The Washington herald., 1918-10-30
FLU EPIDEMIC
ISC0NQUERED
Ban on Meetings Lifted by
Commissioners as Dis
ease Subsidies.

Influenza has been conquered in the
District of Columbia.
Commissioner Brownlow yesterday
issued ali order authorizing the re-
opening OF the chrches of the city to-
morrow evening. and the theaters.
moving picture houses. dance halls
and other places of public gathering,
on Monday morning.
The epidemic, the authorities be-
lieve. is over in the District and by
observing few simple precautionary
measures the city need not fear a
bareback.
Thirty-three deaths from the disease
were reported at the local health Of
fice for the twenty-four hour perio1
ended at 9 o'clock last night. Though
over those reported in the preceding
twenty-four hors, the health authori-
ties believe that they are justified in
ordering the reoponing of the churches
tomorrow evening.
Not to BE Revoked.
DR.. Fowler. District Health officer.
stated last night that the order would
not be rescinded unless there is a
marked increase in the number of
deaths reported. The authorities did
not consider the reopening of the
theaters, etc. until it was
thought that all danger from can
tagion was past" he said. II do not
think it will be necessary to recall
the order
Belief that the worst stage of the
epidemic is over was expressed yes
terday by all OF the medical officers
in charge of checking its spread.
The order from Commissioners Of
fce. authorizing the opening of the
churches Thursday evening follows:
Ordered. That the operation of the
Commissioners order of October 3,
1918, closing theaters, moving picture
houses. and dance halls in the Dis
trict of Columbia for an indefinite
time be Terminated on Monday, No
4, 1918.
That the operation of the Com
order of October 4. 1918,
requesting the clergy of Washing
ton to omit all church services un-
til further action by the Commits
sioners be terminated on Thursday,
October 81, 1918"
DR.. Fowler suggested repeating
of the general closing order in a
letter written to the Commits
sioners at meeting yesterday morn
ing.
Cooperation Helped.
1t is the belief of the authorities
that the restriction placed against
crowds of all kinds has been one of
the principle reasons for the rapid
recovery of the District from the cpl
demic. Cooperation by the people
of the city in the efforts of the au-
thorities has been responsible for the
ease with which the
Health Department has checked the
disease.
Reports from the greater number of
sections of the country affected by
he disease continue to show marked
In sections where the
Epidemic first appeared conditions are
low well under control.
Army Increases Slight.
New cases of influenza in army
amps yesterday showed a negligible
Increase, but the number of cases of
was noticeably greater.
Iew cases of influenza were ESQ, as
with 2.S31 of the day be-
ore, while new cases Of pneumonia
eported reached 691, as against 431, |
IN increase of 1S.
Acting upon reports from sanitary !
Inspectors of the office of the Army |
Medical Department, Gen. March has !
ssued an order to all camp COM I
nanders calling for the utmost care |
n the washing of all mess kits in |
,oiling water.
The War Department stated yester-
lay that vaccination against pneu-
nonia is now available for all officers. |
nlisted men, and employees of the
.rmy in the United states. Instruc-
ions to administer the vaccine to all /
olunteers have been sent to army |
amps and posts. Reports from
.dmiral Braisted. Surgeon General of
he navy, indicate that the epidemic
5 waning in that branch of the serv-
ce. New cases reported were 2,0Sl
or the week ending October 25. as
ompared with ABB for the preced-
ng week.