The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-10-24
DIR. SMITH TAKES CHARGE.
Government Health Officer Directs
Fight Against Influ>nza.

Fight Against Infiu> MA.
DR.. J. R. Smith arrived in the city
Monday night from Honea Path, S.
| c., where he has been directing the
fight against the influenza, to take
charge of the situation in Bamberg
and community. A trained nurse
was also sent here to work in the
mill village, where the epidemic is
apparently raging worst. DR.. Smith
was sent to Bamberg by the United
States Public Health Service, and be-
gan Immediately to direct the fight
against the epidemic.
Several days ago Mr.. J. A. wy
man wired to Congressman Byrnes
in Washington to see if something
could not be done to relieve the sit
uation in Bamberg, and a reply was
received stating that the matter had
been taken up with Surgeon General
| Rupert Blue, and that the health SER
vice had promised to do what was
possible for the community. Mr.. Wy
man also wired Senator Benet with
reference to securing leave of abb
| sence for DR.. H. J. Stuckey, the on
ly remaining resident physician who
is not i'll with influenza. DR.. Stuckey
was to have reported for service in
the army last week, having been re-
| Gently commissioned a first lieuten-
ant in the medical department. Sen
| ator Benet was successful in securing
the requested leave for DR.. Stuckey.
While a number of new cases have
recently developed in the city and
community, it is generally believed
that the epidemic is being gotten
under better control. Bamberg's
greatest need has been for assistance
to families where there were several
afflicted at the same time, and there
has been an organized campaign of
assistance along this line. There has
been one death in the city, that of a
colored woman. There are a num-
Der of pneumonia cases, s~uperinduced
by influenza.
The Red Cross chapter has insti-
tuted a diet kitchen at the Carlisle
school, and from these headquarters
meals are distributed to those in need
of such assistance. Any cases where
attention of this nature is
needed should be reported to Rev.
Geo. P. White, chairman Of the Red
Cross chapter, or to Prof. j. c..
Guilds, headmaster of Carlisle school.
Sunday morning this service was in
stituted and meals were served that
day to forty-two persons. This num-
Der has since been increased.
AS a measure of precaution
against further spread of the disease
the board of health has ordered all
stores closed at z p. m, except on
Saturdays, when they will be allow
ed to remain open for all hour or
two longer.
DR.. Smith cautions the people
against c~ongregating on the streets,
in the stores, postofice or other pub
lie places, as crowds contribute large
ly to the spread of the disease, The
people are urged to mop their threats
and mouths and spray their noses
with listerine, formolid or other an
tiseptic, and to be very careful to al
ways cover mouth and nose when
coughing or sneezing. Dr. Smith es-
pecially cautions the people against
splitting on the sidewalks, which is
a very dangerous carrier Of in1uen-
"a germs. He also suggests the ad-
visibility of keeping all places Of
business we'll ventilated as a measure
to prevent contracting influenza. The
front and back doors should be kept
open for the free circulation of air.
While DR.. Smith will maintain his
headquarters in Bamberg, he will
have supervision over the campaign
throughout the county, and will be
glad to be consulted on any matters
when he car be of assistance to any
other communities in the county.
Red Cross News Notes.