The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-10-23
GRIP SITUATION NOW IMPROvING; 325 NEW CASES Health Officer Brown Says Danger Remains But Con
 ditions Are Better. CASES TOTAL 3,612
 WITH 1O6 DEATHS Hartford and New Haven Top Bridgeport -Precau-
 lions Must Continue.

In an official statement re- garding the influenza epidemic in Bridgeport, Health Officer, Dr. Walter H. Brown said to- day: "Conditions are undCubt- ably more favorable today than at any time since the situation took a serious aspect. The pub lie must continue to use pre- caution, and all those who have assisted in fighting the scourge must keep right at it without relaxation. The danger is by no means over. In fact it is at this stage of the game that the utmost care must be eXer- cised for it is now that we will get our maximum of pneumo- nia complications with the re- sulting fatalities"
 For the 24 hours ending at g | cases were reported to the health authorities, bringing the total num- Der of sufferers in Bridgeport to S,612. The number of new deaths re- ported was eight, and 1O6 residents have now succumbed to the dreaded malady.
 | Brldgeport continues to have fewer cases reported per day than either Hartford or New Haven and Dr. Brown said that the efforts to con- l trol the epidemic here have been l-greatly aided by private and public l organizations and urged them to con- tinue their good work until the malady was completely stamped out The health officer said that the var ious local doctors have informed him that they are seeing less new patients daily than at any time since the epi- den1ic gained serious proportions
 When the influenza finally starts on a steady decline in Bridgeport, it will be a rather slow process, and somewhat irregular" said pr. Brown. ''Therefore we cannot say with cer- tainty just how long it will be before the malady Is entirely stamped out.
 
 outlook is hopeful, and continue to urge them to follow the rules already made by the Board of Health. I must repeat day after day, that the spread of the disease depends a good deal on the people of the city themselves. The question is, just how we'll will they protect themselves and 1thers ? The answer will be in the decline in the number of cases at a more rapid rate than it would be under normal conditions. We want to make a habit of taking care of ourselves in an ab- normal way-a way that surpasses , any previous interest in ourselves and others Make it a habit. By doing that you will be taking precautions automatically and without worrying about yourself We want you to know the seriousness of the present sit uation so that you will take warning We, however, do not want it to scare you. Fear will not give you influenza but fear and worry will weaken your vitality to such an extent that you will be more susceptible to any con- % tagious disease. Therefore, take care of yourself, follow the rules of per sonal hygene, do not worry, and pro- tect others"
 The nursing situation while better than heretofor, can still improve People of Bridgeport are volunteering 3 their services at a greater rate thar previous. to the urgent appeals of the 3 Red Cross and health authorities. bu more nurses and orderlies are still 1T { demand.
 Dr. Brown addressed the janitors l 1 of the city schools at the High schoo |. auditorium last night, and told then t that they were one of the biggest fac. l tors in safeguarding the health of the . children of the city. They promised l the health officer their full co-opera ton in the fight against the epidemic ,