Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-22
GRIPPE SITUATION
MORE FAVORABLE
Three Hundred and Twenty
Four New Cases Reported
for Two Days.
EIGHTEEN DEATHS YESTERDAY
Will Reopen Schools, Churches
and Theaters Within Ten
Days, 1t Is Thought.

fuenza epidemic showed Il slight de-
crease yesterday. eighteen fatalities
being reported, compared 20 from
twcnty-hve 10 thirty every day during
the pas: ten days. Although 324 new
cases were reported yesterday many
OF these should be included in the
figures for Sunday. when thu thirteen
deaths occurred.
Reports would indicate that the
strength OF the epidemic is ebbing and
that tho number of cases and deaths
VII! decrease daily hencefor;h. Thus
'ar the health authorities have taken
no action TO rescind any OF the meas
ures taken TO prevent the spread OF
the disease; although II Is believed
oi the restrictions will be lifted within
tA& next few days.
Chief Health officer Roy X. Flannu-
To-day from Charlottesville. where he
was called by the critica! illness OF
n!s brother; Captain l. p. Flanagan.
tending TO hasten the closing or the
John Marshall emergency hospital and
permitting the reopening OF churches
and theaters is anticipated.
That these measures may not go into
effect Tor week or ten days Is prob
able. according. to authorities. who are
pieteiy in hand before taking any
chances OF reaction: Although there
has been some objection 10 the closing
- - churches and other places OF worship.
Rev A. :, Boda pastor of the North
SD. Baptist Church. yesterday issued
The s'sssmsnt ntsIIs toi in which he urged that
MINISTER SAYS KEEP Places
CLOSED UNTIL EPIDEMIC PASSES
II is 20 be hoped that the health
anthoTities will adhere to the decision
the churches closed until the last case
OF influenza has disappeared from tho
CITY, MI Boda said. lie: us do
spread of the epidemic in Richmond."
His statement pointed out present con-
ditions in his. own community as one
Conditions in Lee County arc serious,
according to reports reaching the State
at ae1th bn1 DePaotment Ss oao With poPula,ioh
already reported 5000 cases, 500 being
pnspmonla, eY,hoIM,, TesnIitins in 100 deaths
ing and the emergency hospital. which
has been under the direction OF three
foVeEnmeni F. ,aT,1 nurses o from Washington,
with at least sixty deaths.
The state Board OF. Health is send
eenters throughout Virginia supplies Of
n, made Dc, by pr Samuel Budd. professor
Medical College OF Virginia. The fol-
lowing circular is included with The
Shipments
1t represents the strains of streptococ-
Gus and other organisms found present
IN the existing epidemic OF influenza. A
very sign:hcant finding made by Dr.
Budd is that the strcptococcus is the
predominatinS organism, and is re-
sponsihie for a large percentage OF
ing influenza. His conclusions are that
this vaccine given in the early stages
OF influenza is proving @: unqucstion-
anie value in reducing the Incidence
of pneumonia
BERRNEILLE MILITIA COMPANY
HIT HARD BE ,NALADY
Major Joseph lie Masurier found an
unusual situation at Berryvilic last
week when he went there to inspect
Vile company consists Of 105 officers
and men. At the time of inspection
tne captain and Twenty-Five men were
:ecupers ting from influenza, one of the
men had died, another was quaran-
tined Ind twelve were confined to their
h ONES.
IN view OF the. serious menace from
diphther:a. which vii terribly COM
p'icate the,iniuenza situation ii it ap-
pears elsewhere than in Southwest
th:ou~h the medium OF a special cir
cu!ar, is urging all doctors to be oiSI
the. iookou; for this added danger and
to be in pos ton TO secure promptly
N adequate supply of antitoxin.
To physicians throughout Virginia
ne ne soI,2"ns 10y letter has been sent by
commissioner: Dear Doetor.-Acting
Cor DR.. Williams during his Illness, I !
am writing to let :'ou know that diph-
hher'a has appeared as factor com
situate at certain points in the south
est portion OF the state. There is
ample reason for believing that diph-
iberia may appear elsewhere. compli- |
eating or following ianuenza.
ASKS DOCTORS TO LUAHD
AGAINST DIPHTHEHIA epidemic
"Considering the unprecedented de-
'nands being made upon the time and
prising X cases OF diphtheria were
overlooked. This letter, therefore. is
nF ne purpose o: skiing III. doctors
and 20 be in 4 position TO promptly
--, o>lti--S .''.op VI ant
.en' the following; The State Board
the doctors have been ovc.work ed, That
any of them nave been sick. and. :.
tEat renor;ing the number of cases OF |
tnAnenZa has been very difficult. |
,evSrthe:es~. in order that we may be
lc most effectively with the
situation. Il is o. tremendous impor-
tance that we have reliable data on
which TO base conclusions.
May we not therefore. urgently re- .
'iutot tudl you SeHu us ID! llSnt letter. |
collect. IL report from your county. an
s~ering as nearly as possible the fol-
loWing: Number OF cases Of in
fuenza: Number OF cases OF pneu-
monia? Number OF deaths? Is emer-
yency hospital needed at any point In
your cointy? Is hospital equipment
needed? Is need urgent for doctors,
nurses. pharmacists or medical stu
dents?"
REPORTED
IN SIX STATES
Ry Assoc.a ed FresS,l
WASHINGTON. October 2I..- Improve
ment In the influenza situation In six
states was shown by reports received
TO. day by the Publ, Health Service,
but twenty-seven other 81 ltes reported
'hv y ease st II s,. :ading Cnnd tions
where It is estiWated $4,000 cases
have occurred. with probably l5n.O00
in a. Grsf