Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-21
MiIdness of Recent Cases
of Influenza Regarded as
SIGN of Diseases Wane


health situation. pointed out by the
District health authorities and the
public health service, is that the new
cases developing and which are I'M
der treatment in the private homes,
and especially those at the public
health service emergency hospital,
18th street and Virginia avenue, are
of a much milder type than cases I'M
der treatment and observation early
last week.
DR.. j. G. Wilson Of the public health
service, in charge of the emergency
hospital operated under the direction
of his service, believes the mildneSS
OF the new cases coming inv and re-
ports of home cases indicate that the
disease is slowly disappearing.
Health Office records show that all
new cases now of record are much
nlildcr than those handled during the
earlier period, when the health au-
tborities were marshaling their forces
and organizing the factors to combat
the disease.
DR.. Mustard Back at Duties.
DIR. Mustard, who has been confined
to his apartments for the past week.
suffering from influenza. returned to
his headquarters in the Webster
school building this morning. He
is again personally directing the work
of tho United States public health
service.
A. G. Cole, chief clerk of the Dis
trict health department, who has been
confined to his home the past week
suffering from a mild attack of inf1u-
cnza, was at his desk this morning.
Miss Marie Sims, private secretary
to and a sister-in-law of Commits
sioner Louis Brownlow, resumed her
duties this morning, after an absence
of several days last week looking
after members of her family suffering
from influenza. Miss Sims reports
to his bed. but much improved. Mrs.
BrOWnlow, who has also been ill with
influenza. is very much improved. Miss
Sims says. :.
Policemen and Firemen Recovering
The public utilities and the police
and fire departments reporting to the
health office this morning the number
CT men ill with influenza shows n
marked decline in the number of men
off duty by reason of the illness, as.
compared with Friday and Saturday
Friday there were 146 men i'll on the
Capital Traction Company, on Saturday
40, and today 1872.
The Washington Railway and Elec-
URIC Inquiries are 1OT Tue
three days, 153, 141. $50.
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company, 200. 100, $50.
District of Columbia fire depart:
ment, SO. IS. 60.
Police department; 141, 123. 100.
There are 156 patients in the emer-
gency influenza hospital at 18th street
and Virginia avenue. This is an in
crease over Saturday Of sixty-one,
when there were ninety-five cots oc-
cupied by patients. Friday there
were seventy cases.
This emergency hospital, operated
under the direction of Surgeon Cen
eral Blue of the United States Public
Health Service. with DR.. j. G. Wilson
of that service in charge, is prepared
to care for all cases sent there. Ad-
ditiona1 trained nurses are needed
there. but with that exception there
is a corps of public health service
physicians to take care of the sick,
with soldier and woman orderlies
trained and unframed nurses and 9TH
ers to help in the work.
Conditions Now Improving.
Since the opening of the hospital
last week there have been twelve
deaths. Most of these fatalities were
due to the advanced stage of the dis
ease when the patients reached the
hospital.
The worst conditions are over and
the health authorities are in position
to render medical and other service
for the sick and offer a high-class
hospital treatment. 1t is believed by
the health authorities that many of
the deaths in the early stages of the
epidemic were due to lack of physi-
clans. medical attention, nurses and
hospital facilities and medicines.