The sun., 1918-10-26
REIGN OF GRIP HERE
SLOWLY NEARS end
DIR. Copeland Looks for Big
Decrease in New Cases
Next Week.
MAYOR AIDS IN BURIALS
Letter Bids Health Commits
sioner Send Lab0rers to
Dig Graves.

with a smaller number OF new infiu-
ehxa and pneumonia cases being re-
ported to the Health Department yes
terday and with discharges from the
city hospitals greater than admissions,
the epidemic which has held New York
In its grasp and at times assumed criti-
cal proportions appears to be burning
itself out slowly but steadily.
Health Commissioner Royal S. Cope
land, while not admitting that the cpl
demic is over, said yesterday the figures
were gratifying and he believes that
next week will see n sudden and big
decrease in new cases.
Since the Health Department began 10
record the epidemic figures, ss.556 "asAs
OF influenza were reported with 1916
deaths therefrom. The figures also show
1887 pneumonia cases and 1884 pneu-
yionia deaths.
II was announced that the Health
Department has been instrumental in the
arrest Of 500 spitters who have been
fined from 81 to 500 apiece and that
large number OF subway smokers have
paid fines for their forbidden puffs. At
the same time DR.. Copeland announced
that the inspectors of the Department
will Immediately begin the enforcement
Of the section of the sanitary code which
prohibits dry sweeping in subway and
IL stations and that arrests will be
made when violators are found.
Hylan Aids Cemetery Problem.
The Mayor came to the front in the
cemetery situation when he sent the fol-
lowing letter to all Of the Borough Presi-
dents:
Conditions are such in the cemeteries
throughout the city that the cemetery
authorities are not able to handle the
situation. although some of them have
refused assistance. I have asked the
Health Commissioner TO disregard this
and exercise his authority under the law
and send men to the cemeteries to as
sist in burying the dead.
DIR. Copeland will call upon you for
laborers. and l will appreciate It very
much II you will assist him in every
possible way. Picks and shovels will be
needed also"
A similar letter was sent from City
Hall to the Street Cleaning Commits
sioner.
In order to facilitate the fight being
made by the authorities against the
epidemic. the Internal Revenue Collector
In the Third New York district yesterday
announced the modification Of the law
prohibiting the refilling OF narcotic pre-
scriptiops. The modification reads:
prescriptions calling for morphine,
codeine or heroin which are written by
registered practitioners for patients suf-
fering from Spanish influenza and any
pulmonary or bronchial affections may.
until further notice. be refilled. provided
that at the time Of issuance by ply
sieians instructions are noted in the
body Of such prescriptions, Repeat u
necessary" and the druggist filling and
refilling the same shall note thereon
each and every date upon which such
prescription is refilled."
Help for Police FamiIies.
Mrs. Ellen A. O'Grady. Fifth Deputy
Police Commissioner appealed Yesterday
20 acting Commissioner John A. Leach
for financial aid for the families OF
policemen who have died or been stricken
during the epidemic. Mrs. O'Grady said
tina, the last dollar in the welfare bu-
reau of the department had been ex-
pended and that there is pressing need
for assistance.
Ia the course OF her appeal Mrs.
OGrady enumerated that of the police
meE who have died as the result of the
epidemic the majority were men who
were not entitled to pensions. The
been aided by other members of the
department and members of the Women
Police Reserves have voluntarily nursed
those who have been ill.,
The acting Police Commissioner said
that he would start a fund among the
policemen in the city by taxing each man
IS cents
New jersey ban Lifted.
DR. Jacob c. Price, State Director of
Health in New Jersey. said last nigh.
that the statewide quarantine on in
fuenza and pneumonia will be lifted to-
night II conditions permit. Word has
been received from smaller New Jersey
cities that the local quarantine meas
ures adopted at the apex of the disease
are being done away with.
Mayor Gillen of Newark, ". j., wrote
a letter to Gov. Edge last night demand
ing the resignation of the State Director
of Health IL the Governor upon invests
cation finds that Dr. Price ordered the
statewide quarantine without sufficient
authority.