Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-27
INFLUENZA DEATHS
DECREASE BY TWO
Only 20 Fatalities for a.
Hour Period Ended
Last Night.
CHURCHES NOT TO OPEN

Ihere were twenty-nine deaths
from influenza for the twenty-four-
hour period from 9 O'Clock Friday
nlsht to the same hour last night.
For the same period of twenty-four
hours ending at o'clock Friday night
tneTe We're thirty-one deaths, show
ing decrease Of two deaths.
For the period OF tWenty-four hours
ending at noon yesterday there were
thirty-four deaths from influenza. IN
compared with twenty-five in a like
period the day before.
NO report was made Of new cases
after the official list was given out
at noon yesterday, when the record
showed 402, a decrease of eighty
two cases from the previous twenty
four-hour period.
Health Officers Not Surprised.
The health officers handling the in
fuenza situation express no surprise
at the slight rises and falls of the
record on the chart, saying that such
conditions are naturally to be ex-
pected for number of days, when
the record will be stabilized for a day
or two, and then it is certain. unless
unlooked-for developments should
arise, that the record of both deaths
and new cases will show a steady
fall from day to day until the city
is back to its normal health condi-
ton and practically free from danger
of contagion.
60
s1operS refused yesterday to raise the
ban on the churches as asked for by
a delegation of ministers who called
on Health Officer Fowler and asked
him to recommend to the Commits
sioners that the churches be opened
today, does not mean, the health off,
Gals say, that they are not well as
sured from the records in hand that
the major danger Of the contagion is
passed. but the position taken by
DR.. Fowler. who declined to give in
dorsement to the views expressed by
the clergy. was taken as matter
of public safety.
To Lift Ban as Soon as Possible.
It is the intention of the author
tiles of the District health depart
ment and the United States public
health service. handling the situa-
tion, to recommend to the Commits
sioners the raising of the ban Just
as soon as they are satisfied that all
danger from influenza has been re-
moved and that it sis safe to do SO.
Surgeon Mustard Of the United
ing. the activities of that service.
in conjunction with the District
health department, said last night
that the work under his direction
was being carried out with the best
results, all. calls for physicians and
nurses being promptly met. He says
materially and most of the cases re-
ported in the past few days show
that the disease. is of a. less severe
type than it has been. He. is in need
of additional volunteers with auto
mobiles to handle the physicians and
sick. Volunteers may be enrolled at
any time Of day or night by calling
the headquarters of the service in
the Webster school building at 10th
and H streets northwest.
The Red Cross activities are being
continued with vfgor, that organiza-
tion rendering splendid service
night and day. In addition to look
ing after the sick It is supplying
nurses, food and other needs.
The charitable organizations and
churches. Dr.. Mustard says. are in
the fight against the influenza with
a snap and vim that is telling. Every
one Of the hundreds Of volunteers is
working long hours without COM
The emergency hospital for infiu-
enxa patients at 18th and Virginia
avenue northwest is a strong factor
in caring for the sick and is doing
a wonderful service, taking care OF
all cases offered. There is room
there for all who may need hospital
attention.