The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-11
Seeking VACCINE
TO COMBAT FLU
Surgeon-G General Says Problem
Is in Experimental Stage,
But Is Progressing.
FEWER CASES REPORTED
Civilians. Warned Not to Be
Over-Optimistic Over Fine
tuatioIls From Day To
Day.

Washington, Oct. fn--with to-
nights telerraphic report 1dieat 6
Increased prevalence of influenza
among The civilian population, Sur
ISeonGeneral Blue. Of the United
States public health service. author
lied the announcement that every e.
fort Is being insie by the hygienie
laboratory to determine what value,
If any. vaccines may have as a pro-
lection against the disease.
Investigations are being made as to
the cause of influenza aud as to the
part played by carriers in the spread
of the disease.
Nu,nl erless requests have been re-
ceived at Washington for p 0cine
which would afford protectio.s against
the contagion. Surgeon 6iene~a' Blue
has been forced to reply that The Use
/ o. vaccines cannot yet be recommend
ed since the problem stili is i'll an
experimental stage.
Nearly $50 physicians furnished by
the health service are now in the field
fighting the epidemic. with headquar-
( ters organized in more than hirty
cities in the eastern and sou hern
states. The operations arc being car
/ ried on with the active cooperation
of the volunteer medical corps, the
council of national defense and of the
American Red Cross.
/ In states where the disease is at
/ present serious problem. the service
has established local headquarters in
centrally located cities. from which
the work t. being directed in conjunc-
| ton with the relief campaigns under
lway by state and local health authori-
| ties.
| The latest survey of the national
situation by states indicates little pros
! pect of any Immediate abatement of
| the malady. Civilians arr warned not
| to be over optimistic het ause of any
momentary favorable f1uctuation In
the mum bers of new cases or in the
i death rates in particular localities,
/ For example. tonight's report is
saed by the surgeon-general of the
! army shows slight improvement dur
/ ing the past twenty-four hours in the
| conditions prevailing in the training
camps. whereas fresh outbreaks are
reported among civilians from many
! places.
! In Ala bama the disease Is epidemic
! at Florence, Sheffield and Tuscumhia.
| New caZr7 ss-ave Developed in man
/ localities in Arkansas In California
the disease is increa sing in San Fran
cisco, Los Angeles and RIVERSIDE
county.
| Between 500 to 500 mum Qualities
! in Illinois. including Chicago Peoria,
i karkakee and Rockford. report ne Y
cas- s. The disease as now epidemic
at Des Moines, Iowa. The NUMBER
/ of cases at Louisville is increasing.
| but the disease In Kentucky up to
date has been generailv mild.
The epidemic is present in most OF
the counties of Maryland. In Nevada
IL has made its appearance in Washoe
county, and II is now widespread in
South Dakota. The malady IL report
ed to be spreading in Texas and the
state OF washington. Epidemics are
also noted in Virginia and Oregon.
| The slightly falling Off in the army
training camps does not justify the
belief that the epidemic has been mas
tered, but indicates the surgeon saas-
cral IL gradually getting II under con-