Evening journal., 1918-10-07
EPIDEMIC AT meade
NOW UNDER CONTROL
Marked Drop in Number
of New Cases, But Pneu-
monia Increases
CHAPLAIN DIES
WHILE ON DUTY

CAMP MEADE, Md., Oct IA decided
drop in the number of new influenza
cases gave assurance yesterday that
the epidemic is now under control. he
new cases totaled 367. The spread of
pneumonia. however, took a decided
jump and ZIG flu patients In the past
II hours developed the more serious
disease The death list for yesterday
included Lieutenant John L. McCarty,
a chaplain, formerly Of one of the large
Catholic churches Of Pittsburgh.
Father McCarty only reported here
few weeks ago lie was assigned to
the list Infantry, where the influenza
first became serious, and his work
among the sick and dying has been
tireless. In his desire 10 serve as long
as he had the strength TO stand up he
gave no thought Of his own health. The
other priests have been so constantly
on duty in the hospital that fear has
been expressed for them, but they
rarely take more than four hours
day for rest.
Martin j. McGinnty, a Knights OF
Columbus secretary, and a former
member Of the national guard, died yes
terday. Mr.. McGlnnty was discharged
on account Of a knee injury, but
seemed TO be in perfect health i'm every
other respect until he contracted "lu"
while engaged in welfare work in the
hospitals Miss Eltie NJ. Perkins, an
army nurse from North Carolina, died
yesterday.
The deaths for yesterday were 10,
making the total 2i3
One mother found this a place Of JOY
Gus surprise. She came with a tele-
gram in her hand referring to the ill
ness of her son. The telegram was
brief. but it was emphatic in declaring
that the boy was in a bad way, Like
visitors i'm the normal times, she went
To the Y. w. C.. A. hostess house first,
although that is a hospital now as well
as a refuge for the visiting mothers.
DR.. Florence Dyer. the hostess, and her
assistants got in touch at once with
the unit TO which the sick boy be-
longed. The first good news that they
tot was that he was recovering ana
was resting up for a few days. The
mother hurried up TO the commander
of the company and put up this prop
osition If YOU let him go home with
me / will get him back TO his health
in a hurry-in five days After the
usual consultation with the medical
officers and other officers the neces-
sary pass was issued.
Visitors came into camp yesterday,
but only those who had kilograms with
! regard TO the serious illness OF some
/ kin. The mere fact that a soldier here
! is IN is not in itself sufficient reason
! io admit a relative or friend. If every
sick soldier had guests then the wards
Of the hospital would be so crowded
that il would be impossible for the
medical officers, nurses and chaplalns
10 make the rounds. The best thing
that can be sent TO camp is a letter
If the soldier here isn't sick he viii
enjoy the letter Just as much. II ne Is
sick ne will have somebody to send
reply as TO HIS condition.
All flags float at half-staff. That Is
the tribute which the company pays
dav after day TO its dead. Even now
there Is talk Of some form Of memorial
10 all who are missing the chance they
sought TO do heroic deeds in France
| In some regimental headquarters the
list is posted and kept up to date as
new names are added. When the VIC
/ tory over the dread nalady has been
| won IL Is likely that formal memorial
exercises will be held.
It is too soon TO plan for this, now
ever. for while the disease isn't spread
ing so fast as on days Of the last week
and the number Of discharged patients
grows greater day by day, there are
serious cases that are dragging on
which may figure in the death list.
There are hundreds Of cases Of pneu-
monia and some are serious. The re-
ports as 90 deaths are given out accur-
ately and promptly and no one but an
unpatrotic gossip will exaggerate these
figures.
The man Of the hour in dealing with
the "nu" situation is Lieutenant Col
onel II. C.. Pflsbury, division surgeon
Ills work is something like that nc
wCHld have to handle in battle. Thus
his whole force, four field hospital anC
many smaller medical detachments, art
getting training OF a kind TO be Of value
to them over there
The coming week will see another bis
combat problem taken up with the for
eign officers as advisers. General Jess'
McCarter, division commander, and his
stan and virtually all officers are work
ing harder now than ever. The worl
on the target range is going forward
without interruption, and the division
is making records that indicate clearl,
that the Huns will have to keep on The
run at a lively clip to escape.