The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-12-19
LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH
IN SESSION
influenza Situation eai.fs4f Dis
cusSed

At the suggestion Of Carleton 2.
Merrill president of Somerset Branch
of the American Red Cross, meeting
of the Skowhegan Board of Health
was called at the Seectmen's Office.
Monday evening. The Skowhegan
physicians and municipal officers were
invited and few interested citizens
were also present The physicians
attending were Doctors Stinchfield.
Young and GAIA. the last named being
also a member of the Board of Health.
Leslie T. Jacobs, chairman of the
board, Was also present and Fred A
Wood. the third member. arrived
about an hour and half late. just as
the conference was about to adjourn
TIE full board of selectmen and l..
Y Gerrlsh. superintendent of schools
We're in attendance.
Carleton p. Merrill read telegram
from the New England Red Cross
headquarters reporting the spread of
influenza and warning this community
that local resource must be depended
upon. stating that little help as to
nurses or extra medical attendance
could be looked for from outside
From the reports of those present it
appeared that there were niue cases
OF the disease in town. most of them
traeeable to infection in Waterglle
and Fairfield. Fairfield Was called
ON the telephone and a member OF the
Board OF Health of that town gave an
Q innate of 500 cases with three
death on that day tMondayl From
him il Vas learned that there we're
many eases in Wateryille. perhaps
1500 North Arson reported ten
eases, none of them at that time Sc
we're. Local physicians reported that
the nine Skowhegan cases seemed
likely to recover. Chairman Jacobs
Of the Board of Health called atten-
ton to the law requiring physicians
To report cases Of Influenza promptly.
He stated that. in the preceding cpl
demic. only one report was made to
him that being by DIR Stinchfeld, the
patient being his daughter, Miss Lyle.
Mr.. Jacobs reported this to Washing
ton and Augusta so that the records
Of the state and nation doubtless show
that of the millions of cases and
100000 deaths from intluenza in the
United States. Skowhegan had one
clans present took this calling to-task
good humoredly. promising to report
promptly from now on. They COM
menced on the spot, each reporting
the cases then under his care. A
voluntary agreement was also reached
whereby each house containing intiu-
enza patients Is to be placarded and
the public warned to keep ont
II was agreed to ask people of Som
erset communities not to visit homes
where the disease exists and not to
go to neighboring communities where
the epidemic has already developed.
1t happens that our schools are now
closed for the Christmas vacation.
The question of prohibiting all public
gatherings WAS allowed to rest for the
time being. but an order to that effect
will be issued if further eases in any
considerable number develop Houses
are NOT to be quarantined at present
but will be if the requests for isola-
ton are not complied with or if other
circumstances seem To make this step
necessary
NURSES WANTED
II may BE said for our comfort that
the disease here seems not 10 be viru-
lent and fatal in this district To the
extent that it was in the epidemic of a
few weeks since Our previous sad
experience however, makes it only
wise that steps should be taken early
to cope with any possible situation to
this end The authorities ask that
those who would in an emergency on
list IS emergency nurses for local ser
vice leave their names at once at the
Red Cross rooms 1t is not expected
that this service will be rendered
without remuneration. and the neees
sary funds will be provided if occ4-
sion arises.
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE lNFLf-
ENZA
1t Is perhaps the most fatal disease
OF modern times Notwithstanding,
the simple precautions, we'll under
stood by physician and nurses, make
it possible to nurse and work among
those afflicted with comparative safe
ty. These methods are much better
understood now than they were at the
outbreak of the previous epidemic
A serum has been developed which,
administered in season, ensures prac
teal immunity from influenza infee-
ton Its immediate use in any house
hold where the disease breaks out is
recommended by the physicians. This
Is furnished to boards of health With