New-York tribune., 1918-10-17
DR.. Copeland Says Figures
Show Influenza Has Real
Hold in City
5,113 New Cases Are
Reported During Day
$50 More Deaths Occur as
Authorities Work to
Prevent Spread

More than 100000 New Workers have
been stricken with Spanish influenza
since the beginning of the epidemic,
according to Health Commissioner
Copeland. Of this number; the COM
missioner said yesterday, not more
than so per cent have been reported
TO the Board of Health through laxity
on the part of physicians or their
failure to diagnose the disease prop
crly
Dr.. Copeland based these conclusions
on the death rate Of the disease at
Camp Upton of which he was informed
Yesterday If New York's death rate
IS similar to that which obtained in
the army cantonment he said, at least
10000 persons are now suffering from
influenza here.
This. the Health Commissioner as
serted, is most satisfactory showing
So far only II of the entire city's
population is believed to have been
affected.
51l3 New Cases Reported
The actual number of new influenza
cases brought to the attention of the
department Yesterday totalled 5,113,
Manhattan showing 2,232; Bronx, $40;
Brooklyn, 1,419; Queens, 400, and
Richmond. 213. There we're 585 new
pneumonia sufferers also reported.
Manhattan is credited with 3O4, Bronx,
1913; Brooklyn, 81; Queens, SIS, and
Richmond. Is.
The deaths from both influenza and
pneumonia totalIed 333, Manhattan
having 247; Bronx. "a; Brooklyn, 225;
Queens, 80. and Richmond, 1S.
The reports indicate an increase of
JS8 new influenza cases over the re-
port of the day previous. Pneumonia
is also shown to have jumped 249
above Tuesdays figure.
The increase in the cases reported is
accredited largely to the activities of
the emergency council workers, who
are conducting canvass in each of
the fortyfive zones of the city in
search of unreported cases of both in
HucHL| anu pneumonia.
70 date thare have been reported
48,024 cases of Influenza and 5,O47 cases
OF pneumonia in the city, totalling 53,-
OIL. Estimating this to be only SO per
cent of the cases developed here since
September 18, the diseases have ap-
peared in 106, i42 persons. During the
last seven days, which is considered
the extreme period of the disease in
each case, there have been 3O,332 cases
Nf inf md
which. il is calculated, would bring the
present number of those afflicted to
6O,664. These figures approximately
coincide with the total of cases in
Commissioner Copeland's estimate
based on the death rate. Deaths total
5.102 for the period Of the epidemic
This number, if considered as S per
cent of those afflicted, would bring
the total number OF cases up to
10000.
Copeland Dodges Criticism
The reported cases and the tabula-
ton from day TO day, it is said is only
reliable in that 1t forms an index Of
the progress of the disease in the COM
munity. When asked if he cared to
reply to statements alleged to have
been made by certain physicians that
there now are between 100000 and
100000 cases of influenza in the citv.
the Commissioner said that there is no
methcd of arriving at conclusion.
The Commissioner said that about so
per cent Of the physicians have failed
TO make reports to the department in
accordance with the demands of the
Board of Health
Commissioner Copeland suggested in
a letter to Postmaster General Burle-
son that the departments of health
should be granted franking privi-
lege on mail matter in epidemic emer-
gencies to facilitate the filing of ply
siclans' reports
The emergency relief organizations
working in cooperation with the de-
partment perfected It's plants for car
ing for the epidemic victims in Brook
lyn. The parental school building at
Queens has been made ready to receive
patients, if the need appears. Arnold
Wood, military director for the At
lantic division of the Red Cross. has
arranged for $50 additional beds at
Kingston Avenue Hospital, and the
Jewish Hospital in Brooklyn is plan
ming to extend its normal capacity by
100.
Decrease Seen In Jersey
A slight decrease in the epidemic is
reported from various points in New
Jersey and other Eastern states, but
the disease is reported to be spread
ing rapidly in states west of the Miss
issippi River.
The epidemic in the coal fields Of
Pennsylvania has reduced the coal out
put between 100000 and 1900 900
tons during the month
Some landlords of the city are de-
chning to supply heat in the apart
ment houses and business places OF
the city, according to complaints filed
with the Department of Health, claim
ing that the Federal ban on the use of
fuel is still in effect. Health Com
missioner Copeland yesterday called
attention to the lifting Of the con-
servation order by the fuel administra
tion and issued the following state
ment:
There must be heat in every home
in this city.
1t is not safe for the persons re-
covering from influenza or pneu-
monia to inhabit cold house.
Chilling of the body is factor in
the development of these diseases.
Asks Tammany to Aid
Charles F. Murphy read letter from
Health Commissioner Copeland last
night at a meeting of the executive
committee of Tammany Hall asking for
the cooperation of the Tammany or
ganlzatlon IN reporting undiscovered
cases of influenza and pneumonia. The
Health Commissioner expressed the
opinion that there were many such
lacking attention and comfort.
1t was decided to turn the entire