The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1918-10-10
TRYING TO STOP
DISEASE SPREAD
INFLUESzA BECOMING EPIDEMIC
State Board of Health Closes Schools.
Churches and Places Ban On All
Gatherings Because Of Influenza.


By order Of the State Board Of
Health, the local schools we're closed
Tuesday on account Of influenza. and
they will remain closed until the out
break of the disease subsidies or until
it becomes so widespread that there
is no further use to attempt to STAY
its spead The local boarding schools
are permitted 70 continue with their
boarding pupils, but day pupils are
forbidden to attend.
In addition to the closing of the
schools, ban is placed on churches.
picture shows and all other gather
ings, and unless there is a change in
the ruling will not only eliminate the
war relics train but also the County
Far. This last named institution has
already cost the Kings Daughters a
considerable sum- and the order will
work great hardship on them.
AT a meeting of the business men
OF Port Gibson Monday night, Coun-
ty Health Officer Chapman was re-
quested to confer with the State
Health Officer relative to holding the
funeral Of young Roberts, the coming
OF the war relics train and the Fair.
1T. chapman did so, and permission
was given to hold the funeral because
IL was IN the open; but the other two
requests were taken under advisement.
Later, however, DIR. Chapman was no.
tilted that it had been decided that
the other two gatherings could not be
held.
The State Health Officer stated in
his telegram that persons infected
with the disease are to be isolated
during illness and four days after re-
covery.
The telegram ordering the County
Health officer to take the step Of clos
ing schools is as follows:
Reports show that epidemic in
1luenza continues to spread. u. S. /
Public Health Service advises discon- |
tinuing all public meetings, public |
school and places of public amuse |
ment on appearance local outbreak I
of influenza, which is hereby ordered
until conditions are relieved. Would |
not advise closing Agricultural High [
Schools, Colleges, or similar institu- I
tions where student body comes from
a distance. Please inform me Of any (
action taken. Request doctors to re-
port cases in their practice to you.
You make report of all cases to Board
Of Health on post card every night,
Urgent.
'LEATHERSp
Later the following letter was re-
seived by County Health Officer Chap
nan:
In view of the fact that many
;ases of Influenza are mild and diff
;ult to diagnose, you are urged to take
he same precautions with such cases
is would be followed with the severe
ases. You are authorized to prevent
he attendance upon school Of any
cases whether it be the
lublic or teacher, and also to prevent
he attendance upon school of all chill
Iren and teachers who may contract
he disease. 1t is also desirable that
II pupils or teachers from families
Vhere cases of Influenza occur be re-
uested not to attend school while
uch sickness exists in the family.
please notify the Principal or Su-
Of each school to CO.
perate with you in the control Of
his disease. All children should be
ent home from school who are suffer
1g from colds, or who may show 2
ymptoms Of Influenza and requested
0 remain at home until they recover.
1T is also desirable that children
e prevented from attending all public
atherings and all persons be advised
OF to attend such places, except when
necessary, for the next few c
Ieeks. /,
1T may be necessary in some local !
les to close the school, the theatre,
nd to prevent all public gatherings p
1r certain length Of time. The S
lealth Officer should authorize that
lis be done when necessary. You b
Mould insist upon rigid observance Of !,
ie regulations for the control of the h
'-called Spanish Influenza on the {,
art of schools.
1T is believed that by strict isola-
on, preventing all pupils and teach 4
s from attending school where cases n
Influenza occur, and by avoiding u
J much as possible public gather
gs, the course of the Irauenza epi-
smic viii be checked and finally sup
.essed.
"In order to protect the individual
well as the public no person who r.,
suffering from this disease should II
tend his place of business. 1t is
gent that the public cooperate in
e prevention Of what may be a state b
ide epidemic. / am,
Every sincerely,
sW. S. LEATHERS, M. D.,
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