The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-04
OFFICIAL STATEMENT

The statement lSSueu Dy the JolHl
 meeting follows:
 "In view of the recent increase in
 the prevalence of influenza in the city
 of Birmingham and Jefferson county,
 the committee of health met with the
 health officer at 12:30, Monday, Decem-
 Der 2, 1918. for the purpose of giv-
 ing full consideration to the natter
 and in view of the facts obtainable, the
 following resolution was unanimously
 adopted
 After a careful consideration of all
 the available facts relating to the pres ent renewed outbreak of influenza, the
 committee of health is of the opinion
 that the situation at present does nor Justify recommending that another ban be placed on public assemblies. The committee, however, Is uncertain as to
 whether the doctors in the community are properly reporting cases of influ- enza, and wish to urge the cooperation of every physician in order that the committee may keep in proper touch with the situation.
 'In further consideration of the con- ditien a joint meeting was called of the city commission, city board or of education and the county committee of health, in the commissioners office at 2 p. m., December 2. 1918, at which meeting information was submitted by the n6dlIn OlIlCeT anu DI. d. II. l iiliiiPSs of city schools and after a full consideration of all facts avail able and general discussion by all present, the following resolution was adopted:
 SCHOOLS NOT TO CLOSE "Resolved That it be the sense of this meeting that while recognizing the fact that there has been marked in- crease in the prevalence of influenza during the past two weeks, the condi- tions are not considered sufficient to justify the closing of the city schools and places of public assembly. We would urge all citizens to ex- ercise every possible care in avoiding
 the disease by taking the very best pos- sible care of their health and avoiding contact with those who have the dis ease or may have been exposed to tho disease. We would also urge that all doctors make reports of their new cases to the proper authorities every day that we may keep informed as to the prevalence of the disease, and that we
 may be guided by such facts in any further consideration of the situation. School authorities are requested to con- tinue to furnish the health officer daily reports as to the occurrence of sickness among school children as may be in- dicated by the number of children ab- sent from day to day and such infor- nation as can be obtained relating to the cause of the absence
 By H. S. Ward, chairman board of health; N. A. Barrett. president of the fcity commissions; pr. E. F. Hogan, mem Der of board of education, committee" Reports that the flu is prevalent here ! to a greater extent than ever before have been heard from several sources and de- mands for an investigation of the sit
 uation were followed by the meeting yesterday. It will be noted that the health officials see no cause for alarm but urge that all physicians in the city report their cases regularly in order that the true extent of the epidemic may be- made known from time to time
 The Jefferson County Medical society, at its meeting Monday night, recom- mended the immediate closing of all schools, on the ground that pupils were forced to attend schools while the pub | lie was not compelled to visit places of amusement and hence the later should be allowed to remain open.