The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-31
Health Boards
Lift Flu" Bans
City and State Departments Rescind
Orders Closing Churches. schools,
Theaters and Soda Fountains.

WY ana Stho' h7Nttbu
Orders Closing Churches. schools,
Theaters and Soda Fountains.
Tho bar on churches. schools.
theater~. soda fountains and other
places that have felt the, clamp
ing down OF the lid has been lift
cd. effective next sunday morn
ing at & O'Clock.
A. was forcastcd I'm The tir-
ginia yesterday. the city and state
health departments acted stimuli
tancousty. and apparently I'm
thorough accord With one an
other. in The matter of reScind-
ing the closing order promul-
gated by the health authorities
almost four weeks ago.
Chief Health officer Roy X. Elan .
nagan. prior 10 his departure yester-
day for Chariot esviile, directed the
following communication to the ad-
ministrativc board on which thu lat
ter is expected to take favora Bile ac-
ton this morning.
1T In the present purpose of the
Eeity health department fo rescinh Its
action closing all churches. sunday
schools. public and private schools,
theaters motion picture houses, dance
halls, pooiroonis. side shows and soda
fountains. this action 10 take effect at
6 O'Clock A. NJ. on Sunday, Novem :
Der & Therefore, unless orders are
issued to the contrary interested par
ties may govern Themselves accara-
tngty.
in consequence of this action, tt
is anticipated that there will he a
slight rise in the mum Der of cases or
influenza in the city. In order to re-
duce this number to the minimum.
thu health department urges that the
custodians OF all places mentioned
above which are not provided with
adequate working systems of forced
ventilation shall keep the windows
open. instructing audiences to dress
themselves warmly. in order 10 pre-
vent being chilled II practicable, on
dismissal audiences should he re-
quested TO go out in single file, avoid
ing crowjing as much as possible"
State Board Acts.
At A meeting of the executive com
mittee of the state board OF health,
held at 1890 O'Clock yesterday morn
ing. the following preamble and res
olution N regard to the Influenza sit
uation was adopted
The state board Of health desires
to express its grateful appreciation of
the splendid and thorough co-opera
fion of all the agenci IS and individual III
in the state who have, with self~denial
and the sense OF public good. cooper
atcd in every way TO carry out its
suggestions during this very trying
period covering the present serious
epidemic of influenza. which, it is
glad to state, Is generally subsiding.
Be IL resolved Their afpre
That, while the state board OF
health does not think the danger OF
the spread of influenza is over, and
that. while certain precautions here
after to be enumerated are necessary,
1t believes it can advise that on Sun
day at = A, NJ. November 3. restric-
tons may be lifted 10 large extent
in most communities in Virginia de-
pending upon the prevalence and
severity OF the epideHfie In those com
munities.
The board further suggests that
direct action should he taken by local
health authorities tc release these re-
strtcttons as they deem advisable.
Further. be il resolved, that COM
munities should be warned that pub
lie gatherings are still dangerous. un-
less the buildings are well ventilated.
and that those who have colds, coughs
at home, and that close personal con-
tact should be avoided as much as
possible. The common drinking cup
10 absolutely prohibited by state
law, and this includes the common
communion cup. The board would
also advise those drinking beverages
to use straw. and 1t hopes that the
public will! show the same co-opera-
ton in carrying out these simple pre-
cautions in the future that 1t has in
the past"
Epidemic Ahates.
One hundred and twenty new
cases and seven additional deaths
from influenza ANA pneumonia were
reported to the city health department
yesterday. carrying the total number
of cases reported to 1865 and the
death toll to $50.
Late last night fourteen patients
had been discharged from the John
Marshall emergency hospital during
the day, leaving ninety-one persons
afflicted with grippe or pneumonia ssill
in the building.
1t IL anticipated that the remaining
patients will be out Of the inntitution
by Saturday and that the building
can be turned over to the school
hoard late Saturday evening or SUM
1ny.