The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-19


Increase, 70.
The curves of the influenza and pneu.
monia epidemic in Greater New York
moved UP and down, respectively, yes
terday as had been prophesied by the
medical profession for some weeks. The
figures of the Health Department, which
are admittedly half the actual number
OF cases. showed an increase in influenza
cases and a decrease In pneumonia.
There was an increase in the total num-
Der Of deaths from both diseases.
In Staten Island. the heads Of the
three big shipyards sent an appeal to
Borough President Calvin d. Van Name
20 close all motion picture houses, thea
tres. schools, saloons, soda fountains
and other places where persons congre-
gate This appeal was forwarded to
the Mayor with the request that orders
DO Issued Immediately to the proper au-
thorities. In their appeal the shipbuild-
ers asserted that the efficiency Of the
yards has been decreased 40 per cent.
Commissioner Of Health Royal S.
Copeland refused to comment upon the
appeal. but said he would be prepared 20
answer It to-day.
12s Deaths In Richmond.
In the Borough Of Richmond there
were reported by the health authorities
IFS deaths from 10 o'clock last Saturday
10 10 o'clock yesterday morning. with a
total OF 1.400 reported Influenza cases.
1t 10 the general belief of physicians on
staten Island that more than 25 per
cent. OF the new cases are not reported.
This belief Ii based on the fact that
the doctors In Richmond have 30 many
n lrt&t
ing between thirty and 100 cases each
dAy-that they have placed notices on
their office doors reading mo office
hours" They believe that a large per-
centage OF the cases not reported are
those which have visited the Offices
and then returned to their homes where
they have treated themselves. There
also is a large percentage of cases where
no attempt has been made to secure the
services of a physician.
All OF the Staten Island hospitals are
hlled to capacity with victims of the
epidemic. and while the Health Depart
ment has taken over the Seaside Hos
pital at New Dorp. II was reported last
night that 1t was soon filled to capacity.
The school attendance in Richmond
has dropped at least so per cent ac-
cording to the local Board of Educa-
ton. The Staten Island Academy at
81 George. a private institution with
l,so0 pupils, closed its doors yesterday.
Wants schools Kept Open.
Reports from the other four boroughs
snow there has been a falling Off in
school attendance. but the Health Com
missioner stated emphatically that he
would prefer keeping the schools open.
He said that in his mind 1t would be
IN H. 1I.
school rooms, even II the endemic
reaches a point where lack of teachers
would necessitate the calling of vol
unteers to amuse them.
While he Is against the closing of
the schools Dr. Copeland said he will
confer with his Advisory Emergency
Council to-day at noon. At this con-
ference all matters concerning the epl-
demic in New York will be discussed.
The Commissioner announced also
that the Polytechnic Hospital, a private
institution In West Fiftieth street, was
taken over by the Health Department
yesterday. He said that on Thursday
evening the superintendent Of city and
other hospitals reported that they could
care for no more male patients and that
after conference with army authori-
ties, who were going to take the hos
pftal next Monday, It was released for
immediate use in the local situation
Polytechnic Hospital has. a capacity OF
350 beds. but is not equipped with a
stan Of physicians and nurses.
DIR. Copeland said that in preparing
10 turn over the institution to the army
on Monday the hospital authorities have
been thinning out their patients en5
releasing their star. no that only seyer
nurses remained vhe,. the Health NJ.
partment assumed conssoI.
An Appeal Tor volunteers.
Asked about the need for nur.es IN
The city tha comn,iss,onar said az.
400 are wanted now. but that there /.