Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-11-21
"FLU" WORSE THAN WAR.
Deaths Exceed War Losses Toll in
Camps Equal Battle Deaths.

Camps Equal Battle Deaths.
Washington. Nov. 21.-Deaths from
influenza in the United States greatly
exceeded the deaths among American
troops abroad, according to an esti-
mate prepared by the bureau Of the
census. It Is also estimated by the
bureau Of public health that the deaths
from influenza and pneumonia in
camps and cantonments in this coun-
try nearly approached the number
killed in actual battle among the ex-
peditionary forces. y
The bulletin issued by the bureau OF
census on the ravages elbows that the
highest mortality per thousand was In
Philadelphia, with Baltimore next
1.-THE influenza epidemic has thus
far taken much heavier toll Of Amer
lean life than has the great war" says
the bulletin. 1The total loss OF life
thruout the country Is not known, but
the bureau Of the census has been
publishing. for forty-six cities having
combined population estimated at
20, O00, 900, weekly reports showing the
mortality from influenza and pneu-
monia. These reports, which cover
the period from Sept. 8 to Nov. 9, in
elusive, SHOW d lOIdl VI c6,oVo uSotiA'
from these causes. It is estimated that
during a similar period Of time the
number of deaths in the same cities
would be about 1000, leaving approx
mately $4,000 as the number properly
chargeable to the epidemic.
1.-The total casualties in the Amer
lean expeditionary forces have recent
ly been unofficially estimated at lO0'-
600. On the basis Of the number thus
far reported it may be assumed that
the deaths from all causes, including
disease and accidents, are probably
less than As per cent Of the total cas-
ualties. On this assumption the loss
| Of life IN the American expeditinnary
forces to date is about 100000 or 10
900.
THUS, in forty six American cities
| having a combined population OF only
a little more than one fifth the total
for the country the mortality resulting
from the influenza epidemic during the
nine weeks period ended Nov. was
nearly double that In the American
expeditionary forces from the time the
contingent landed in France until the
cessation Of hostilities.
N"For the forty six cities taken as a
group the epidemic reached its height
during, the two weeks ended Oct. rs,
for which period 40,7S2 deaths were re-
ported-19,s3S for the week ended Oct
10 and 1854 TOR the following week.
Since Oct. Is, however. the decline has
been pronounced. During the week
ended Nov. 2, 1887 deaths occurred,
and during the following week only
1873. The only city in which the mum
Der Of deaths reported for the week
ended Nov. 8 exceeded the number oc-
curing during the previous week was
Spokane, Wash.
'In general, the epidemic traversed
the country from east to west. IN
number Of eastern cities. notably Bos-
ton, where the greatest mortality oc-
| Cured during the week ended Oct. .
the largest numbers OF deaths were
reported for earlier peiods than that
which covered the height OF the -4epi-
demic for the forty-six cities taken as
group. On the other hand, In New
Haven. New York. Pittsburgh. and
Rochester, the maximum mortality oc-
Cured somewhat later than in eastern
| cities generally, In Baltimore, Buffalo
| and Philadelphia the two weeks period
ended oct. 2S showed the greatest
number OF deaths. For the entire nine
weeks period the greatest mortality
due to the epidemic. in proportion to
population-7.4 per 1,000-occurred IN
Philadelphia. and the next greatest
81 per l.00o-was reported for Balti-
more"