Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-19
INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC
CONTINUES SERIOUS
Health Authorities Do Not
Listen to Pleas to Open
Institutions.
489 NEW CASES REPORTED
Death List Grows. With Pros
pect of Becoming Even
More Alarming.

With total of $50 deaths In Rich
mond from the epidemic OF Spanish in
hucnza that assailed this CITY two
weeks ago and is still battcring at
its walls. 4s9 new cases having been
reported yesterday. comes a complaint
from some who would have the schoo,s
and churches reopened immediately
O'iicials in the City Health Department
yesterday pointed out that the highest
Death list yet was attained on TUESDAY.
october 10. while incomplete Statistics
indicate that the numb Of deaths act
uaily occurring on any one day In all
PROBABILITY happened even later than
mat; Ihat; with the death rate. in other
words: growing steadily from October
10 the present time. the City HcaltI.
department looks with depreciation ON
ihe persistent clamor for premature
rcopenins of public institutions.
The total number of cases reported
yEesttsrday Ea,t,S y at closing time at the city
deaths reported yesterday were thirtvs
eight. and OF this number. thirtv.onc
,rri rexni,ed ihs from the epidemic. The total
tober 1-l5 was 3s7, and 2s2 Of these re.
suited from the grippe. The total mum
Der Of deaths due 10 Spanish intiuen-
"a and the admixture of pneumonia
afternoon was $50. While This condi
ton obtains the City Health Depart
inent is determined. it seems. that a
rHactionary sentiment shall not force
1t to open public doors in undue haste.
DEATH LIST SHOWS STEADY
INCREASE SINCE OCTOBER I
Statistics at the City Health Depart
ment show that deaths In this city from
october ! to IL have been as follows:
Isl. sixteen deaths: End. nine; Sd. elev-
en-: ith. seventeen: 9TH. twenty: 9Th.
twenty-two: eth. twenty-two: Still.
,nirty,fye; 9th. twenty-one; 10th. thir-
three: 13th. forty-one; I4th, thirty-one: !:
10th. torty-eight. These figures may
Increase and later days may outdo the
raNageS OF the 10Th.
the City Health Department thinks that
the Epidemic is well in hand. and that
conditions are improving. 1t feels that
tai as TO the period OF abatement until
it will be safe for churches and schools
DIR. ". r., Garnet, Acting STATE
Eealth Commissioner, stated yesterday
thnt n; - reports indicate an Improved CON
been to date eighty deaths In Pulaski,
town OF but 1000 Inhabitants at the
outside. There, too, the mnlady seems
te be abating. as is the case in most
counties where an epidemic has ragged.
CATHOLIC WOMEN CONTINUE
HELPFUL FIGHT AGAINST FLU
The relief work ,of the Catholic
Women's Auxiliary of the Red Cross
society continues TO make itself felt
IN The local fight against the epidemic
Miss Kate Laube, the chairman Of the
auNtliary, Is regarded by her associates
IN this work almost as an institution.
Miss Laube. although the work Is not
entirely over. is expressing her thanks
to those who have helped her in all
manners, Persons wishing to contri-
butte 10 the cases will cali Miss Laube,
Boulevard S26-J.
The soup Kitchens al the Churches
OF the various denominations are still
engaged in their work OF furnishing
necessary nourishment to families that
are unable to prepare their own food
They still do n thriving business, but
are not SO busy as several days ago
The large death rate from the hang
over cases of pneumonia is Keeping
the undertakers busy. According TO
health officials. the death rate may not
decline in direct proportion to the new
cases. This alarming condition will
be due 10 the large number of pneu-
nonia cases.
II will be the policy of the authorities
to care for the sick IN IL manner TO
expedite the restoration of the John
Marshall High School for educational
purposes. The third floor will likely
be restored first. 1t is expected that
the building Will be calcnlined as we'll
as fumigated before resumed as
school ROOM There is little hope this
school will reopen before November l.
and perhaps not SO soon.