The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-10-19
FLuE EPIDEMIC SPREADS.
DISEASE INCREASING IN yIRC-
LENCE IN SOME SECTIONS.
Health Officer Urges People Working
in Groups to Use Gauze Masks.

Health Omcer Urges fSOpic "oThiAS
in Groups to Use GauZe Masks.
Columbia, Oct. IA steadily
widening range in rural communi-
ties a marked increase in virulence
and a measure Of control in cities were
the outstanding features Of the re-
ports on the influenza situation over
the State received yesterday at the
Office of Dr. j. A Hayne, secretary
OF the State board Of health.
The disease is spreading without
abatement in rural communities amt
it is estimated that there are abo4t
10000 cases of influenza in the State.
Sixteen physicians are now working
as acting assistant surgeons of the
United States public health service
under the joint direction Of the State
board of health and the United States
public health service. The services
being rendered by these physicians
are of great value, and they, in COM
mon with other physicians, are not
sparing themselves in their efforts
to check the disease.
Cities are showing themselves able
to handle the disease, but the rural
{ ,mmunities are suffering severely.
,.'i1e visiting habits Of the negro are
well known and have served to dis
tribute the disease widely through
many sections. White farmers when
they hear their neighbors are Ill are
eager to render assistance and as few
precautions are taken as rule to pre-
vent infection, the germs are distrib-
uted and new cases are reported to
the health Office.
DR.. Hayne said yesterday that he
hoped the negro chapters of the Red
Cross would organize relief commit
tees for the rural districts. He said IL
was hoped that some plan would be
devised by which bedding, medicines
and food could be furnished to fa,nl-
lies in distress. The need of nurses.
not necessarily trained, is being felt in
MANY sections, and a committee OF
volunteer nurses to take care OF the
physical needs of those suffering
from the disease now has the oppor-
<tunity to render good service.
Conditions in the rural sections Of
Richland County are bad according to
the State health officer.
DR.. Hayne urges that people work
ing in groups protect themselves
from Infection as much as possible by
wearing gauze masks. The masks
are quickly and cheaply made and are
effective. A strip Of gauze about six
inches wide and some ten or twelve
inches long can be fastened over the
nose and mouth by a string or rub
Der band around the head, and a per-
son is thus rendered practically safe
from the germ Clerks in stores
where customers in all stages OF
health are constantly coming and
going. and employees in public Of
fees can easily take this step to pro
tect themselves.
.Blackville yesterday reported to-
tai Of 500 cases.
Ellenton reported IS cases.
Beaufort reported 25 new cases.
There are four cases at the industrial
school.
Varnville reported 19 new cases.
Olar reported seven new cases.
Conway reported 20 new cases
Aiken reported a total of II cases.
Cross Hill reported a total Of 10
cases. Springfield reported three new
cases. Jonesville reported a total OF
eight cases. Walhalla reported a to-
tai of 72 cases.
Enoree reported lis cases. six
cases Of pneumonia and three deaths.
Hodges has many cases.
Fort Mill reported 500 cases. Hem
ingway reported total of 500 cases.
Nfnety-Six reported 600 cases in the
town and community.
Iva reported 94 cases for Monday
and 25 new cases for Tuesday.
Hartsville reported "a new cases
with total OF 125.
Blackville a new focus Of infection
reported 600 cases with the disease
getting out into the surrounding
country.
Greenwood County has about coo
cases.
Winthrop College reported no cases
of influenza.
Conditions in Mayesville and at
Greeleyville are bad
DR.. Robert J. Speir of Atlanta re-
ported for duty at the State health
office yesterday and goes to Lancas-
ter where the epidemic seems about
at a standstill. More assistance i
needed at Lancaster.
DR.. F. A. Brandt Of Missouri hae
returned from Springfield and report
ed the disease under control. He
goes to Mayesville where there are
some 500 cases.
Dillon reported that one trained
nurse was available for service there
md requested that she be allowed tc
remain.
Conditions in cities over the State
show a general improvement with
the exception Of Charleston. Ruras
communities are becoming more anc
more infected and the virulency o.
the disease is on the increase.