Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-04

Drastic as I. Is, the Closing Order Warrants
Acceptance as Sane Preventive
Measure

w enemy in war, unconditional sur
render is dependent upon unconditional
rgor and severity of opposition. Upon
this pertinent principle is wisely justified
the most drastic general closing orders
executed in this city and State for many
years.
1t is highly likely that parleying with
the Spanish grip was largely responsible
for its extension in. this country. Vic
tory over it, to be complete, can be
won by prompt and decisive measures.
Doctor Krusen has taken them in issu-
ing his ruling whereby theatres, churches.
motion-picture houses and other places
of public assemblage are temporarily
shut. The regulations of the State
Health Commissioner are even more com
prehensive and compel the closing of
saloons.
Rightly viewed the rigor and sudden
ness of the orders should inspire conf
dence rather than anxiety. Any indul-
gence in a case of nerves over the situa-
tion is folly. Philadelphia in its history
has experienced more dangerous and
even more contagious epdemics than this
twentieth century form of grip.
Plaques of the past have thriven on
lilatory treatment. The well-organized
offensive against poliomyelitis in 1916 re-
suited in its virtual determination here.
Coming in the summer time. the regula-
ticns naturally interrupted the normal
course of metropolitan life much less
than the present ones. On the other
hand, swifter and sharper strokes against
infantile paralysis might possibly have
speeded its extinction.
The present action of the health au-
thorities is taken less to conquer a great
crisis than to prevent its existence. If
transient hardships must pay for this
foresight the price is cheap. A much
more legitimate complaint on the subject
the disease was regarded during its early
manifestations.
That Spanish influenza was brought to
this country by European steamships
with which quarantine and port officials
were lenient cannot be specifically
proved, for several cases of it broke out
in Greater New York almost stimuli
taneously with the cables announcing its
ravages in Spain. 1t is also matter of
record that the epidemic's double, origi-
nally called Russian grip. beat the
fastest vessels in its fight from Europe
to America in 1888. A theory that the
germs were blown over the Atlantic by
wind currents is still held.
Nevertheless. it is demonstrable that
the present epidemic did not assume Sc
rious proportions until after the Nor
wegian steamship Bergensfjord, with a
record of four deaths from influenza at
sea, had been permitted to pass the New
York quarantine and several persons suf-
fering from the disease had been allowed
to land. The worst cases were treated in
the Norwegian hospital, but were not
isolated.
On the voyage of the Bergensfjord
two hundred passengers were smitten by
the grip at one time. The American
health officials were unafraid of infec-
ton because their diagnosis of the cases
read pneumonia. AS this disease has
been proved to be the really perilous
sequel of grip there can be little doubt
that indifference and its common ac-
compartment - ignorance - permitted a
plague ship to pass muster.
There are other instances Of similar
carelessness all along the Atlantic sea-
board. including one in this city with
regard to the British steamship City of
Exeter. from which vessel three sailors,
suffering from what was then called a
peculiar disease" died later in the Uni
versity Hospital. 1t seems idle to
ascribe the spread of influenza to the
dastardy methods of the Hun while
evidences of our own laxity are so strik-
ing.
1t is precisely reprehensible disregard
of precautions against which the present
step of the Philadelphia health authori-
ties is sensibly taken. Hope. not dis
may. should mark the reception of the
closing order. Firm expectation that the
disease will be vigorously checked should
be accompanied with scrupulous CO.
operation on the part of each individual
citizen. Fresh air. censorship of the
sneeze, plenty of sunlight and avoidance
wherever possible of crowds are cardina
features of the personal campaign
against the "fu."
Facing the situation cheerfully, with
ones armor fully girded against panicky
irresponsbles, will hasten the return Of
normal health conditions and strengthen
the hands of the authorities now ener
getcally working to keep the public well
| "Blest be the bonds that tie" our fighting
! men abroad TO the strong support of tn,
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