Evening journal., 1918-11-23
HOW STATE COUNCIL OF
DEFENSE EOUCHTINFLUENZA

Charles Topkis. chairman OF The
health commission OF the Council OF
Defense OF Wilmington. has submitted
the following report bearing on the re
cent influenza epidemic:
To Hon. John w. Lawson, Chairman OF
the Council Of Defense.
Honorable Sir:
On Thursday, September 26th, your
honor as chairman called meeting OF
. the Council OF Defense of the City of
Wilmington and selected myself as
Chairman Of the Health Commission OF
the said council, with Mr.. George w.
Sparks and Judge David I. Marvel and
Mrs. Preston Lea, Mrs. Charles X,
Miller and Miss Eckman OF the Ladies
Council of Defense for the express pur-
pose of investigating the Spanish in
iluenza situation of the City, and II nee
essarv. to procure emergency quarters,
should same be needed as precaution-
arv measure against an epidemic of
Snanisb influenza that at that time was
nrevalent throughout the eastern section
of the United States, and which was
spreading with immeasurable strides
through Massachusetts, Connecticut ana
Pennsylvania.
Immediately after the appointment OF
the various aforesaid members 10 the
Health Commission, IL was suggested by
Mr.. George w. Sparks that meeting
be held. which meeting was immed-
lately held. all members being present
and II was at this meeting agreed 70
investirate some buildings in the city
of Wilmington. II was decided that Mr.
George W. Sparks Immediately look
over the Hammond Laundry Building
and .Tudpe Marvel and myself investi-
cate the New Century Club which we
did. While investigating the buildings
IL was suggested that we look over the
Country Club at the same time, after
which the designated members were TO
report Friday, September 9th, at which
time the Health Committee would have
the Health Committee would have
meeting. Such meeting was held, Mayor
Lawson and DIR. EllegOod being present.
The reports from Judge Marvel, Mr..
George w. Sparks and myself were that
the Country Club, the New Centucy Club
the Turn Hall and the Hammond Laun-
drv buildings were cheerfully given over
10 the Health Committee, should the
Board of Health authorities of the City
of Wilmington feel il was necessary 20
have any or all of these buildings. At
this meeting, IL was reported TO us by
the Board of Health of this city that
at that time Spanish influenza had just
commenced taking hold of the public OF
Wilmington and approximately 7lO cases
had been reported but there was no
cause for alarm. While the Board of
Health were obtaining all data in this
city in the early period Of this epidemic,
our committee we're agreed unanimously
TO give any and all assistance needed
by the Board of Health, and at this
time, Mr.. John j. Raskob, Chairman
of the Health Commission of the state
Council of Defense was present and as.
sured our committee that funds would
be forthcoming if the Board OF Health
needed same, should there be no visible
funds of our own 10 draw from.
IL is necessary TO state at this point
that great impetus was given the Health
Committee by reason of the fact that MIR.
Pierre S. DUPONT was kind enough to turn
over TO the Health Committee some 25o
bed equipments which had ben stored at
the Delaware Hospital for one years
time previous 70 the commencement OF
the epidemic, and which permitted us 10
open up the Country Club Hospital three
hours after il became necessary TO es'
tablish emergency hospitals. Much praise
is due Mr.. DUPONT for his action mas !
much as II the committee were not IN
position TO obtain necessary equipments
as quickly as they did, much greater ]
serious results would have taken place
for the lack of proper equipments.
On Saturday and Sunday, September
2s and 20 respectively, the Board OF
Health kept in constant touch with the
influenza situation and began to lay
plans to have the Health Committee OF
the City Council of Defense TO be pre-
pared for meeting any acute situations
that might arise.
Notification was received from the
Board of Health authorities that from
Friday, September 27, to Monday, Sep
tember 81, 5 o'clock p. m, there were al
ready in our midst over 1000 cases of
Spanish influenza; and that afternoon
DR.. Ellegood of the Board Of Health,
called meeting, at which the Health
Committee of the City Council Of De-
fence were asked to be present.
1nasmuch as the Country Club had
been offered 20 us by the Board Of
Governors of the Country Club, Judge
Gray and Mr.. Henry p. Scott, it was
decided to accept this offer, Immediately
and turn same into an emergency hos
pital as. conditions had become very
acute.
Early Tuesday morning October /, DR.
Robert f. Ellegood, Mr.. II. w. Wells,
the health expert of the Council of De-
fense and myself went TO the Country
Club to make arrangements for the
Emergency Hospital necessities and by
noon of Tuesday, October ! there were 3s
patients brought to the Country Club
for attention. Developments on Tuesday
same along at an alarming rate, the num-
Der of influenza patients increasing very
rapidly so that il w.s decided to equip
the Country Club Emergency Hospital
to the fullest capacity.
On Wednesday afternoon, October 2, /
the Board of Health reported to our
committee that there were over 10000 |
cases of influenza in the city of Will |
mington and great many of these cases
were developing pneumonia. Before mid =
night OF this day, we had placed 100 J.
beds at the Country Club Emergency
Hospital, all fitted up and every one
Of these beds had a patient. BY Friday
evening the Country Club had las bed
equipments which were all occupied by
patients.
a., The number Of patients treated from
ne time OF the opening Of the Will
nington Country Club Emergency Hos
,.a' until the closing period has been
olo persons of which 1852 we're dis
shargea as cured, the balance number
sa3.;is az 10 persons resulting in death. The