New-York tribune., 1918-10-02

President.
An effective serum for the preven-
rion of Spanish influenza has been dis
covered by the city's scientists, work
ing under the supervision of DR.. Will
lam H. Parke, and preparations are
under way for it's manufacture in guam
titles. 1t will be distributed to physi-
clans as fast as it can be maze. This
statement and sudden increase in the
number of new cases and death rate
in New York featured the report of
Health Commissioner r. S. Copeland
last night.
The anti-toxin developed in the city
laboratories is a product entirely in
dependent of that announced as dis
covery within the last few days by the
Public Health Service at Washington
Dr. Copeland yesterday sent telegram
to Surgeon General Blue, of the War
Department, requesting details regard
ing the Washington serum and its use
Not Designated as Cure
The New York anti-infuenza serum
it is emphasized, is purely a preventive
u
ment after the disease has developed
No details have yet been given out as
to the constituency of the vaccine or
it's methods of application, except that
it is introduced as other preventative
anti-toxins-by incubation.
A total of S36 new cases of infIu-
enza in twenty-four hours has not yet
alarmed the health authorities. 1t is
supposed that many of the cases re-
ported yesterday should have been in.
cluded in the Sunday report. The fact
often led physicians to delay in max
ing statements, and Tuesdays figures
have come to be recognized as con-
taing cases that rightly belonged in
earlier charts. The total cases of pneu-
monia fo the twenty-four hours
reached 1870, while the deaths from in
fuenza and both lobar and bronchial
pneumonia totaled 1872. Forty y-seven OF
these were credited to influenza alone
Still for Open Schools
81 am still of the opinion" said
Commissioner Copeland, "that the
schools should be kept open. The
children are freer from danger OF in
lection in the school room than in the
streets. l have been informed by the
management of the subways, elevated
INES anu SuIldCc Cd1 iiHco tuaS tHCS
are doing everything possible to CO
operate with US and unusually stric'
sanitary measures are in effect.
81 feel that the increase in the num-
Der of cases shown by the days re-
port is no cause for panic or hysteria
The figure is still small when COM
pared to the city's population, and we
must expect gradual growth of the
disease. This gradual growth, coupled
with the fact that the majority of the
patients who take care of themselves
are fully recovered in three days
gives US ample opportunity to give
treatment to all those afflicted
"Our quarantine stations at the rail
road terminals are proving an effective
means of nipping the spread of the in
fuenza here"
Many Nurses Volunteer
The appeal for more nurses has met
with gratifying responses. The Asso
citation for the Improvement of the
Condition of the Poor has volunteered
to look after many private cases ir
homes, and the Y. w. C. A. Training
School for Nurses Aids has offered tt
assist in the city hospitals where there
is a shortage Of both orderlies ant
nurses.
Recent autopsies are disclosing the
fatal cases of secondary lobar pneu
monia here are induced by Spanish in
fluenza. DR.. Parke reports that the
pure influenza bacilli have been foune
in the lungs of those who have died o.
the lobar type of pneumonia within tht
last few days.
While the health authorities are
making every effort to show a smiling
face and a calm exterior while dis
cussing the reassuring angles Of the
situation in New York, there is an un
dercurrent of apprehension.
Prospects '~>s Encouraging
The sudden jump in the number o.
new cases and deaths, while explained
away to a large extent by the officia
view, does not serve to illumine the
prospect for the immediate future.
1t is very evident that the figures fol
the next few days will indicate def.
nitely whether or not the disease i,
actually under control in New York o,
whether the city faces a disastrous
ton and other Eastern cites have beer
suffering for weeks.
Several interesting points in connec.
tion with the epidemic are shown by
figures compiled in the offices of the
Department of Health. The deaths
from influenza and secondary pneu
monia during the last week show {
heavy mortality preponderance among
males, 81 men to 8 women. In Tho
grippe epidemic Of 191b-1S the deatl
toll was largely taken among females
Men Is to As Hit Hardest
The heaviest mortality Is also fount
among persons between fifteen and for
ty-five years of age, in spite Of tn,
fact that between these ages some 200,
600 men have been removed from tn,
city by the war. In influenza tn
fifteen-to-forty- y-fice rule is found I,
hold good in 0 per cent Of the DEATH
and In pneumonia the average is 81
per cent.
The appearance Of the disease 6,
early in The season is without preee
dent. Grippe epidemics have nsve
appeared here earlier than Decembe
and frequently not until March.
Commissioner Copeland has issued ,