The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-28
THE FLU CLOSING.

Topeka again is placed under an in
that suffered for month recently
must once more pay the price of the
health order.
1t all brings to mind the question
of the advantage of tightening the
reins on a city during an epidemic of
this kind.
The epidemic that swept over the
United States in September and Octo-
Der was fought in many different
ways by health authorities with vari-
Gus results. In some cities the the
aters. schools, churches and public
halls were allowed to remain open.
In other cities they were closed tight.
The epidemic seemed to go on just
about the same until it appeared to
wear out and then gradually disap-
pear.
The most notable case was the &C.
ton taken in New York City. the me-
tropolis of the United States and the
most thickly populated city in the
country. Here the closing order was
not applied and the city health au-
thorities maintained strict supervision,
the schools paid stringent attention
to all indications of illness among the
pupils and the epidemic was controlled
as successfully, if not more so, than
in Chicago. Philadelphia and various
cities where the ban was in effect In
cities along the Mississippi, for in
stance, where one town was closed
and another open, there were exam
pies of a greater death rate in the
closed cities.
In Kansas, DR.. S. ]. Crumbine, sec
rotary of the state board of health, is
vigorously in favor Of the quarantine
Our recent epidemic indicated that
about 4 per cent of the population
contracted the disease" he says. This
can be compared with IS per cent
showing in other localities where the
ban was not enforced. 1t is a crowd
disease and must be considered so. In
state institutions in Kansas where the
quarantine always has been in force
there have been no evidence of the dis
ease whatever. Altho the ban did not
entirely wipe out the influenza it re-
now as it reappears it is in a greatly
modified form. 1t is the rapid spread
Of influenza that results fatally to a
higher degree"
The recent epidemic thruout the
United States caused more deaths to
civilians than German bullets to SOL
diers in the American armies. It has
been the most serious outbreak in
years. And it has nearly baff1ed med
icine and health experts.
1t is still a mighty problem-both
to the health authorities and to the
business man who has suffered in
trade. Health comes first, of course.
But business has a right to be given
consideration, especially when it is
evident that there Is a difference of
opinion among health boards over the
country as to the merit of a quaran-
tine.
In Topeka the city health board has
been at a loss the last few days as to
what action to take. The current jump
in the number of cases was a sur Use
| and a shock. 1t seemed that the peo-
pie. after all, were to blame, due to
their carelessness in taking self pro-
lection.
On the face of the epidemic as It
looks today it appears that too much
censure should not be placed on the
theaters and business houses. If a
person is suffering with influenza he
| owes it to himself and to the COM
munity not to appear in public. He is
no more dangerous in a theater than
| in a street car or in his office. In
| other words. the city health authori-
| ties should be more strict in their con-
troll Of persons afflicted with the dis
ease and in the drastic quarantine OF
families where the disease is rampant
| Let the closing order apply to homes
where influenza is placarded. Why
close a theater or a business house or
church and allow the home of the
afflicted to remain open to the fam
| lily and visitors?
| If we are to maintain a closing or
| der let us be consistent!