New Britain herald., 1918-10-07

With a total of 1,516 cases of Spanish inflenza officially reported to the health department up to noon today, including 1S7 new cases re- ported since Saturady night, that de- departm ent, at d special meeting thlS noon, voted to adopt heroic meas ures in an attempt to stem the on- rush Of the epidemic. All schools hiavo been ordered closed for one week; all theatres and motion picture houses have been ordered closed until further notice and the same order ap- plies to all dance halls. All saloons and soda fountains are ordered to thoroughly wash every glass in boiling water after each usage, under pain Of being ordered closed; short church services are advised and large pub lie funerals are discouraged. The health department has also voted to give it's uperintendent, Dr. Henry F. Moore full power to deal with any emergency as he sees fit In addl- ticn to these facts Mayor Quigley has turned over his private residence as a hospital auxiliary and the state board of health has engaged special doctor who will reyote his entire time to attending to hospital patients, thus, relieving the city's physicians of this work and give them more time to attend to their own practice.
 Board Favors Closing Theaters.
 Although the health board. after
 a lengthy and at times somewhat
 spirited session, agreed that it was
 better to order the theaters closed,
 this action cannot be taken as an act
 of the board as no quorum was pres
 ent Those who did attend however, went on record as favoring this ac- tion and while Superintendent Moore will have to order these measures on his own initiative as uperintendent, he will have the entire backing of the health board.
 In addition to the action outlined above, the health board voted to have the police department and the sani- tary inspectors assist in enforcing not only the anti-spitting law, but also the present emergency measure compelling saloons and soda foun- tains to wash all glasses in boiling water. The sanitary inspectors have given up all their work to attend to the enforcement of these regulations. The board has also approved the mayors action in ordering trolley car crews to take only such passengers as
 can be accommodated by seats the
 board further suggests that people
 living near to their place of business
 walk and thus permit those who live i further away to ride on the cars. People having shopping to do at the stores are urged to do it early in the
 day, and to try and complete it be- fore D. m.
 When the board met at first there
 was some question among the mem
 bers as to just what plan should be followed. When the policy of the state board of health in not advising the closing of schools and theaters was explained the members seemed to be of the opinion that the city should follow this policy. Later, how ever, when Mayor Quigley arrived and | expressed his positive views in refer ence to the same, the board recon sidered it's previous action and went on record as being in favor of imme- diate closing. The board also went on record as endorsing Dr. Moores i advice on closing the schools.
 Dr. Grace Critically III.
 The doctors about the city arc gradually breaking down under the terrific strain of the past few weeks and today several were reported on l the sick list, while others were visibly wearied. pr. George Bodley, pr. J, ] H. Potts, Dr. M. l.. Marsh, Dr. Frank 1 Zwick and Dr. Edward l.. Grace are l all confined to their homes This 1 afternoon it was reported at each of | their homes that their conditions were 1 favorable, except at the home of Dr. l Grace where it was stated that his
 condition Is very critical.
 l Quigley Gives Up His Home. 1 Mayor Quigley yesterday called up 1 the state department of health with 1 view to ascertaining the condition l of the epidemic In this city, with 1 especial reference to hospital &C., | commodations Upon being informe d | that conditions are serious, that the
 wards are overcrowded and there was | grave danger that the state armOry | the basement of some of the churches ! or other public buildings might have
 to be taken over for emergency hos 1 pttals, he instantly announced that he 1 would at once yacate his own homa 1 at the corner of Maple and Whit
 ting streets and turn it over to the 1 local hospital authorities.
 Dr. T. Eben ReelIs, a mem Der o1 the state board of health and chair
 man of the executive committee of ] the New Britain General hospital, at l once gratefully accepted the mayors l generous offer and as soon as Mayor ! Quiglcy and his family have moved l out to some other quarters his home ' Will he fitted m as an enlerrency hos