Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-19

Spanish influenza. which developed re-
Gently among sailors and marines in the
Navy Yard. has spread to
the civilian population of the downtown
section, according to Director Doctor
Krusen, of the Department of Health.
One sailor is dead Of influenza, pre-
sumably of the Spanish form.
Doctor Krusen said there was no oc-
casion for alarm over the spread of
the disease downtown. The cases were
not numerous and very few were severe
enough to require hospital service.
The Municipal Hospital has been
made ready to receive Spanish influenza
sufferers.
Dies in Naval Hospital
The victim was a sailor stationed at
the Philadelphia Navy Yard. He died
early today at the United States Naval
Hospital. according to announcement by
Chief Surgeon Pickerell.
The disease continued to spread
among the sailors today, Doctor Pick
erell said, and more sufferers were be-
irg treated at the hospital. He said
nearly 400 sailors and marines were
being treated at the Naval Hospital
and at the League Island Hospital.
Doctor Pickerell said 1t had not been
whether the sailor, whose
death occurred was a victim of Spanish
influenza. Death was due to influenza,
he said. but whether or not 1t was the
Spanish disease was not known.
He said every effort is being made
TO check the spread of the disease by
tont Nf xrrho hn ,Jr Az
fallen victims.
Many additional cases were reported
today from the navy yard. Doctor Pick
erell said he had no authority to speak
Of conditions at the navy yard. It is
understood. however, that several hun
dred sailors and marines are in the hos
pital there. although information rela-
tive to the spread of the disease was
withheld by authorities at the navy yard
hospital.
An appeal for the observance of ordi-
nary rules of sanitation to prevent the
spread Of Spanish influenza in Phila-
delphia was made today by the Phila-
delphia tuberculosis committee.
This was done at the suggestion of
Surgeon General Gorgas who has asked
the committees cooperation in check
ing all diseases that in any way infiu-
ence the production of war material
According to General Gorgas the de-
StIuCllNeItfS VI TIE lilIlutIZd StTH IN
France and England was for time a
limiting factor In the output Of NUM-
tion plants
In calling on Philadelphians to aid in
an epidemic that will In any way re-
tard the country's war program, r. N.
Whaley. secretary Of the committee,
said:
"A recurrence at this time Of such
an epidemic as the scourge of grippe
that swept American twenty years ago
would be a tragedy"
1t is estimated there are now more
than 1000 cases of the disease In the
city. PHYSICIANS today were kept busy
answering calls to homes where It was
feared some member of the family was
stricken. and In this way many gases
are being discovered before the Victims
have a chance to circulate and spread
the disease.
Shipyards Take Precautions
Fears that the epidemic of Spanish in.
fiuenza. which is sweeping the Atlantic
seaboard. may cripple the shipyards led
Colonel Philip S. Doane, head of the
health and sanitation section of the
fleet corporation, today to determined
efforts to check the scourage
TT is quite possible that the epidemic
was started by Huns sent ashore by
boche submarine commanders" said
Colonel Doane today. We know that
men have been ashore from German sub.
marines. 1t would be easy for one OF
these Germans agents to turn loose
Spanish influenza germs in a theatre oil
some other place where large numbers
of persons are assembled
las yet the scourage has not obtained
n grip on the eastern shipyards, and II
is the mission of the health and santa.
tion section to see that 1t does not
League Island Navy Yard, the Charles
town Navy Yard at Boston and the nava
training camp on the Great Lakes have
been placed under rigid quaratine. Tc
have the scourge gain a grip in the ship.
yards would likely prove disastrous t.
the shipbuilding program, and we have
sent warnings to all shipyard officials