New Britain herald., 1918-10-08

Nurses Wearing Muslin Masks AS
Protection Against Contagion-Medi-
cal Men Exhausted by Continual
Claim on Strength and by Dack of
SIeep-Third Death i'm Cherpal1
Family.
Owing to the serious spread of
Spanish influenza and pneumonia
epidemic is still on the increase and
the doctors of the city who are al
ready overworked and are having to
refuse additional cases, the state board
Of health has sent DR.. II. l.. Black
ledge to this city to take all emer-
gency cases when the services of
another physician cannot be obtained.
Early afternoon reports at the health
department showed that the influenza
epidemis is still on the increase and
1872 new cases quarantined since yes
terday bring the grand total up to
1.765.
Every doctor in the city is rushed
with calls and in many instances they
are embarrassed in caring for their
own patients. Yesterday several of the
doctors we're simply compelled to re-
fuse to take any additional patients
because they could not find time or
physical strength to care for them.
Realizing these conditions, Dr. T. L.
Reeks of the state board of health
had DR.. Blackledge assigned to, this
city. DR.. Blackledge will have his
headquarters in the office of the
board of health and will be subject
to call in any case where the family
seeking the services of a doctor is
unable to secure it. No call should
be made for DR.. Blackledge how
ever, unless all other means of Secur-
ing medical attention have failed, for
it is not the intention of the health de-
partment to cut in on the practice of
any of the local physicians. But IN
all cases where local docors are un-
able to attend to the cases, DR.. Black
ledge will be subject to call. He may
be secured by calling the health de-
partment, telephone number 1906,
and his services will be given free of
charge to the patient. He will also be
provided with an automobile that he
may better answer the numerous calls
that will surely come.
Hospital Badly Overcrowded.
Conditions at the New Britain Gen
aral hospital continue to be serious
and today there are a total of 4 pneu-
monia patients, as we'll as large
number of cases of influenza. DR..
Bawley has already assumed his work
there and the nurses in attendance
are wearing muslin medical masks to
protect themselves against contagion.
There have also been three deaths at
the hospital during the past few hours.
At the various factories every possible
means is being taken to prevent a
further spread of the disease. Several
days ago representatives of all the
concerns were given practical illus
trations in fumigation and disinfec-
lions are being made in every depart
ment.
Doctors Feeling Strain.
The sad death of DR.. Edward s.
Grace has cast a gloom over the en-
tire medical profession in this city
The other doctors who were reported
Ill yesterday are all improved today
and their recovery is expected in each
Instance. Last night DR.. Henry T.
Bray, who has had practically no sleep
for several days, collapsed as a result
Of overwork and fatigue. Today
however, he was again on the jump
In many instances the doctors of the
citv have been absolutely compelled to
sacrifice all their office hours in order
to attend to their patients who are
sick at home, and all calls that are
absolutely urgent are being asked to
wait.
AS the epidemic gains in strength
In this city the concern of the public
also increases, but this has been partly
eIleviated by the prompt action OF
the school board in closing the schools
kad the health department in order
big all theaters, motion picture houses
f.Ance halls, etc. closed. The public
not absolutely urgent are being asked
10 wait
ec,ontinued on Eleventh PagsS