The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-11-18
INFLUENZA WAS
WORSE THAN WAR
Epidemic Toll for 46 Large
Cities Set at $4,000
by Bureau
DEATHS IN CAMPS
EQUAL KILLED IN WAR
Total Loss of Life Throughout the
Country Unknown But From City
Statistics Total Death List of 4o,7s2
+ is Reported in Two Weeks.

WASHINGTON, Nov lS.-Deaths
from influenza in the United States
greatly exceeded the deaths among
American troops abroad, according to-
an estimate prepared by the bureau of
the census. 1t is also estimated that
the deaths from influenza and pneu-
| monia in camps and environments in
| this country nearly approached the men
killed in actual battle among the cas-
ualties of the expeditionary forces.
| The bulletin issued by the bureau of
census on the ravages shows that the
| highest mortality per thousand was in
Philadelphia, with Baltimore next.
THE influenza epidemic has thus far
| taken much heavier toll of American
lives than has the great war, says the
bureau THE total loss of life through
out the country is not known, but the
bureau of census has been publishing
for i6 large cities, having a combined
population estimated at 23,000,000,
weekly reports showing the mortality
from influenza and pneumonia. These
reports. which cover the period from
Sept. $ to Nov. 9, inclusive, show a
total of S2,306 deaths from these
causes. 1t is estimated that during a
similar period of time the number of
deaths in the same cities would be
about 1900, leaving approximately 49,
600 as the number properly chargeable
to the epidemic
The total casualties in the Ameri-
can expeditionary forces have recently
been unofficially estimated at 100000.
On the basis of the number thus far
reported, 1t may be assumed that the
deaths from all causes, including dis
ease and accidents, are probably less
than - per cent, and may not be more
Ian 40 per cent. of the total casual
ties.
"On this assumption, the loss of life
IA the American expeditionarv forces to
date is about 10000 or $4,000
THUS in t6 American cities having
"a coml ined population of only a little
more than one fifth the total for the
country the mortality resulting from
the influenza epidemic during the nine
weeks period ended Nov. 9, was nearly
double that in the American expedi-
tionary forces from the time the con
tingent landed in France until the ccs-
sation of hostilities.
| For the 46 cities taken as a group,
the epidemic reached its height during
the two weeks ended Oct. 26. for which
period 40,7S2 deaths were reported
l9,96S for the week ended Oct. 10. and
e0,S44 for the following week. Since
Oct. 20, however, the decline has been
pronounced During tie week ended
Nov. ., H. S57 deaths occurred. and dur.
ing the following week only 7,S9s The
only city in which the number of
deaths reported for the week ended
Nov. 9, exceeded the number occurring
during the previous week, was Spokane.
Wash
In general, the epidemic travcrscd
the country from east to west In a
number of eastern cities-notably Bos-
ton, where the great mortality occurred
| during the week ended Oct. ;. the
largest number OF deaths were reported
for earlier periods than that which
covered the height of the epidemic for
the AZ cities taken as group.
On the other hand, in New Haven,
New York, Pittsburgh and Rochester
the maximum mortality occurred some
what later than in eastern cities gen
orally In Baltimore, Buffalo and Phil
adelphia the two-weeks' period ended
Oct. 20, showed the greatest number of
deaths. For the entire nine weeks :
period the greatest mortality due to
the epidemic in proportion to popula-
tion-7.4 per 1000 occurred in Phila-
delphia; and the next greatest-67 be-
s,O00-was reported for Baltimore
The AVERAGE oirl oets I. GOOD ,nap,