The Bourbon news., 1918-10-29
INFLUENZA SITUATION HERE
NOT so REASSURING.

Bourbon county is becoming alarm
ing is more apparent each day, with
many new cases of the disease re-
ported by physicians. With the
whole-hearted cooperation of the
people and the City and County
Boards of Health it is hoped that the
disease may not reach the proper
tions Of an epidemic.
At a meeting of the Bourbon
County Chapter of the Red Cross. at
which the members of the Board or
Health were present, the situation
was discussed from every angle and
drastic means will be taken to COM
pei everyone to strictly adhere to the
rules laid down by the State and local
Boards of Health
1t has been proposed to use the Ma
sonic lodge rooms in this city, and
perhaps the Y. M. G. A building to
be taken over as emergency hospitals.
in case the Massie Memorial Hospital
should be unable to care for a larger
number of cases than its capacity.
An order was received by Mr.. Geo.
R. Davis, Saturday night to bring
his ambulance to the farm of Mr.. Ed
ward Simms, on the North Middle
"a. N
Thomas place, to bring ten people
who were afflicted with the disease to
the Massie Hospital. The ]. T. Hin
ton Co.'S ambulance has also been
busy on similar errands.
The Board of Health urgently re-
quests everyone to remain at home as
much as possible, and to refrain from
gathering in crowds on the streets or
their homes. With everyone using
the proper precautions to prevent the
further spread of the disease it is
thought it will soon be gotten under
control.
The Board of Health is making a
special request of the people of this
city and all others who may be in the
city, who happen to have a cold, not
to spit on the pavements or in pub
lie places in the city, as the germs
are liable to get in the air and infect
someone. This is one of the most
fruitful forms of spreading disease,
especially diseases of the character
of influenza. The Board is empower
ed to compel an observance of this
request as fine of $500 can be i'm
posed for each offense, under the pro-
visions of an ordinance passed by the
City Council. But they trust that a
sense Of decency and realization of
the obligations everyone owes to
someone else, will impel the people
to strictly observe the anti-spitting
order.
In a large number of cities in the
United States fine of $500 has been
imposed for failure to cover the
mouth and nose with a handkerchief
or other germ absorbing substance
when sneeZing or coughing. Now,
will not our people be careful and
show their appreciation of others
welfare and not scatter disease by a
little carelessness.
With regard to the necessity of
opening an emergency hospital, Miss
Boehme, Superintendent Of the Mas
sic Memorial Hospital, stated yester-
day:
eve have just completed arrange
ments for the care of twenty-five ad-
ditional patients suffering with the
influenza or pneumonia, and if an
emergency arises we can, by utilizing
other available space, take care of
fifty additional patients. Massie Hos
pital now has only five cases of the
influenza, all of which are doing
we'll"
The Louisville & Nashville officials
report a total of 167 cases of. the in
fuenza on this division Saturday,
with new cases devolping daily. The
Board of Health has issued positive
orders, which the police have been
instructed to see carried out to the
very letter, that no Halloween cele-
brations be allowed Persons will be
prohibited from appearing on the
streets in masks or other Halloween
costumes, and no gatherings Of over
eight persons will be permitted.
Conditions have arisen" said
Paris physician, where the most
drastic measures will have to be
evoked if the people do not come to a
full realization of the danger they
are facing In the minds of many
there exists doubt as to the serious
ness Of the situation, so they are
prone to get careless and Indifferent
as to the precautions urged by the
Board of Health"
At a meeting of the Bourbon
County Red Cross, presided over by
Mr. A. B. Hancock, definite plans and
arrangements were made in combat
ting the influenza here. Members OF
the Board of Health and Mr.. Chas.
G, Daugherty, City Health Oficer,
were present, and took part in the
proceedings. 1t was determined to
follow a plan of preparedness so that
in the event that it became neces-
sary rooms might be available to
take proper care of every poor
person in the city who may become
victims of the disease, and to keep
them isolated.
BARRIERS were notified that failure
to wear masks while serving their
customers would be sufficient cause
for their places Of business being
closed. At every home where there
is a case Of the influenza cards an
nouncing that fact must be posted up
in a conspicuous. place. Main street
viii be flushed every day when prac-
tieable, as part Of the sanitary plan