Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-10-16
CREST NOT.
YET REACHED, SAYS
STATE DIRECTOR
CASES IN STATE NUMBER 55,725
OF WHICH 37782 ARE DOWN
sTATE-DEATHS NUMBER 2,264.
Especial to Free Trader-J Journal. J


Chicago, Oct. 1.-THE results of a
statewide survey by telegraph of
every Illinois community of l,00O pop,
ulation or over, given out here today
by DR.. c. st. Clair Drake. director
Of the state department of public
health, show that 227 cities and
towns in Illinois have been hit by the
epidemic of Spanish influenza. The
number OF cases reported in these
227 communities is 55,725, of which
1898 are in Chicago and 1882 down
state. There have been 1884 deaths
from influenza and pneumonia in Chi
cago and 49l in the down state com
munties which have reported.
Convinced that the epidemic had
reached proportions which required
prompt and vigorous measures, the
state department of health has or
dered that all theatres, including
moving picture shows, all night
schools, all lodges and all places of
public amusement be closed until the
epidemic subsidies. All public schools
which are lacking in adequate medical
and nursing supervision were in
cluded in the order.
From the information we now
have said DR. Drake, we believe
that every community in Illinois will
be affected by influenza before the
epidemic subsidies On the basis of
the reports which reached us today
we estimate that there are now more
than 10000 cases in the state ou.-
side of Chicago
An analysis of the influenza situa-
tion in Chicago today shows chat the
epidemic has not reached its crest
here. For the week ending Sept. 2S
there were 59S cases reported in Chi.
cago, with l76 deaths. During the
week ending Oct there were CLOS
cases reported. with 627 deaths. The
week which ended Oct. IA produced
1893 cases and 1,461 deaths. The
total number Of deaths from influenza
and pneumonia in Chicago during the
past three weeks was 2,264 compared d
with an average of i56 for the same
period during the past five ~ears.
Although the situation is bad -
many down state communities, ii viii
get worse before it gets better, ac.
cording to members of the state in.
tluenza commission. which meets
daily.
| The town of Assumption in Chris
tian County, with population OF
1918, has reported 500 cases and has
/ called for help. There are only foul
doctors and one registered nurse in
! the town
! Greenup. with a population of 1,224
reported 400 cases. Two doctors live
in Greenup and both are i'll with in
fluenza. Peoria reports 10000 case!
and Rockford 5000. In Peoria twt
emergency hospitals have beer
equipped and in Rockford medica
help has been loaned from Cam
Grant, where the epidemic is rapid,
being brought under control.
More than 1000 cases have been re
ported in kankakee; Cairo report
800. Marengo, with a population 0
1872, reported 496 cases and ha
asked for the help Of outside doctor
, and nurses. Nokomis, which has
: population of 1873, has reported owe
; 600 cases, with no hospital faciiitie
| available. Bloomington reports 20
cases, with eleven deaths.
, The state health department urge
; extreme care in order to prevent S
far as possible the needless furthe
| spread Of the contagion. All person
are warned 20 keep away frol
t crowds, to avoid the person VII
sneezes, coughs and spits withol
covering the face with a cloth, an
to consult physicon immediatel
upon the first symptoms of what ma
seem to- be an ordinary cold