Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-08-14
GUARDING AGAINST INFLUENZA

Burlingtons experience with influenza
that of some other communities, yet our
people suffered sufficiently to realize the
need of preventive measures to guard
against similar experiences in the future.
indeed we are all so thoroughly Impress
ed with the desirability of the greatest
possible precautions against another
epidemic that we are ready to favor
paternal government at Washington in
that particular connection.
In order to prevent a recurrence Of the
epidemic of influenza which caused $780,
900 deaths in the United States,
Representative Simeon D. Tess Of Ohio,
has urged upon the House an appropria-
ton of s1,50o,Coo to the public health SER
vice for an investigation of the causes of
the disease and the methods of its pre-
venton
In his resolution, which has the en-
dorsement of the American Medical as
ISOLATION, DIR. Tess narrates that a large
proportion Of the great number Of deaths
were produced by pneumonia and other
complications, that influenza, pneumonia
and allied diseases now cause approx
mately one-tenth of all deaths in this
country, that medical science is not yet
| in possession Of complete data as to the
cause, modes Of transmission, prevention
and cure of influenza, and that therefore
the possession of this knowledge is Of
grave social and economic concern to
the nation
1t is therefore urged that to enable the
public health service to discover the
causes and prevent the spread Of the
disease, and for allotment Of sums to
universities, colleges and other research
institutions. as in the Judgment of the
secretary Of the treasury are qualified for
research work that a million and half
| be appropriated by Congress. 1t Is also
urged that the medical departments of
the army and navy join in the search for
methods of prevention.
There is no doubt" said Dr. Fess,
but that this malady will again come
upon us. If the experiences of the series
of malades that have overrun our coun-
try be duplicated. as fear they will be,
we may expect terrific results in the next
year or two from the influenza. They tell
me there is no anti-toxin that has yet
been discovered to combat It, Dr.
Pfeffer thought he he'd discovered that
it was due to what was called the in.
iuenza bacillus. That theory has been
abandoned by the medical world which,
to-day Is much concerned about what II
has to meet in the near future. I think
it would be wise and rational for Con.
gress to spend enough money to set ir
motion machinery, under the highest
medical talent in America, to hunt out
under research the origin Of this diff
fculty, together with the application Of
some remedy that nay be discovered
This is especially necessary in view o.
the fact that life insurance statistic.
show that during the five years following
the last grippe epidemic the death rat,
was 40 per cent. above normal"
All these and other considerations will
appeal to the people OF Vermont as wei
as those of other States. When we con
slider the fact that this epidemic wipe,
out vast army equal to about one
fourth of the total number Of men W
sent to Europe to fight Germany, an
try to picture how we would have fel
over the announcement that one quartz
of them would never return, we begin t
realize the actual necessity Of adoptn
, all possible precautions against a recur
renee of the influenza in virulent form.