The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-07-10
SMOKING CARS AND FLU

During the influenza epidemic OF
October. 1913, Health Commissioner
Robertson stopped smoking on the eie-
waited and street cars. o.. .hree OF the
four elevated lines smoking cars had
been run. On the street cars smoking
had been permitted on the front plat
form. Theoretically. at least, most street
car passengers entered through the rear
platform and left the cars through the
front platform.
a few weeks ago an ordinance was IN
troduced in the council restoring smok-
ing cars on the elevated and restoring
smoking privileges to the passengers on
the front platform of the surface lines.
In the hearings those who advocated
the ordinance admitted freely that dis
continuing smoking privileges had been
of service, in controlling the epi0smic,
had saved some lives and much sickness
Accepting this as an u~ndisputed fact. the
question arises, Is it safe to change the
policy now? We are not through with
the epidemic Of influenza. No epidemic
of Influenza in history-and they have
come about once a generation since the
birth of Christians lasted less han two
years
The epidemic of 1890 began in Chicago
in January. 1890. Having lasted through
that spring, it disappeared to recuT In
March, 1891. 1t was much worse III
March and April. 1891, tina it was in
January, 1890. 1t reappeared in the win
:eC and spring of 1892 and 1898. Condi-
tons did not become normal until 1894.
Charts showing conditions from 1888 to
1895 prove this beyond question. No man
can deny, nor win any man attempt to
deny. the truth of this statement.
The present epidemic began in France
about March, 1918. 1t had previously been
recognized in Spain and Italy. The spring
wave was very mild. In July there was
a second and a severe wave. In -Septem-
Der there was a third wave, which was
much more severe than its predecessors.
In March of this year a fourth wave ap-
peared. In many sections of this coun-
try there have already been three or more
waves, and others are anticipated next
winter.
Says ]. j.. Walsh, an accepted authority
on medical history: Influenza is now
TO be with us for several years. 1t will
gradually grow less virulent and become
less frequent. but the bacterial strain
which caused influenza will probably
maintain special viruIence for some five
Or 10 years, at least"
A study of the Chicago death rate for
1913 and 1919 shows that We are not from
under the influence of the disease even
now IN this period of intermittence The
death rate was high in the spring of
!9ls. but that in the first six months OF
l9ls mas been higher still. The number Of
deaths each month has been greater than
u das corresponding month in 1918, with
efepeSception of April.
IL we admit that the stopping of smoi,-
ing on the cars was good policy, We must
ADMIT that it would By unwise to permit
lt drrlns the coming winter, at least. A
study oil the death rate of Chicago for
the last 80 years shows hat conditions
nave Improved steadily. The general dcati.
rate is lower, as are those from typhoid
IeVef, scarlet fever, diphtheria. and in
tantiie dlarrheas. The death rates from
Ill bacterial diseases nave fallen cnor-
mously except from pneumonia, hronchi-
tbs. and Influenza. The death rate from
thlssssroup of diseases is hisher than ie
was SO years ago.
W.. have given our health departments
ordinances with which to control typhoid,
scarlet fever, diphtheria, smallpox, and
baDy sickness. and they nave returned
resuts Tor which we are grateful. What
are we going to do about
hroHchItts. and Influenza? If we want
THESE diseases controlled we must equip
our Health departments witt, the ,eces.
safy ordinances. We must give them
power over smoking In cars. the efficacy
OF which all admit, and other powers az
they convince us of the advantage of
theff.
f~tTe.nfnths as many persona died frorrp
these diseases IN October, 1918, in Chicago
as uted In tine entire United States army
~ france from all diseases in one year.
one-thlrd as many died from these dis
eases in a normal year as died in our
army from all diseases in one year. THE
pneumonia. bronchitis, and Influenza sfr,r-
alton, speaking in general terms rs abosrt
the same IN all parts Of the Unftsd .Jtates.