The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-09-03
KEEP COOL AND CLEAN
TO AVOID CONTRACTION
OF INFLUENZA PLAGUE
New York Commissioner ol
Health Diagnoses Cause
of Spanish "Flu"
(By United Press.)

New York, Sept. "a minor epi-
dennis of influenza is practically in
evitable throughout America this
fall, according to DR.. Royal s. Cope
land, Commissioner Of Health for
New York City.
Influenza epidemtcs have always
sMeptaacounEries in pairs, according
to Commissioner Copeland, The last
one in America prior to last winter
was in 1891. which was the minor
appendage to the major epidemic Of
1890. ;
DIR. Copeland looks for the cpl
demic this year to be much lighter
than that of 1918, though 'niror epi-
denies are often as bad as the major
phase. This was true Of 1891, he
says. But the fact that 50 many pe0-
pie were affected last year gives add
ed immunity this year.
Speaking of the United Press, Dr..
Copeland said: II have no doubt but
that we will have another epidemic
this year. though infinitely less vio-
lent than last years when practical
ly every person was affected.
''Set enty per cent Of last years
victims were between the ages of tif-
teen and forty-five, probably due to
the fact that so many men were in
training camps.
"My only fear is that 1T will at
tack another age group this year.
Apparently the germs develop an ap-
petite for certain kind of food and
choose people of certain age,
though there is no known explan9
tion for the attraction to certain
ages"
Asked what could be done to pre-
pare, DR.. Copeland prescribed soap
and water and fresh air."
Influenza is essentially a house
disease" he said, apparently it
needs long continual contact to be-
come infected. 1t is not like small
pox, which you could get in a min
ute. You have to live with influenza
to get it.
1T naturally follows that out-of-
door life, sleeping with windows
open regardless of the weather, TAX
ing exercise, and using common sense
with regard to food, are the best pre-
yentatives.
"Above all, avoid those who have
influenza. In families patients who
have Influenza or colds ought to be
kept by themselves They should not
associate with others.
Apparently the germs of influ-
enza are conveyed by the hands more
easily than other ways. Everyone
should have clean hands. People
should make it a rule to wash the
hands and face several times a day
with soap and water"
Commissioner Copeland says there
rs no cause for excitement since the
Board of Health is watching symp-
toms Of influenza the world over and
is cooperating with other boards Of
health throughout America. 1t is
also working on vaccines.
MASKS are no good, it has been
demonstrated to the satisfaction Of
scientists,,"'. says~1Doctnr Copeland,
ave are old fashioned here. We do
not believe:tne closing schools or
churches. We did everything uncon-
ventional here in 1918 and had the
lowest death rate of ALL"
To prove that masks are dangerous
instead Of healthfh4y Commissioner
Copeland cites the case of San Fran
cisco, which had a high death rate,
he thinks because "the masks are
filthy, prevent the patient from get
ting good air, and cause him to re-
breathe bad breath"
above all, let's not get excited"