East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-09-04
'EP|DEM|C RECURRENCE
SURE TO Be LIGHTER

NEW YORK, sept. A Minor
epidmemic of influenza Is practically
inevitable throughout America this
fall, according to DR.. Royal S. Cope
land, Commissioner of Health for
New York.
Influenza epidemics have always
swept countries in pairs. according to
Commissioner Copeland. The last one
i'm America prior to last winter was
in 1891. which was the minor appen-
dage to the major edipemic OF lsso.
DR.. Copeland looks for the epidemic
this year to be much lighter than that
of 1918. though minor epidemics are
often as bad as the major phase
This was true in 1891, he says But
the fact that so many people were af-
fected last year gives added immunity
this year.
Speaking to the United Press, DR..
Copeland said: Il have no doubt but
that We will have another epideFic
this year though infinitely less vio-
lent than last years when practically
every person was affected.
Seventy per cent of last years vic
tins were between the ages of fifteen
and forty-five, probably due to the
fact that so many men We're in train
! ing camps.
Attacks Age Groups
MY only fear is that it will attack
another age group this year. Ap-
rarentIy the germs develop an appe-
tite fer a certain kind of food and
choose people of n certain age, though
there is no known explanation 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 become in
fected. 1t is not like smallpox. which
you could get in a minute. 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, taking exer
else, and using common sense with
regard to food, are the best preventa-
tives.
"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.
Keep Clean and Cool
Apparently the germs of influenza
are conveyed by the hands more easily
than other ways. Everyone should
have clean hands. People should
make 1t a rule to wash the hands and
face several times a day with soap
and water
Commissioner Copeland says there
is 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 de-
monstrated to the satisfaction of
scientists SAYS Doctor Copeland, I'VE
are old fashioned here. We do not
believe in closing schools or churches.
We did everything unconventional
here in 1918 and had the lowest death
rate of ALL"
To prove that masks are. dangerous
! instead of healthful, Commissioners
! 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 gett-
ing good air, and cause him to re-
breathe bad breath"
"Above all, let's not get excited,
says Commissioner Copelanu who adj
vises everyone to do his utmost to
keep his equanimity, piety, and oc-
cupation."