The Evening Missourian., 1919-09-03
WATER AND GOOD AIR
TO AVERT Influenza
Doctor Recommends Proper
Living Conditions as the
Best Precaution.
EXPECTS EPIDEMIC
But Disease This Year Will
Be Less Severe, He
Believes.
EXPECTS EPIDEMIC

BY United Press.
NEW YORK, Sept. 3.-A minor epi-
demic of influenza is practically in
eyitable throughout America this fall,
according to DR.. Royal S. Copeland,
commissioner of health for New York
City.
Influenza epidemics have always
swept countries in pairs, according to
Commissioner Copeland. The last one
in America prior to last winter was
in 1891, which was the minor appen-
dages to the major epidemic of 1890.
DIR. 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 of 1891, he says. But
the fact that so many people were af
fected last year gives added immunity
this year
DR.. Copeland said: Il have no doubt
but that we will have another epidem-
ic 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 were in training
camps.
My only fear is that it will attack
another age group this year. Appar-
entity, the germs develop an appetite
for a certain kind of food and choose
people of certain age though there
is no known explanation for the at
traction to certain ages"
Asked what could be done to pre-
pare, DR.. Copeland prescribed soap
and water and fresh air."
Influenza is essentially house dis
ease" he said, Apparently it needs
long continual contact to become in
fected. 1t is not like smallpox, which
you could get in 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 ex-
ercise, 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.
Apparently the germs of influenza
are conveyed by the hands more easily
than other ways. Everyone should
have clean hands. People should make
il rule to wash the hands and facs
several times day with soap and wa,
ter.r
Commissioner Copeland says there
is no cause for excitement since the
board of health is watching symptoms
of influenza the world over, and is CO
operating with other boards of health
throughout America. 1t is also work
ing on vaccines
Masks are no good, it has beer
demonstrated to the satisfaction o
oSiCiitioio, boStOi SOpSidhu
I'VE are old fashioned here. We d.
not believe in closing schools o.
churches. We did everything uncon
ventional here in 1918 and had tn,
lowest death rate of all"
To prove that masks are dangerous
instead Of healthful, Commissione
Copeland cites the case of San Fran
cisco, which had high death rate, h
thinks because "the masks are filthy
prevent the patient from getting goo
air. and cause him to re-breathe ba
BREATH
above all, lets not get excited,
says Commissioner Copeland, wh
advises everyone to do his utmost t
keep his equanimity, piety, and occu
patton