Evening journal., 1919-10-30
IyrI1ryz, AND iOOoO.OOO WAGE FARMERS.

a NNTHlNG that relates TO the Spanish influenza epi-
"A demc which wrought such havoc in this country last
FAN and Winter is OF peculiar interest TO Deswsreans
who suffered so terribly from the Of the disease
Therefore that interest cannot fail to extend to
paper that was read in New Orleans today before the
Vital Statistics Section OF the American Public Health
Association, the paper having been written by Drs
rranke and Dublin, of the Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company, New York city.
They join in saying that the influenza epidemic Of
last fan and winter caused the highest mortality
he wage-workers OF the country and the least among
those Of higher economic strata
They estimated that throughout the world practically
per cent Of the total population. about 100000
people died result OF the epidemic The victims were,
for the most part persons in young adult life the fathers
and mothers Of the present generation.
No yet attempt to forecast what the effect Of
his calamity win be on the future population OF the
world in the number Of orphans the smaller number
children who win be born and in the reduction in the
number Of effective workers the farm in the factory
and in the Office
They said that the epidemic was more disastrous in
causing loss Of life than the great
In group Of thirty-one life insurance companies. be
tween October, 1915 the end OF March, 1919 more
than si20O0o0OO disbursed in claims paid due 10 in
uenza and pneumonia. These represent nearly IS per
cent. Of the total claims paid in this period.
The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company alone paid
than 10000 death claims for nearly S2s 100000 be-
OF influenza pneumonia deaths.
Including the disbursements Of the War Risk Insurance
Bureau, the estimated total loss to American life nsur-
resulting from The epidemic well above $780,
10000
According to the statistics quoted by the speakers this
epidemic seemed to be different in many essential re-
specis from other innuenzas on record
Most Of the deaths among persons between
the ages Of 10 and 40 years. With a maximum incidence
al about 30 secondly the white race in The United
states seemed to be affected much more severely iian
tle coorcd third the epidemic much more severe
in character in e coast cities Of the United staes
especially along The Atlantic seaboard became much
nrder in It's destructive effect among the inland cities
The epidemic responsible also for an increase Of
6 per cent in the death rate OF tuberculosis
of 300 per cent for diseases connected with child birth
and q per cent for heart diseases
The writers concluded that from the health statistics
available TO them, there did be any present
focus OF influenza in The United states and Canada nor
did they view with alarm the immediate prospect OF
the health situation.
There did not seem TO be any indications that the
epidemic would return TO The United States with the same
disastrous force Of the invasion of last fall
1t urged that persons who had been attacked by
Influenza pneumonia. during the first INVASION con
suit frequently with their family physicians in order
That any disorders Of the heart kidneys or lungs follow
uy influenza might be corrected in due time