The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-09-14
1852 DIED FROM
I INFLUENZA IN THIS
STATE IN EPIDEMIC
FULLY ONE-THIRD OF DEATHS RE-
PORTED IN 1918 WERE FROM
FLU" AND PNEUMONIA

Oklahoma City, Sept. 13.-Fully one
third of the deaths reported for 1918
to the state health department were
caused by influenza and the various
forms of pneumonia with which it allied
itself to bring to Oklahoma the worst
epidemic in her history. In 1918 in
Oklahoma there were 1851 deaths from
all causes and 6,62S of these were caused
by Influenza and pneumonia. For the
15'month period during which influenza
took its terrible toll of Oklahoma lives,
S,5S2 deaths were reported attributable
TO influenza and its allies. In proper.
ton of racial population negroes es
capped the high ratio of FLU" deaths
as only 264 of that race were victims
as compared with 1T Indians and all
the remainder whites
According to statistics of the United
States health service, each death is an
estimated economic loss of Sc 900 to the
community in which it occurred. In ia.
tai cases of influenza the epidemic is
estimated TO have cost nearly $3.50 900.
600 and in addition it was figured that
NJ ~ times as many people suffered from
making a total of III $40 per
Vbns afflicted. Based on these figures
the economic loss to the state, directly
due to the influenza epidemic is esti.
mated at nearly 500, 900 900.
Influenza took the flower of our
n manhood and womanhood," said DR.. A.
r. Lewis, state health commissioner.
There were more deaths of persons
whose ages ranged from 20 to 80 than
any others. Eleven hundred and fifty
persons between those ages succumbed
to the dread disease. Nine hundred and
eleven whose ages ranged from 30 to
40 died, 400 between the ages of 10 and
10, and 407 children whose ages ranged
from l to years.
The same condition maintained when
fatalities from broncho-pneumonia and
lobar pneumonia are considered. The
figures are instructive and should serve
as warning to parents who must keep
their children in the best possible living
conditions. Men and women between
the ages 20 and 40 must guard them
selves carefully if the influenza is again
prevalent this fall"
Following are figures showing the
\ toll of the three allied diseases by
months:
Influenza: January. 2G; February II;
March, 16; April, 10; May, 10; June, .;
July, none; August l; September, 8;
October. 1854; November. 1927: De.
cember, 1,O4S.
ho-Pneumonia: January, 1S;
February, 81; March, AZ; April, 3S; May
15; June and July, each; August, >;
September |; October 80; November, 90;
December, A.
Lobar Pneumonia: January and Feb
ruary. 173 each; March, 215; April, 236:
May, 120; June "a; July, II; August 10;
ISeptember, 81; October, 632; November
30; December, $3.50.
y Influenza: January S74; February
2G9; March, 1913.
onchopneumona: January, 81;
February, 80; March, 80.
Lobar Pneumonia: January, 317;
February. 1871; March, 1873.
Because of the poor system on vital
SldllSlitS III lOltt III ChlduOlId ulllll lllt
last year or two these figures are only
about 80 per cent perfect and must be
doubled to secure an approximate OF
the actual number of deaths.
1T is my earnest desire said Com
missioner Lewis that physicians and
vital statistics registrars throughout the
state will see to it that we get a report
on every death in their districts during
this fall winter and spring These fig
urges will be of tremendous importance
in guaging the progress which we are
making against disease and particularly
against influenza"