Evening star., 1919-09-19
TAKEN
TOAvO|D EPIDEMIC
Presence of 21 Cases of In
fIuenza Stirs Health Officer
to Ask Co. Operation.

With six more cases of influenza in
the District reported to the health
department this morning. making
total Of twenty-one cases recorded
since the first of the month. the health
department today launched the pre-
liminary offensive of a carefully de-
signed campaign to prevent spread OF
the disease.
The first move under Health officer
Fowler's direction was made against
lunchrooms and soft drink establish
ments. The second was a request
sent to every physician in the city
that immediate report be made, of all
Influenza cases. :
In addition. DIR. Fowler considered
plans for establishing an influenza
hospital, emergency stations and the
other facilities for fighting the mall
lady. should it develop to the point
where such measures would be re-
Quired.
These activities went forward today
as precautionary measures only. and
with the positive belief held by the
health officer and his staff that infiu-
enza will not appear here to consid-
cradle extent. Conditions, as yet, are
not alarming. they say. and may not
become so. Public alarm over the sit
uation, they hope. may be avoided
But the department is not to be
caught mapping. 1t means to be pre-
pared for any eventuality.
Enforce Sanitary Conditions,
Lunchroom proprietorsSwho do not
observe strictly the regulations for
sterilization of glasses and other uten-
sils used in serving food will have to
answer for the neglect in Police Court,
health department officials said.
Some persons engaged in the buSi-
ness of dispensing food and drink, ac-
cording to DR.. Fowler, appear to have
the impression that sterilization is ef-
fected by merely rinsing in warm
water. 1t must be boiling water after
this. he warns; dry heat of the re-
quired temperature-or an explana-
tion to the judge.
All inspectors of the health depart
ment were given instructions today to
give their principal attention during
the next few days to lunchrooms and
soda water fountains. DR.. Fowler be-
oped to high degree in such estab-
lishments, influenza germs will find
the going rough.
Cooperation of Physicians.
Cooperation of all physicians with
the health department in its fight on
influenza again will be sought. DR..
Fowler today sent the following let
ter to more than 500 members OF the
medical fraternity in Washington:
your attention is invited to the in
closed copy of the regulations for the
prevention of epidemic influenza in
the District of Columbia. It is quite
probable that there will be a recur-
renee of the disease in this District
during the coming fall and winter.
but as to what extent it will prevail |
no one can predict with any degree |
Of certainty.
'Tt is the desire of the health de-
partment, should the disease make its |
temperance in Washington, to do
all it can to prevent its spread. In !
this connection it is very necessary
that the department know to what |
extent the disease prevails. have. |
therefore, to request that physicians |
report promptly to the department all |
cases of epidemic influenza coming |
under their care, SO that the depart |
ment may be in possession Of in
formation that is very essential in
any efforts it may make to. combat
the disease.
II shall appreciate very much your
hearty cooperation in this matter"