The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1919-03-21
Mt. Vernon, March 10.


Editor of The Hammer:
The Banner has asked for state
ment from the board Of health regard
ing the epidtmic OF influenza and the
action taken by the board of health in
closing schools and other places.
Although this is matter OF common
knowledge, the editor seems very anx-
ious TO have statement. Any infor-
nation the health officer has had could
have been obtained at any time, but
no request was made Mt any time until
Saturday.
Also the Banner could have attend
ed the open meeting of the board and
obtained all information necessary to
convince anyone that we have SER
ious epidemic of influenza--a danger
ous and probably the most highly con
tagious or communicable disease
known.
In regard to the. executive meeting
held by the board of health, | believe
the mayor has right to call such
meetings at any time he deems necess-
airy.
Physicians of Mt. Vernon have treat
ed at least 500 cases of influenza in
this city and immediate vicinity in the
period of March to 10.
1t Is not q mild disease Many pa
tients have temperature of 1O3 to 1O5
degrees and probably per cent. of
them develop bronchial pneumonia.
Physicians and nurses have been over
worked. In many cases all members OF
the family have been i'll, with no one
to nurse or help them.
Physicians, nurses and the citizens
of Mt. Vernon have all known that a
serious epidemic exists.
The Catholic schools were closed: in
Difference to medical advice" Good re-
suits followed as the number of cases
rapidly diminished.
'1n Difference TO medical opinion"
the board Of health closed all places
where public, meetings were held This
was done after a careful consideration
and the results have been good.
Physicians reports show that there
has been decrease of at least 80 per
cent in the number of cases.
It is impossible to entirely eradicate
the disease.
When the Banner reporter made his
thorough investigation and found that
no epidemic existed" he failed to inter-
view the health officer or number of
physicians, each of whom were visit
ing 40 or more patients daily. He did
not interview Rev. Mulhane who had
closed his schools on account of influ-
enza, nor the physician who advised
the closing.
The State Board of Health informed
us that closing places of public meet
ings had been the only effective meas
ure in limiting the number of cases.
The disease may and probably will re-
occur when schools and chrches are
again opened, but we hope the num-
Der Of cases will be much smaller
The members of our board of health
serve without pay, and have endeavor
ed to do that which will be best for
the people of the community.
Closing the churches, along with
the schools and other places, the
board believes they have q legal right
TO do so. The state board has inform
ed us that the laws of Ohio made
possible such action.
Rev. Mulhane, believes, and is no
board of health has no legal right to
close the churches.
A difference of opinion which can on
ly be settled by court.
believe that the matter should be
settled now by due process OF law aud
il remain health officer propose
to have 1t settled.
The board of health then knows how
to proceed in the future.
II boards of health have no authority
to close churches when dangerous
communicable disease is prevalent,
they should be so instructed.
The closing of public places has been
more effective than we had hoped for
and l believe the majority of citizens
are with the board of health
Criticism has come mainly from
those who were not willing to sacri-
flee their personal interest for the
good of all. The action of the board
or its officers has not been changed
in the least by criticism or advice
from self-constituted experts.
H. w DLAIR