New-York tribune., 1920-01-20
Caution by Public
Is Urged in Fight
Against Influenza
Health Officials Say There
Is Little to Indicate That
Epidemic Will Visit CITY;
Less Than 500 Cases Now

Officials of the Department CT
Health do not interpret the recent in
crease IN influenza cases mere as in
dicative of return of the disease in
epidemic form.
cat this time in this city, said Dr.
Royal S. Copeland, Health Coms-
of an influenza epidemic. We always
have had influenza and pneumonia
cases and deaths at this season Of the
year
Dr.. Louis |. Harris, the director OF
the Bureau of Prcventablc Diseases,
also emphasized the seasonal character r
OF the recent increase. in influenza
cases, and pointed out the historic
precedent for a heightened prevalence
in any disease for q few years after an
epidemic. After the influenza epidemic
OF the '90s for a year or two there was
disease rate that was more than
normal.
"There is no cause for ALARM said
DR.. Harris, nor are there any indica-
tions that influenza will return in cpl
demic form. The present sharp in
crease warrants our peinE on the alert,
however, and calls for measures Of
caution and prevention on the part Of
the public. We cannot interrupt the
cCOHOIHiC NE Ol LNe COUllNunlLE III or
der to do away with crowds But it
should be remembered that the crowd
is not dangerous in itself. 1t is dam
gerous only in so far as it contains 4
great many individuals who are sneez-
ing and coughing without covering
their noses or mouths"
II is acknowledged by the Depart
ment Of Health that there has been no
signal achievement in the solution Of
the influenza problem since the cpl
demic in 1918. There is as yet no vac
cine nor serum which has been found
effective, in the sense that diphtheria
antitoXin is effective
The detection Of the disease by its
first symptoms of fatigue and fever,
sneezing. chiliness. aching joints and
limbs. is of the utmost Importance, ac-
cordlng TO the Health Department: by
going to bed imme ediateiy and sending
for u physician at this early stage Of
.hc disease. said Dr.. Harris. the patient
usually avoids the complication, nearly
always fatal. of pneumonia.
Those who refuse to tight the disease
at its first appearance because OF a
fear of wasting two or three days in
bed are penny wise and pound fool
ish'
The Importance OF personal cleani-
ness is emphasized again by the De-
partmcnt of Health. Frequent washing
Of the hands and face, especially b.
fore meals, according to Dr.. Harris. is
one of the cheapest and best forms OF
liic insurance. The use of antiseptic
mouth washes, the care Of the body. the
avoidance Of mlngling in crowds. all
serve as measures of prccaution.
he alert attitude which the Depart
lment of Health has toward the disease
is that which every citizen should
adoot. BY carrying out the simple pre-
cautions recommended by the Health
Department and keeping his individual
health up 70 par the individual will do
much to prevent the increase Of in
HuenZa cases.
The influenza cases in New York
are now under the 800 mark according
20 iis"res issued last night by Dr.
Copeland. This is less than the mum
Der reported for the same period in
1911, the year before the epidemic
The comparison was based upon a
seven-day period.