The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-06

I'VE have given our last warning
about holding unnecessary meetings
during the influenza epidemic. Moth
ing more will be said"
This was the brief and to-the-point
statement made by DIR. Earle G.. Brown.
city health officer, today. Doctor
Brown said that If unnecessary meet
ings were not called off voluntarily.
the health department would have to
put into effect a general closing order.
And, if we do clamp on the I'D in
Topeka, it will be clamped on tight"
was Browns warning. There will be
no leaks and no discrimination. Ne
general quarantine is contemplated
right now; in fact, it is the desire of
the health department not to have to
order on a flu ban at all. If the peo-
pie of the city want to escape the in
conveniences incident to a quarantine.
they must. cooperate by voluntarily
calling off meetings. SO far their CO.
operation has been splendid and the
/ board of health is very grateful to
them"
Brown emphasized the seriousness
of the epidemic. He characterized the
present situation as Just as serious as
the 1918 flu wave. The disease Is
| just as severe as in the last epidemic,
he asserted. and the situation will be
serious as long as there is one case in
| the city.
Whole Families III.
whole families are down with the
disease" declared the health officer,
| "and there is much distress and suf-
fering. There will be more tubercu-
! losis in the next few years as a result
of the influenza epidemic than ever
before"
Seventy-nine new cases of flu had
been reported in the city from 3:35
O'Clock Thursday afternoon, when a
report was made to the state. until
noon today. One Influenza pneumonia
and two pneumonia cases also were
reported. Eighty-two cases were re-
ported up until 3:35 Thursday. Nc
fatalities have been listed since We'd
nesday afternoon, however.
When asked if he thought the
schools would be forced to Close, Doc
tor Brown said that if they had to
close. a general closing order would
go into effect. He said he did not con-
slider schools as any worse breeding
places. of influepza than dance halls.
pool Halls, theaters, etc.
The shortage of nurses is daily be-
coming more serious. Many homes.
where every member of the family is
flu stricken, are unable even to get
/ help and the city emergency hospital
itself needs nurses badly, according to
Mrs. Chas B. Thomas. of the Public
Health Nursing association, who Is
nanOllnS the nursing corps curing tne
absence of Mrs. c. c. Bailey. p. Fl. N
supervisor. The Shawnee county
chapter of the Red Cross issued a sec
ond appeal today for nurses and men
and women to work in homes.
Many Meetings Cancelled.
Doctor Brown said meetings were be-
/ ing called off. some where only six
people were involved. The Sons and
Daughters of Justice. Council No. 4.
| informed the board of health that they
had cancelled their meetings and the
Machinists' union called off their
meeting tonight.
The doctors of the city literally ara
worked out" by emergency flu calls
! Coupled with the nurse shortage, this
makes for a serious situation
| One violation of the flu quarantine
| has been reported. A woman patient
broke a quarantine. 'Tf she had not
been a woman" said Doctor Brown.
'I would have sworn out a warrant
4 for her arrest"