The New York herald., 1920-01-23
1000 FLU CASES
REP0RTEDIND DAY
Health Board Prepared to Deal
with Them, Says DR..
Copeland.
ASKS SPECIAL $4,000 FUND
Druggists Requested to
Have Whiskey on Hand for
Possible Epidemic.

Steadily increasing reports of influenza
cases caused the Board OF Health yester-
day TO adopt a resolution requesting the
Board of Estimate to appropriate, under
a provision OF the city charter. $50 900 as
an emergency fund for the employment
OF additional physicians. nurses and sup
plies in the event the spread of the disease
becomes epidemic.
Dr. Royal S. Copeland president Of the
the Board OF Estimate today to submit
the application, and that he had no doubt
that the money would be appropriated.
More than one thousand cases of in
fluenza were reported to the Health De-
partment today" said DR.. Copeland, but
there is nothing alarming in that. Re-
ports of deaths from the disease reveal
that there were fewer this year than in
1917. normal year. The Board Of Health
does not make the request for the appro-
priation because we arc in the midst OF
an epidemic but in order TO prevent the
spread Of the disease. II the increase
continues then II will be necessary to ex-
lcHu OuI SNclii Va PlNNNAhiSht NHiNA -
by no means inadequate.
I'VE are much interested in the preva-
lence of influenza in Chicago. Although
that city has a population one-third the
size of New York, il the disease were to
spread at the ratio ii is in Chicago we
would have at least 800 cases a day.
Although Chicago is a good distance from
New York the Board OF Health feels it is
necessary to make provision against the
possibility Of influenza cases reaching that
mark.
Disease Less viruIent.
"The number of cases reported today is
double that of yesterday. but reports from
ply sicians reveal that the disease is less
virulent than last year. Pneumonia, | am
glad to say, continues 10 be of n much
milder form. and secondary cases OF pneu-
mona which are related to influenza
show a marked decrease.
Although many nurses have offered
their services in the event of an epidemic.
I think 7 should let Il be known that
nurses are scarcer than hens teeth.
Where did they 70? Did they marry, or
did they retire from tho profession after
the denIoblization of the army?
I'VE have one great advantage in this
CITY this wear over Ia II year OWING 10
the rehabilitation Of the army. I VEN
ture TO say we have available In public
and private hospitals in tho city 1880
beds. Then we can avail ourselves Of
the use of many army hospitals. Take
the Pelham Bay Naval Training station,
for instance The hospital there has ac-
conmodation for 5000 patients and is
available on an instants demand
Plenty OF ambulances and private auto
mobiles are available for the use of the
Health Department. There are lo am
balances in the Health Department. The
women's Motor Corps already has offered
its thirty ambulances and many private
automobiles
Bailey T. Burritt. general director OF
the New York Association for Improving
the Condition Of the Poor, has offered
the services Of the nurses of the associa-
ton.
Wants whiskey Dispensed.
DR.. Copeland had a conference with ]. J.
Ouiglev. assistant superintendent of the
Prohibition Enforcement Bureau. regard
ing the status Of physicians and druggists
in regard TO the sale Of whskey for use
in influenza cases.
Mr.. Quigley explained the system by
which licenses are granted to physicians
and druggists to prescribe and dispense
yhiskey. DR. Copeland appealed TO high
grade druggists 20 meet the requirements
OF the government and have whiskey in
stock to be dispensed on prescription
written by physicians.
"Nv reason for making the appeal is not
founded on any personal opinion as 10 the