The New York herald., 1920-01-22
462 NEW INFLUENZA
CASES ARE REPORTED
Nothing Alarming in Figures,
Says DR.. Copeland, Who Calls
Disease of Milder Type.
ISSUES CALL FOR NURSES
Shortage May Cause the Commlss
ioner to Transfer Those Engaged
in Field Work.

Although there was a marked increase
Yesterday in the number of influenza cases
reported TO the Health Department. d..
Royal S. Copeland. Health Commissioners,
declared the figures did not indicate 4
return of the epidemic of last year. There
were 462 cases reported during the day,
as compared with 14o reported on Tuesday.
He said there also was an increase in the
number of pneumonia cases $50 being re-
ported. as against 129 for the day before
There is nothing alarming in the in
creased number of cases OF either disease,
he said "The figures merely bear out our
prediction there would be return Of the
disease this year All of the cases OF in
fluenza, fortunately, are OF a milder type
than those of last year, and are OF shorter
duration.
The influenza germ, 1t would appear
has worn out it's virulence and the dis
ease is less frequently followed by second
airy pneumonia. Indoor life is responsible
for the spread of the influenza germ this
wear People have not given their homes
sufficient ventilation since the beginning
hold in that way.
While we are not worried in the least
by the increase in the number OF cases
reported, at the same time we are ar
ranging TO handle the situation in the
event the number of cases increases" ex-
planned DIR. Copeland.
I'VE have installed at the headquarters
Of the Health Department a separate tele'
phone system, where a special staff OF
clerks will receive calls for nurses ano
home relief work. That will centralize the
Health Departments control OF the situa-
ton in the event the disease reaches any
thing like an epidemic form.
1--WE want the names and addresses OF
nurses and persons having practical eX-
perience in nursing, however, so as to
cope with the disease in the event oil an
epidemic. We feel that every person who
has had nursing experience should make
a personal sacrifice by giving up other
activities to aid us in the event we need
rim or her.
The shortage of nurses in the city is
amazing" said DR. Copeland. .In view OF
The low prevalence OF diseases of all kinds
snd the fact the army is demobilized the
number of available nurses is very small
To-day we telephoned to every hospital
and every nurses registry In the city III
GUEST or nurses, out IlOt nurse was 10 ps
had. We are we'll off at the present time
because we have 1000 beds in we'll organ
ized city hospitals and in a few private
institutions. We also have fiye hundred
nurses engaged In field work, attending
tuberculosis cases and the like. who can be
turned to influenza cases If the necessity
arises. ~
"Our preparations for possible infiu,
enza epidemic were greatly strengthened
today by the offer OF Miss Lillian Wpld
head of the Henry Street Settlement and
head of the Nurses Emergency Council
which aided so much last year In the fight
on influenza. Miss Waid called on me tc
inform me that a very efficient organiza'
ton of settlement workers stands ready tc
come to our aid in the event Influenza be-
comes epidemic again.
I'VE have been preparing for possible
return of the influenza epidemic since the
beginning of the winter. We found last
year that cold apartments had much to dc
with the spread of the disease. Thus far
we have compelled upward of 10000 land
lords in the city to give plenty of heat To
their tenants, as prescribed in the sanitary
code. Under the law the heat should be
no lower than 63 degrees from six o'clock
In the morning until ten O'Clock at night
"AIuch pressure has been brought to bear
on me by real estate organizations to let
ND on the landlords, but in answer to that
today addressed the fifty policemen as
signed to this department to renew their
work of making landlords properly heat
anartnents."