The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-02-10


INFLUENZA AND QUARANTINE.
Though the influenza swept over
the whole country little more than
a year ago, and took as toll many
lives, and it has again appeared, the
doctors and the scientists and every
one else is puzzled and does not know
just what is best to be done to check
the spread and stamp out the dread
disease. The physicians and eminent
men are widely different in opinion
as to quarantine, and just what the
quarantine should cover. We heard
man say the other day he would like
to see congress pass an act to close
all places of business and everything
for a period of two or three weeks,
and do so as soon as the people
were given notice to lay in suffi-
cient supply of rations to last for the
period of the quarantine, and that no
one be permitted to leave his prem
ises during the time, excepting ply
sicians and nurses we suppose.
We notice that the medical society
in Columbia held a meeting the other
day, not to criticize the board Of
health, but the situation being rather
serious it was thought the medical
fraternity would be in position to ad
wise and take counsel as to what was
best to be done. There was such
divergence of opinion among the
doctors that the meeting adjourned
without taking any action at all. On
a vote it was the opinion that the
schools should not be closed, one ply
sician taking the position that the
children were better off at school than
at home. On another vote it was the
opinion that the churches should not
be closed. No vote was taken as to the
closing of the picture shows. And the
meeting adjourned without making
any recommendations
1t seems that the attack comes sud-
denly and without any premonition,
and no one seems to know whence
comes the germ or what the germ is,
if it be germ that is floating
around. Fortunately so far while
there seems to be number of cases
all over the country there have not
been as many pneumonia cases fol-
lowing and the attacks have not been
so serious this time as year ago.
At the time of the meeting of the
doctors in Columbia the health Off
Ger stated that 237 cases had been re-
ported at that time. \ gentleman
who came from Columbia on Sunday
afternoon said there were more than
400 cases in the city.
Certainly our quarantine seems
to be of little avail. Maybe we
started TOO late. Some one remarked
that we should close the non-essen-
tials such as the picture shows and the
pool rooms and the schools and the
~rf-,~"ho~ Somehow we do rot feel
that these are any more non-essen-
IlalS tnun some other places, when We
consider the health of the community.
In fact. We think picture show or
church or school is just rs essential
as a store OF a bank Or any other IN
stitution. Bat if the closing viii help
10 prevent the spread Of the disease
then we say close any place that
would help to check the spread by be-
ING closed. But so long as people
travel in the stufy trains and crowd
in other places, if crowding helps
to spread, the closing OF these other
places is not going to do very much
good. But every good citizen is will
ing and anxious to cooperate in any
measure what will be beneficial in the
present crisis.
DR.. Copeland health commissioner
of the city of New York says:
Zone who has a constant and un-
comfortable inclination to cough or
sneeze should not remain in a crowd
ed public place. Unless the face is
covered with the handkerchief,
coro9oiro ~ sneezino is dangerous to
every neighbor reached by the spray.
-, ell .elsons will be benefited by
the diversion Of the theatre; sick per
sons should be at homc-for their
own good and for the public good.
."r'a~,, : . c.--~~+ r~~'o" = 'o','cT-
mg resistance. CO ahont yc''r 80