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

yirulence of the present epidemic
state. DR.. Akin said the type of the
disease this year was not nearly so
violent as that of previous epidemics
and that there was no immediate
cause for alarm. The following Is
his statement:
While influenza has been reported
from widely separated communities
in South Carolina for the last month
or six weeks, not until January 20,
1920, did reports indicate its occu-
renee in epidemic proportions.
January so, 1920, the state health
officer sent telegram to the sherltts
of all counties requesting general
survey for the purpose of determln-
ing the prevalence of the disease IN
each county. Within 49 hours re-
plies had been received from 80
counties. The consensus of opinions
expressed indicated the reappearance
of epidemic influenza in nearly every
part of the state, but certain slgnlfl-
cant features made it plainly appar-
ent that South Carolina was not
threatened with such an overwhelmn-
ing disaster as was represented by
the epidemic of 1918 and early
1919.
In comparison with the previous
epidemic these features are outstand-
ing:
Epidemic Came Later.
I) Influenza in epidemic form
made it's appearance nearly tour
months later than in 191S-1919.
~ The virulence of the virus
causing the present manifestation OF
the disease is apparently less than
before as is evidenced BY slowness OF
spread, lessened tendency to the
production Of pneumonia, the gener-
ally less severe type of pneumonia
and the lower death rate.
To date, there have been report
ed roughly 5000 cases Of influenza,
200 cases Of pneumonia and 40
deaths. # these figures be correct
the disease is spreading more @lowly
than last year, only 4 per cent. Of
cases develop pneumonia, and OF the
pneumonia cases only 20 per cent.
die. Regardless of the type of pneu-
monia, a 20 per cent. mortality IS eX-
tremely low.
Influenza is sharply epidemic in
certain sections of the state. A
large number of cases have been re-
ported from Charleston, Rock Hill,
Spartanburg and Greenville. Ger
tain communities, and, in the in
stance of Greenville county, one
county have voluntarily imposed re-
strictions against public gatherings
of all sorts.
Unless the general situation be-
comes worse the state health officer
will not impose a blanket quarantine
over the entire state as was resorted
to last year. Each city and county
after carefully surveying the lnfiuen-
"a situation may recommend such
quarantine measures as seem neces-
sary to control tn elocal epidemic,
and these may be assured that the
state board of health will assist in the
enforcement of such measures as are
undertaken.
No Cause for Alarm.
We frankly believe that there IS
no immediate cause for concern as
regards the state as whole. Ut
course, certain communities, both ur-
ban and rural, are experiencing dis
tinct epidemics. Certain people, i'll
with influenza, do develop pneumonia
and, as may be expected, certain OF
these die. Whenever a case OF IN
auenza, case of pneumonia or a
death occurs in ones own family ere
is induced to hold a very gloomy VlcW
of the general situation. Certain OF
you gentlemen are feeling the per-
sonal nearness of the present cpl
den,ic because members Of this body
have developed influenza, while the
disease has made its appearance IN
the families of others. This natural
ly brings the matter closely and
pointedly to your attention, but nev-
ertheless you can not conclude that
similar conditions exist in the ma
jority of families over the state.
Permit me to refer specifically te
the matter of the adjournment Of
this body in the light Of the present
epidemic. If you .yentlemen propose
to adjourn you will do so in order tt
accomplish one of two ends. Either
you will consider that Adjournment