The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-21
5 CASES FLU HERE
First Reappearance of Disease
Found in Topeka.
Citizens Warned To Be Careful
and Not to Worry.
STATE SENDS OUT BULLETIN
Looks Like Another Epidemic,
DIR. S. j. Crumbine Reports.
City Board of Health Gives Out
Precautions to Public.
STATE SENDS OUT BULLETIN


De the start of an epidemic here-were
reported in Topeka today. according
10 DIR. Earle G. Brown, city health
officer. Two other suspected cases
also were reported
The five cases are all in one family.
They are mild form of flu, accord
ing to the attending physician.
Doctor Brown issued a warning to
the people, urging them to take all
possible precaution against contract
ing the disease and spreading the
germs.
He also urged the people not TO
worry, however. saying that Topeka
might escape an influenza epidemic
and that it was the opinion of medical
authorities that the disease was not
OF such severe nature as it. was
before.
Don't worry yourself sick" was his
admonition.
His statement may be found in an
other column of this issue of The
State journal.
Establish Rigid Quarantine.
A rigid quarantine of all flu cases
will be instituted by the public health
department, Robert D. McGiffert,
health commissioner. declared today
while it may work a temporary
hardship on the members of families
where flu is present" he said, ''it is
the only means of preventing spread
of the disease. 1t will be easier to
suffer quarantine now than more
drastic restrictions later. such as the
prohibition of all public gatherings
that had to be resorted to during the
last epidemic
No specific steps have been taken
by the city for an organized fight
against the epidemic, if it comes, but
the city hall is waking up to the dan
gers and does not want to be caught
mapping, as was the case during the
other epidemic. Mayor Herbert j.
Corwne said the city would find some
way to meet such an emergency. The
city probably would have to call on
the general fund to fight the disease,
as the emergency fund is getting low.
1t is expected that the cooperation of
the various welfare organizations,
such as the Red Cross, would be So
licited. They bore a great share of
the burden during the 191S-19 epi-
demio.
Crumbinc Secs Epidemic.
kansas Is in for another epidemic
of influenza, DIR. S. J. Crumbine, sec
retary of the state board of health,
predicted today.
Il do not see how we can escape
an epidemic of influenza" the health
chief stated when he was asked if
he thought that the disease which is
raging in Chicago and the Great Lakes
region will spread to this state. 'I
have been informed that a slight epi-
: deI1lC mas broken out AdnSdS ClIys
but as yet flu has not been officially
reported to our department in epi-
demic form. Isolated cases have been
reported every week since the cpl
demic in 1913"
An epidemic was reported in Shaw
nee county today by DR.. A. L. Golight-
ly of Auburn. There were 40 cases in
that vicinity last night and one or two
new patients were reported this morn
ing. Some of these cases are severe,
m a r.
road to recovery. No pneumonia has
been noticed in connection with the
outbreak. A land excursion to Texas
o. is blamed by Doctor Golightly for i'm
porting the flu germ to Shawnee.
Dances and meetings helped to spread
the disease. but Doctor Golightly be-
Heves the present cases are well quar-
antined and that there is no serious
spread. The present epidemic ex-
tends for a radius of seven miles north
and southwest of Auburn.
Emporia Jan. 21-Fifty cases of
Influenza have been reported at Olpe.
eight miles southeast of Emporia. All
the cases are mild and the epidemic is
not expected to spread. Olpe has a
population of about 500.
Letter to Health Officers.
Following is a copy of a letter sent
to health officers of the state by Doc
tor Crumbine:
According TO press reports. influenza in
epidemic form Is again ravaging Spain,
Japan and Poland and has suddenly ap-
peared at the Great. Lakes naval training
station, rapidly spreading to Chicago,
where 1t is now claiming large number
OF victims daily. 1t seems probable that
the country cannot hope to escape another
epidemic OF this highly communicable dis
ease with its attendant mortality from
pneumonia or other complications.
The extent of its ravages may, in de-
gree, depend on our diligence in enforcing
mt In
spread. l desire, therefore, to again in
sions for influenza and the necessity OF
securing from your physicians immediate
practice. Outbreaks epidemic in character
should be reported to this office by wire
You are requested to enforce at once and
without fail the state boards regulation
requiring the actual sterilization of all eat
ing and drinking utensils used to serve
food or drinks TO the public. There Is
abundant evidence to warrant the belief
that one of the methods Of transmission OF
this disease is that of hand to mouth
infection. Therefore, we must lenve moth.
ing undone that win contribute to "a sew.
ering Of that line Of communication"
In the absence of definite knowledge
OF the cause of influenza, the use of vac.
cines to prevent the disease cannot be re-
lied on. but it would seem to be the part
of wisdom to make an effort to secure
immunity against the most fatal compli
cation of inflnenza-pneumonia- The use
Of mixed vnccines designed for that pur,
pose, put out by reputable biological
houses under government inspection
should therefore be encouraged
1t is suggested that a survey or inven.
srtory be made of all available resources n
You county and in cities of the first ant
second class. which should include tbs
number OF nurses available for influenzf
nursing: hospitals or buildings that NIGH
he readily converted into emergency hos
pitfalls. hospital supplies; motor Transports
tion; canteen supplies. etc. A detailed
memorandum of such inventory should b,
mailed to this department at the earliest
possible date.
This is matter of urgent importance
May expect your whole hearted co
operation in this program of preparedness
S. J. CRUMBINE. NJ. D.