Omaha daily bee., 1920-02-01
HEALTH HEAD IS
OPTIMISTIC ON
FLU" SITUATION
Confident That Coming Week
Will Show Marked Diminu-
ton in Number of Cases
In Omaha.

Yesterdays local reports on the
influenza situation encouraged Dr.
J. F. Edwards, health commissioner.
to believe that the coming week will
show a marked diminution of the
number of new cases,
Only 2S cases were reported yes
terday. with probably few more to
be added on account of belated re-
ports. This was half of the daily
average for the week.
The total for the week will be
slightly more than 400, as compared
to l0l for the previous week. There
have been 500 cases reported since
the first case, January IA.
The health commissioner believes
that his reports this week will show
: something more definite in the local
situation. He is watching the death
list closely.
Nine deaths from influenza were
reported last week and two the week
before.
The health department. nurses are
busy visiting homes of patients,
leaving instructions and giving ad-
vice. The health commissioner re-
peated his recommendations, that
Omahans should exercise care in
maintaining their general health and
heed the first symptoms of indispo-
sition.
The Visiting Nurse association of
Omaha reported that it attended Is
influenza cases Friday and all
nurses are unusually busy.
Nebraska Cases for Week 1876.
Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 31.-Influenza
cases in Nebraska reported the past
week totaled 1876, the state health
department announced today. OF
these 496 were reported from Oma-
ha.
y ,Recurs in Cycles.
Washington, Jan. 31.-Recur-
renee of influenza epidemics lin
cycles of 80 to 66 weeks apart are
discussed in a statement issued by
the bureau of census, based on a
study made by John R. Brownlee.
an English physician, who advanced
the cycle theory.
Decline at Chicago.
Chicago, Jan. 31.-Deaths from
influenza and pneumonia since the
disease became an epidemic, January
Is, totaled 1908, it was reported by
the health department. During the
same period 26,S88 cases were re-
ported.
Although there was a sharp de-
cline in the number of new cases
today, the death toll was the heavi-
est since the contagion appeared.
Influenza caused 122 deaths and
pneumonia IS, while new cases Of
the former numbered 800 and of the
latter 352.
81 Deaths at Sacramento.
Sacramento, Jan. 2l.-Twenty-one
deaths from influenza were report
ed together with Is from pneumonia.
San Francisco reported 227
new cases and nine deaths; Los
Angeles, llo cases. Four deaths in
Oakland.
Spreading IN Kansas.
Topeka, Jan. 3l.-New influenza
cases in Kansas jumped from 1,44l
Friday to 1906 Saturday, an in
crease of 364 cases, according to
reports received by the state board
of health. Pneumonia cases re-
ported totaled 36. Seven deaths
were reported, two being in Kan
sas City, Kan. The total number
of influenza cases for the week was
reported by the board as 6,572. The
disease is prevalent in practically
all parts Of the state. ~.
Increase In Boston.
Boston, Jan. 3l.-Influenza cases
reported in the state during Janu-
ary, numbered 5070, according to
health department bulletin. There
have been $50 pneumonia cases. The
greatest increase has been during
the week ending today, when the
influenza figures jumped from 49O
cases on January "a to 4,46o and
pneumonia from 200 to 314.
..635 and the man went down tond
1000 Cases in Toronto.
Toronto, Jan. 31.-There are 1000
cases of influenza in Toronto, ac-
cofding to DR.. c. J. Havings of the
health department. More than 200
were repored during the last "a
hours. Ninety-five since last night.