The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-01-14
Recurrence of
Flu Uncertain

There is absolutely no way of
definitely foretelling whether this
winter will witness any recurrence of
influenza in epidemic FORM" said
Surgeon General H. C.. Cummings, of
he United States Public Health
SERVICE. GAS result, however, of
yery careful analyses of the epidemi-
,logy of influenza, especially as the
result of intensive studies in homes
where influenza occurred in 1918 and
1919; it may be stated that an at
tack of influenza appears to confer
l definite immunity to subsequent at
.acks; an immunity lasting for sew
eral years. Inasmuch as the cpl
demic of 1918 and 1919 affected so
very large proportion of the popu-
alton, there would seem to be rea-
sonable grounds for believing that
even should 'flu" become prevalent
here and there, it would not assume
the epidemic proportions of the past
Two years, nor would it rage in such
severe form.
at is unfortunate that the public
becomes so intensely interested in
spectacular epidemic outbreaks of
disease and is so little moved by the
daily occurrence of many prevent
able deaths in all parts of the coun-
try. Of the one and one-quarter
million deaths occurring in the
United States annually, at least
900 could easily be prevented by
the application of available medical
knowledge. For example one of the
diseases which becomes prevalent
about this time of the year is diph-
iberia. This disease is responsible
for about $4,000 deaths in the
United States annually. Practically
every one of these deaths could be
prevented, for not only have We an
effective anti-toxin for treating the
disease when it occurs, but what is
still more important, we are now
able by means of simple skin test
to determine which children are sus-
ceptible to diphtheria, and, this as
certained we can effectively i'm
munize them so as to protect them
against this disease.
"The 10000 or more deaths from
typhoid fever that occur annually in
the United States could also be
largely prevented if communities
everywhere would make certain that
IuelT WdIeT anu Illlh supplies were
protected, and if simple precautions
were taken in homes where typhoid
fever occurs. 1t is encouraging to
know that smallpox has been so we'll
controlled that at present the aver
age deaths from it in the United
States number only 400 annually
Nevertheless, these 400 deaths are
entirely unnecessary, for vaccina-
ton has long shown itself an effec-
tice means of control"
In almost every community in the
country the wastage in infant lives
is still enormous, especially when
contrasted with that in New Zea-
land, for example, where the death
rate is only so per 1000 births in
the first year of life as against 100
in the United States.
Commenting on this, Surgeon Gen
eral Cumming said: "The expense
of life saving through the proven
ton and control of disease by we'll
directed health measures is very
small indeed when contrasted with
the saving effected. l would strong
ly urge the people of this country
to recognize the fact that expendi-
lures in this direction constitute the
most profitable form of investment.
Effective measures of health conser-
walton constitute most urgent need
of this reconstruction period"