The New York herald., 1922-01-26
FIGHT ON INFLUENZA
REDOUBLED BY CITY
New Cases Increase for Day,
but Public Is Asked Not to
Be Alarmed.
DRY WEATHER HELPFUL
25 Extra Health Inspectors
Sent Out to Watch ReStaur-
ants and Fountains.
DRY WEATHER HELPFUL

Every possible precaution is being
taken to prevent the present prevalence
of influenza and pneumonia from de-
veloping into an epidemic. said DR..
Royal S. Copeland. Health Commits
sioner, yesterday. There was a marked
increase in the two diseases for the day.
191 cases of influenza and 112 Of pneu-
monia being reported. as against 123 in
fluenza and 102 pneumonia on Tuesday.
One death occurred in The Bronx.
In issuing advice to the public for
protection. DR.. Copeland said there was
no cause for people to become alarmed,
as at present the number of cases can
not be considered as epidemic. At the
height of the FLU" epidemic of 1s1s-19
he recalled, in a single day there would
be reported as many as 5000 cases and
500 deaths. He added:
Such cold, clear and dry weather as
we are having now is an excellent in
surance against the spread of the dis
ease. IF people will take plenty of fresh
air, exercise, bathe frequently, eat SIM
ply. go to bed early and lead a generally
hygienic life they should have no cause
TO worry"
Schools to he Watched.
The Commissioner said schools and
theaters will not be closed, but will be
under daily observation of the Health
Department. Any child showing possible
symptoms of influenza will be taken inn
nedlateiy from the classroom and sent
home in charge of health officer. Diff
ferent closing hours for business offices
to prevent overcrowding on subways
VIII not be asked for unless the situation
grows worse.
The rules and regulations of the
sanitary code and all health ordin-
ances will be more strictly enforced.
twenty-five extra health inspectors were
sent out yesterday to enforce rigidly
cleanliness in restaurants and soda
fountains. Eating utensils, said DR..
Copeland, were found to be one of the
chief causes of the spread of the disease.
Dry sweeping and dry busting will be
stopped wherever inspectors find It.
Landlords have been warned that they
must pay particular attention to the
heating of apartment houses. Appli-
cation has been made by the Commits
sioner to have fifty men assigned to
enforce these regulations.
Housing conditions were blamed by
DR.. Copeland for many of the CAGES of
'flu." In this respect. he said. con-
ditions are worse than in 1918, when
the worst epidemic occurred adding:
with the present state of over
crowding, the advent of epidemic
disease might get such start in the
congested areas as to sweep the town
and kill million persons"
Immigrants to BE Examined.
DR. Copeland said he recently re-
ceived cablegram from the Ministry
of Health of Great Britain, which said
that the epidemic there and in France
and Italy was acute. and was increas-
ing daily. As precaution against i'm
migrants bringing cases to this coun-
try he has requested quarantine author
tiles to make careful medical examin-
ations.
In his appeal for the cooperation of
the public in fighting the malady DR..
Copeland counsels against splitting,
coughing or sneezing without protecting
the mouth and nose: against eating
meals without washing the hands !;
against the use of public towels and
drinking cups. and especially against
becoming chilled. He urges all persons
who feel i'll In any way to send immedi-
ately for a physician.