The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-12-12
DRASTIC ACTION PROMISED \
BY CITY HEALTH BOARD IF I
FLU Peril GROWS SERIOUS
Meeting to Be Held to Con-
slider Epidemic.
Soon.
HIGH PNEUMONIA TOLL
Health Authorities Refuse
to Admit Condition Here
Is Critical. a
(state influenza story, Page 2O.)

Estate inHUenza story, Page 20.)
With eyes focused on a ris-
ing pneumonia death rate, the
indianapolis health board
planned a special meeting
within the next day or two to
discuss the situation.
The board, and DR.. Herman G.
Morgan, city sanitarian, do not be-
lieve that the wave of respiratory
Infection throughout the city is q
recurrence Of the influenza epi-
demic of war times, despite United
States public health service state
mentS that the middle west is in the
grip OF true influenza, but are keep
ing close check.
No such measures as the closing
OF public schools, factories or the
aterS has been discussed or consid-
cred, but the board would not hesi-
tate to use its powers if the situa-
tlon calls for drastic action, DR.. F. E,
Jackson, president, said.
Since Nov. 25, forty-four Indian
apolis residents have died from
pneumonia. The health authorities
are careful to point out that none
OF these deaths are listed as due
TO influenza, Old-fashioned Ia
grippe, bronchitis, laryngitis and
kindred ills may have been the orig.
lnal trouble from which pneunnonia.
developed.
III Deaths in 3 Days
Eleven of the pneumonia deaths
occurred from Sunday morning to
Tuesday noon.
Charles F. Miller, superintendent
OF schools, said the public school
situation was slightly improved.
Some Of the teachers who had been
III have returned to classroomS.
Approximately 100 were off duty
Monday and eighty-five Tuesday.
NO figures on the number of pupils
absent were available since daily re-
ports are not made to school head
quarters.
Miller said the infected areas are
spotted, there being some schools
practically free and some with num-
oers OF children cut in only certain
rooms.
Substitute Teachers Scarce
School executives were hard
pressed early in the week to find
substitutes for the sick teachers.
The substitute force was cut down
last fall, Miller explained, because It
was thought better to have fewer
substitutes, who teach oftener. Some
OF the regular substitutes were
among those i'll and it was
necessary to call upon several for
mer substitutes.
I'VE will cooperate with the
health board in any measure de-
cided upon, even the closing of
school If that is deemed necessary"
said the superintendent. Il hardly
believe the schools should be
closed, however. The situation does
not warrant considering that in my
opinion. Besides, I don't believe the
uninfected childen would be much
better off If they were released to
rush N and out of doors from their
homes all day long. The situation
is not much worse than we usually
have at this time Of year."
Schools Not to Close
Meanwhile, DR.. william F.. King,
secretary of the state board of
health, took cognizance again of the
state situation by urging infected
persons to avoid congregation and
asking employers to send workers
with symptoms of influenza or kin
dred infections home.
Closing Of the public schools as
means of checking the epidemic
of respiratory infections would be
an obsolete method, in the opinion
of DR.. Herman G. Morgan, city SAN
itarian.
Several suggestions that the
schools be closed have been received
by the health officers.
Don't ''Wear Out Cold"
"Some buildings have as high as
sc per cent absence due to illness.
But this is not a general condition"
Dr. Morgan said.
people make the mistake of try
ing to wear out such colds. They
should go to bed at once and avoid
pneumonia and complications" DR..
Morgan wared.
DR.. Morgan estimated three out of
every five citizens have suffered
some form of respiratory infection
duri7g the last month.