The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-12-12
Thousands of New Cases
Reported Over Central
Section of U. S.
UNIVERSITIES CLOSED
Admit Chicago Condition
Serious, but Not Yet
Critical.
BV United Press

BIZ United Press
CHICAGO, Dec. 12.-The
epidemic of influenza which
has spread eastward from the
west coast in the last three
weeks has attained serious pro-
portions in the middle west,
health reports indicated today.
A United Press survey of the en-
tire western area today showed that
several thousand new cases have
been reported in the last twenty
four hours.
Health authorities of the middle
west reported the disease apparently
is a milder type of influenza than
that which swept the country in
1918.
They agreed, however, that all
precautionary measures adopted by
numerous localities week ago have
failed to check the advance OF the
epidemic.
California, particularly in Los
Angeles, where the present epidemic
first gained foothold, reported con-
siderable reduction in the number OF
new cases, indicating the situation
there was well in control. San Fran
cisco reported influenza virtually
had died out there.
Southwest Is Stricken
Los Angeles reported eleven
deaths in the last twenty-four
hours, bringing the total for the
month to 146. The epidemic has
claimed approximately 200 lives
since its start, officials said. There
were 500 new cases listed yester-
day as compared with 800 last
Thursday.
A total of 1904 new cases were
reported in Oregon for the week
ending Dec. 8. Portland reported
173 cases today and officials said
that early closing of schools and
preliminary precautions against
spread of the epidemic was respon-
sible for the slight death rate.
Five per cent Of the population
of Arizona has been affected by in
huenza, with a death total OF four
teen. One hundred new cases were
reported at Arizona university, Tue
son today. Six teachers were i'll at
Phoenix high school.
Kansas Badly Affected
The epidemic was at its height
in Missouri and Kansas with ma
jority of the educational institutions
closed down. The University Of
Kansas at Lawrence was ordered
closed today by Chancellor E. H.
Lindley when more than 500 cases
were reported among students.
Glass work will be resumed after
the holidays.
The University of Missouri at Co.
lumbia closed down Tuesday when
influenza cases had filled the uni
versity infirmary.
In Illinois the epidemic apparent
ly is not as serious as in the south
western sections.
Approximately 100 cases have been
reported at University of Illinois at |
Urbana, DR.. j. H. Beard, university |
health officer said. Thirty students
have been sent to Mckinley hospital
there. Rock Island, Ill, reported a
large number of students absent be-
cause Of the epidemic.
Chicago Is Menaced
Chicago's death toll Tuesday was
five, but health commissioner A. H.
Kegel reported the situation "seri-
Gus but not critical"
Beloit, Wis, reported two deaths.
DR.. G. w. Andrews, city health off,
Ger, reported there we're 1000 new
cases in the city. The state board
of health warned that the epi-
demic was gaining headway rapidly.
The larger cities of Indiana were
beginning to show the advance of
the epidemic. Culver Military acad-
emy, Culver, closed down Tuesday,
as did Wabash college at Crawfords-
vile.
st. Paul, MINI, reported 900
cases and other cities In that state
reported many children out Of
school.
Serious in Denver
In Wichita, Kan, the situation
was becoming serious. Three deaths
have been reported and 2,400 stu
dents and forty-two teachers were
absent from school. Salina, Kan,
reported 600 school children out OF
class and Parsons had ITO absent.
Latest reports from Denver said
there were 1000 cases there, but DR..
S. B. Jaffa, manager of the health
department, said most of them
were not serious. Twenty deaths |