Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-10
MORE SEVERE FLU
TYPE HELD LIKELY
Warning Issued by Cumming.
Conference Drafting Preven-
ton and Treatment Plans.

With a warning note from Surgeon
General Hugh S. Cumming who him
self has contracted the malady to guard
against "a more severe type of in
fuenza with higher rate of mortal
ity," which may follow THE heels of
the present comparatively mild form
Of the prevalent disease" the confer
ence of noted scientists and health
officers called by the United States
Public Health Service started work
today on the drafting of plans for
prevention and treatment of future
epidemics Of the disease.
After its outset, announcement was
made that Surgeon General Cumming
would be unable to preside, being him.
self a victim of influenza. Since his
return Tuesday from medical meeting
in Chicago. the conference was in
formed, the Surgeon General has been
confined to his bed.
In his absence the conferees were well
coined by Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury Carl T. Schuneman in charge
Of the Public Health Service, who as
sured the gathering the Departmer-
feels certain with its cooperation, effec-
tive work would be done In connection
with public information concerning the
existing epidemic.
May Close Late Today.
State health officers and commission
erS from % States, besides a score of
city health officers and scientists from
leading agencies and universities, at
tended the conference, which may close
it's session later today. After a general
review of educational and scientific re-
search of previous influenza edipemics,
Assistant Surgeon General w. F. Draper,
who presided, appointed three COM
mittees to summarize the reports of the
conference and make definite recon-
mendations as to what steps should be
taken in attacking the problems involved
in future epidemics.
One of these committees was desig-
mated to study the phases of epidemi-
ology, the other from the viewpoint of
prevention and the third will report
on research activities.
Despite the fact that the conference
met coincidently with an announce
ment from the Census Bureau showing
a sharp increase in the number of
deaths from influenza for the week
just ended, DR.. Draper read statement
prepared by Surgeon General Cumming
in which he drew a far more encour-
aging picture of the existing epidemic,
though warning at the same time of
future developments.
Not Particularly Severe.
"The present epidemic is proving not
to be particularly severe as far as loss
"a life is concerned" Surgeon General
Cummings report said, land the public
may rest assured there need be but
little cause for apprehension on the
part of the average individual.
'At the present time the reports In
dictate that the disease Is diminishing
in those States which first reported 1t,
is increasing in most other parts OF the
country and is still extending toward
the East. Apparently the epidemic has
passed it's peak in many of the Western
and Central States, but the incomplete
ness of the reports and the fact that
the reports, from different States are
not comparable add to difficulties OF
interpreting the figures and make pre-
dictionS hazardous"
With approximately 1000 cases re-
ported for the week ending November
10, DR.. Cumming indicated the preva-
lence of the disease by citing figures
showing 10000 cases reported last
week, making the significant total OF
$4,000 since the epidemic started
around San Francisco,
Notwithstanding the present COM
paratively mild form of the prevalent
disease" his statement read, I'VE are
not justified in failing to take cogni-
zance that a more severe type of in
fluenza, with higher rate of mortality
may follow In the weeks or months tc
come, when the degree of our knowl-
edge may be a determining factor in
the lives of countless individuals"