The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-28

turn at medical depots. Only when
the river returns to- its channel
does Louisville expect to know the
real horror Of its inundation.
Already some have been found dead
In buildings where they were
thought to be imarooned. It was
hardly conceivable that others will
not be found trapped in rooms still
under water, that some have not
been swept down river.
100 Were Drowned
Or. Hugh Rodman LeavelI, health
commissioner, said early today that
100 persons had drowned In the flood
or died from exposure, heart disease
or other illness caused directly by
the flood.
Bodies are being found in homes
constantly, Leavell said, and num-
Der have been discovered floating
In the flood water. Mayor Neville
Miller said last night there have
been 200 deaths In Louisville since
the flood began. His figure, he
added, includes the normal death
rate. 1t was estimated unofficially
that 20 persons die In Louisville
daily under normal conditions. Rod
man said the identified dead have
been embalmed. The unidentified
have been buried in cemeteries above
reach of the water. He said there
are SO bodies In one hospital, q In
another. Hospitals and emergency
relief stations scattered through
out the flood zone hold others.
Typhoid Dread Menace
Typhoid, one Of the most dreaded
Of epidemic diseases, will deliver its
real threat after the water has re-
coded and when over-anxious peo-
pie return too soon to homes not
yet fit to live in. DR.. George M.
Lawson Of the City Health Depart
ment said communicable disease
was prevalent in some of the refugee
stations. The number already in
fected may not be known for several
days, because most such diseases
require several days to incubate.
Pneumonia was the most common.
There were isolated cases Of scarlet
fever and influenza. There were
no definitely diagnosed instances Of
smallpox or typhoid, but sanitation
conditions were conducive to both.
Homeless Crowd Together
The homeless were crowded to-
gether in empty buildings, with few
If any sanitary facilities. Physically
exhausted, their resistance to dis
ease was at low ebb. Vile water
covered great sections Of the city.
Drinking water was rationed. Some
were afraid to even wash in the
water that trickled from their
faucets two hours each day. Many
restaurants used water sparingly
to wash dishes, and customers took
their chances.
The policemen, soldiers and fire
men and hundreds Of volunteers
struggled with feeble transportation
facilities to get as many Of the
homeless out Of the city as possible.
Groups Of so to 5000 were being
organized for evacuation.
Evacuate Business Section
The business section Of the city
will be evacuated, too, until proper
ty owners can estimate their losses.
They will run into millions Of dol
lars. The four miles Of yellow
water sweeping over the city car
ried roofs Of houses, automobile
tops, and house furnishings. Motor
boats cruising the flooded area coll
lided with submerged automobiles.
what devastation lay beneath the
water will not be known for days
perhaps weeks. Fire remained
constant threat, not only to the
refugees but to scores Of buildings
abandoned In the flood.
Gas mains have burst In some dis
tricts. No lights are permitted there
at all. Soldiers manhandled any
who refused to obey their prohtbi-
ton Of smoking. !,
Outbreaks OF looting were feared
as soon as 1t Is possible TO reach
presently submerged buildings on
foot.
Six hundred federal soldiers from
Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana,
were on duty. Severed hundred ma
tional Guardsmen augmented po-
lice forces. Their principal duties
at present were to aid In rescue ana
relief work.
Augmenting the local forces ana
troops were five hundred police Oh
ficers from score Of midwestern,
southern and eastern cities, who
rushed here by plane and automo-
hiles In response TO the mayors
broadcast plea for help.
RIxKR RECEnING