Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-10-08
City Expands
Health Stats
ToCOnnbat Flu
Private Physiciuns
To Be Enlisted in
Event Of Epidemic

The District Commissioners
today authorized the Health
Department to expand its
medical and nursing programs
to treat the city's rising num-
Der Of cases of Influenza like
illnesses. including Asian flu.
Also approved was a plan for
enlisting private physicians. at
city expense, II the current flu
Incidence reaches epidemic
stage. City officials empha-
sized. however. that an cpl
demic has not arrived yet.
Today's action was based on
what health officials termed
"an unusual prevalence" Of in
fiuenza-like infections.
DR.. Frederick C. Heath. Dep
uty Health Director, reported
that Asian flu cases have now
been positively identified at
three public schools. as well as
at the Children's Center. Lau-
rel. Md. and Junior Village at
Blue Plains.
Schools Named
The three schools are Car
dozo High. Thirteenth and
Clifton streets NV. where
more than 200 Of the 1900 pu-
pills were out a week ago: Mac
farland Junior High. Thir-
tenth and Upshur streets NV. :,
where 42l Of 1885 students
were absent yesterday. and
Woodson Junior High. Mime
sofa avenue and Foote street
NE. where $50 of the 1851
students were absent yesterday.
DR.. Heath said absences have
increased markedly in some
other schools as well. and spot
checks are to be made shortly
to determine whether Asian flu
is present in those cases. A
third Of the pupils at Roosevelt
High School. Thirteenth and
Upshur streets NV. and al
most q fifth Of those at McKin-
ley High School. Second and T
streets NE. were absent yes
terday.
The District Medical Socie-
tvs telephone Medical Bureau
recently has had double the
usual number Of calls for doc
tors. according to Theodore
Wtprud, executive secretary.
The Health DEPARTMENTS staff
Of physicians who treat in
digent patients had q case load
last week Of 100. compared to
the normal 40.
This star already has been
expanded from five to seven
and may be enlarged further,
DR.. Heath said.
The steps taken by the Conn
missioners today were aimed at
providing for persons unable to
Fay for normal medical service.
Hiring Authorized
Authorized Immediately was
the hiring not only Of addi-
tional physicians by the Health
Department but also more
nurses. technicians. pharmacists
and others on a temporary basis
as needed.
The Commissioners also au-
shorized the department TO re-
fer public assistance recipients
needing bed care to the Visiting
Nurse Association. The asso-
citation viii be paid S3.O4 for
each home visit.
II an epidemic stage should
be reached. the Health De-
partment will call on the serv-
ices Of a panel Of physicians
designated by the Medical So
ciety TO whom INDECENT patti
efts can be referred by the
society's medical bureau. po-
lice precincts or the Health
Department itself. Rates for
home visits in such cases were
set at IS for one patient and
81 for each additional patient
per visit.
The city also has arranged
with the District Pharmaceu-
tical Society for the filling OF
prescriptions by a group OF
participating pharmacists.
DR.. Heath said there are
many types Of influenza now
going around besides Asian flu
He said. however, there is nc
reason at the moment for the
public to become alarmed
Asian flu can be no more Sc
we're than a cold. he said.