INFLUENZA IS DECREASING
IN L.A. SAYS REPORT
Falling Off of Total
Number of Cases Indicates
Epidemic Is Being Checked
A falling off of 234 in the total number of new cases of influenza reported yesterday, from the total number reported a week ago Monday, today gave the health authorities reason to believe their campaign against an influenza epidemic here was already bearing fruit. A week ago Monday, 1149 new cases were reported, many of them having been delayed several days. Yesterday’s’ total number of cases, 915, also similarly included a large number of delayed reports. There were 64 deaths reported yesterday, but these deaths included many reports that were delayed as far back as last Friday. Twenty seven of these deaths were from pneumonia-influenza; 24 from straight influenza and 13 from plain pneumonia.
NEW CASES TOTAL 658
Up to 10 o’clock today, a total of 658 new cases had been reported against 777 last Tuesday. The number of deaths reported yesterday, it was stated by Dr, L. M. Powers, the city health commissioner, gave no index to the real situation because these deaths were of cases some days old, before the drastic quarantine regulations became properly effective here. Dr. Powers today warned against using nasal sprays or douches that irritate the mucous membranes within the head, as preventives of influenza. “If people would only quit fearing influenza and stop worrying themselves into a state of illness —if they would only let smelling salts alone and stay out in the air as much as possible, keep the mind healthy and the body clean— they would do far more than with dope to escape infection.”
OPEN SOME RESORTS
The health authorities today permitted a local zoo, an ostrich and an alligator farm, boathouses in the parks and other outdoor resorts to resume operation, provided the management prevented crowding of persons and prevented more than 10 persons from grouping together. Shooting galleries were ordered to remain closed. Reports from the various hospitals showed that the number of cases is not by any means taxing the capacity of these institutions, This, in itself, is believed to be a hopeful sign. The situation today was believed to be so promising that the city health commissioner’s advisory board of physicians declined to make any recommendation for general wearing of gauze masks to guard against influenza. The gauze masks, therefore, will be required to be worn only by physicians, nurses and others in direct contact with influenza patients, Because of the failure of cadets to arrive from the east, due to the Influenza epidemic there, balloon flights at the Arcadia school were postponed. No cadets have arrived at the camp since the influenza epidemic in the east. There are only a few cases of mild influenza at the school .
Mother of Pomonan Stricken on Train
J. W. Tucker of Pomona today received notification of the death of his mother who was en route from Illinois to visit him. Mrs. Tucker was taken ill on the train and was taken to a hospital at Sacramento. She died there of influenza. G. H. Sweet, also of Pomona, received news of the death of his son Orville, at an Oakland hospital. Young Sweet was stricken with influenza and died as his father was preparing to leave for his bedside.
Ask Volunteer Nurses
to Fight Influenza
City Mother Aletha Gilbert today issued a call for Volunteer nurses to help fight the influenza epidemic. There are hundreds more cases than there are nurses, Mrs. Gilbert announced today. In one private scbool where boarders remained after the quarantine was declared there are a large number of cases and no nurses obtainable. All women willing to volunteer are asked to apply to Mrs. Gilbert either at Norman Hill center or by telephone by calling Main 9060, station 5.
Influenza Shows
New Gains in Cleveland
By Intentional News Service
CLEVELAND, Oct. 22,—The epidemic of Spanish influenza showed another gain here within the last 24 hours, when 57 deaths and 100 new cases were reported. This brings fatalities up to 227 in Cleveland and reported cases to almost 7000, It is said that unreported cases are much more numerous than those of which health authorities have been notified.
Peak of Epidemic Reached,
Says Chicago
By International News Service
CHICAGO, Oct, 22.—Medical authorities of this city are of the opinion today that the crest of the influenza-pneumonia epidemic which has taken toll of hundreds of lives, has been reached and that relief is in sight. Deaths from the epidemic reported yesterday were 375 and new cases 2070. In the southern part of the state the epidemic is still spreading rapidly with new cases developing with alarming rapidity.
1240 New Cases and 20 Deaths in S. F.
By International News Service
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22 .— Twelve hundred and forty new cases of Spanish influenza and 20 more deaths were reported to the health authorities up to 12:30 o’clock this afternoon. Health authorities here say this is the heaviest report turned in in one day since the epidemic started. Mayor Rolph has issued a proclamation calling upon every resident of the city to wear a gauze mask. The Red Cross society has appropriated $50,000 for relief work.
It appears from the newspaper stories on the influenza, that it began in Germany in June of 1918:
German Epidemic Due to Hunger
Sacramento Union
AMSTERDAM, July 13.—The Illness from which thousands of persons in German industrial districts are sufering and which has been described as Spanish influenza, is really an illness due to hunger and consequent exhaustion, the Telegraaf says. In various industrial towns, the newspaper reports, many deaths are occuring and the hospitals are full of patients suffering with this maledy. The German potato ration has been reduced to between one and one-half to two kilograms per week person and the new potato crop has not yet been distributed. Various branches of German Industry are reported considerably hampered in their work.
Survivors Warned
Against Souvenirs
WASHINGTON, June 5.— Officials today warned the survivors of the
submarine attack against giving away food or other articles given them by
the Germans as souvenirs The government pointed out the
Spanish influenza epidemic introduced in Spain by the submarines
Introduction of the germs here is feared by the government.
Kaiser Bill Goes
Home Suffering
Influenza Attack
ROME, July 10. — William has fallen a victim to the influenza that has been so prevalent in the German army, according to advices from a Swiss source that have reached the Epoca. These declare that the emperor has gone home from the French front because of the attack of “Spanish grippe,” as it is called, and that several members of the emperor’s family are also suffering from the same malady.
An interesting summary of the impact of the H1N1 virus on Africa in 1918 can be read here: http://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/influenza_pandemic_africa .
” the pandemic’s three distinct but related waves, an infectious but relatively mild first wave in March-July 1918, the deadly second wave in August-December 1918, and a serious but more moderate third wave in 1919. ” Seems the first wave didn’t impact Africa, thus no immunity was built up and the second wave was extremely serious.