Dayton Daily News, November 1, 1918
OFFICIAL ORDER FOR LIFTING BAN IS PROMULGATED
Persons Attending Public Gatherings and Custodians of Buildings Are Asked to Observe Precautions
If you contemplate attending church or theater Saturday or Sunday, wear warm clothing and do not be too hurried about removing your wraps upon entering the building. Custodians of buildings where public gatherings are to be held are requested to see to it that there is plenty of ventilation, without draft, and with a flood of outside air pouring into the building.
This was the suggestion of city health authorities Friday in connection with the lifting of the ban for adults after more than three weeks of quarantine against the influenza epidemic which swept the city. While deciding that public gatherings of adults can now be held without danger to the public health, the extra precaution of keeping the buildings in which people assemble in numbers thrown open as much as possible is believed to be timely.
The official order lifting the ban on churches, theaters and all public gatherings as well as places of business regulated by the quarantine order of October 8 was issued Friday morning by Health Director Dr. A. O. Peters and approved by City Welfare Director D. Frank Garland. Accordingly the ban, insofar as it applies to the activities of adult persons in Dayton, will be lifted at 6 o’clock Saturday morning.
The age limit of children who are affected by the order is 16 years. This means that only persons above 16 years will be entitled to attend public gatherings or frequent places where the regulations have heretofore been applied. The schools will not be opened and insofar as the population of the city under 16 years of age is concerned, the quarantine will apply as heretofore. This precaution is made necessary by the prevalence of influenza, grip and pneumonia among children.
The order for lifting the ban was promulgated upon receipt by Health Director Peters of the official confirmation from Acting State Health commissioner J. F. Bauman, of Columbus, that the state health council at its Thursday meeting had decided to permit city rights in the matter of lifting the quarantine, or rather of the degree in which it may be lifted.
The order carries with it a warning that all places dispensing drink and food must continue the precautions at first laid down when sterilization of all vessels was required. Various club groups, civic bodies and others which have been unable to meet because of the ban against public gatherings were preparing Friday for assemblies to be held next week.
Reports received by the city health department Friday showed that the epidemic continues to abate in this city, except among children.
Dayton Daily News, November 2, 1918
SATURDAY SEES BAN REMOVAL ON PUBLIC PLACES
Reports for October Show That 405 of 670 Deaths in Dayton Were Caused by Influenza and Pneumonia
The lifting of the ban which was placed against congregating in theaters, churches, saloons, pool rooms and other public places because of the prevalence of influenza in this city was lifted at 6 o’clock Saturday morning and those places of business and institutions affected by the quarantine were either open for business or preparing to resume operations.
Indications point to large attendance in the churches Sunday of adults. Children under 16 years of age will not be permitted to be present in any place where public gatherings are held for at least another week because of the large number of cases which are being reported among the child population of the city. The schools will remain closed during the coming week at least.
The order lifting the ban Saturday morning was not modified in any way and was carried out as originally promulgated. Restaurants, saloons and all places serving food and drink were required to observe certain sanitary precautions, such as sterilization.
Four hundred and five of the 670 deaths which occurred in Dayton during the month of October according to compilations by the city health department were due to influenza or pneumonia. This great toll also includes other deaths traceable to influenza. The list of 670 contains quite a number of still-born and premature deaths which, in many cases, can be credited against the epidemic.
The records for the month show that the influenza, grip and pneumonia preyed upon men more than on women and that the age period in which the disease was most prevalent was between 20 and 40 years.
With the announcement that the ban has been lifted in this city many inquiries have been received by the health authorities here concerning the status of rural communities. It has been pointed out that the health authorities in each township is responsible for the removal or continuation of the quarantine.
MORE THAN 100 CASES CALLED IN POLICE COURT
Effects of the influenza ban were again in evidence in police court Saturday when more than 100 cases were called on the docket. It was the first session of court held since Monday, Judge Budroe having ruled that the court will open only on Mondays and Saturdays during the epidemic.
The ban will be lifted next week.
LIBRARIES TO OPEN HERE ON MONDAY
The main library of the Carnegie branches will be reopened to the adult public only beginning next Monday, November 4, and to children when the schools reopen. School branches at Brown and Allen will not reopen until the board of health lifts closing ban of the schools. No fines will be charged for the period closed on account of influenza.
The Carnegie branches will open at 12 o’clock instead of 1:30 p.m. as heretofore and close at 8:30 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.
This action extending library hours was taken by the library board this week at its meeting on Tuesday, the purpose being to give library service at the hours when the most people can make use of it, especially to those who would like to spend their noon hour in reading. It was voted to try this for a period three months. Its continuance will depend upon how much the people make use of the privilege.
Dayton Daily News, November 3, 1918
RECURRENCE OF EPIDEMIC REMOTE
Health Director A. O. Peters Says Situation in Dayton Continues to Show Improvement
“The situation continues to look good and I do not anticipate a relapse because of lifting the ban,” said Dr. A. O. Peters, city health director Saturday evening after receiving reports from all quarters concerning the conduct of places which had been under the ban of quarantine since October 8. Six deaths were reported Saturday forenoon.
Dr. Peters looks for the daily toll of the disease to fall to an average of three or four deaths a day by Monday or Tuesday with deaths continuing in lessening numbers each day throughout the month or until the epidemic has completely spent itself. He said that so far as could be learned there had been no disposition on the part of any of the re-opened places to disregard the request that health precaution be continued indefinitely.
If each child of school age could have been given a physical examination, the schools could have been opened Monday, according to Dr. Peters. In the face of the utter impossibility to have examined each child in such a short time, however, and the fear that some of the mild cases might have caused a spread of the disease it was decided to keep the schools closed for another week.
The quarantine which was placed against the soldiers at Wilbur Wright field was lifted Saturday and the men stationed at the post will be permitted outside privileges again. They will not be permitted to attend dances, enter theaters, or go to public places to be held in the city until further orders. This phase of the order was issued, it was said, to protect the soldiers against the possibility of contracting the disease within the city.
Dayton Daily News, November 8, 1918
CHILDREN WILL BE EXAMINED BEFORE ENTERING SCHOOL
Although there were ten deaths reported from Influenza in Dayton today and five up until 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, this fact has not altered the purpose of the health officials to open the schools Monday. The deaths that were reported to the health department resulted from cases that were contracted some days ago. But few new cases are now being reported, it being the judgment of the health officials that the epidemic has almost completely spent itself.
Neither the churches or picture shows will be open for children until next week. This regulation will be maintained until the school children can be examined after the schools resume operation and plans affected whereby they can be given proper protection. The children throughout the city will be examined upon entering the schools Monday morning and all pupils showing evidences of a cold or other illness will be excluded.
Health Officer Peters pointed out Friday that while the conditions in Dayton are rapidly improving, other cities in the state are still in bad condition. He also said that the new cases that are found to be developing in Dayton are of a mild character. The situation in North Dayton is also rapidly improving and with proper precautions taken with reference to the schools, Dayton is believed to be gradually approaching normal conditions.
Dayton Daily News, November 9, 1918
BAN TO BE ENTIRELY LIFTED MONDAY
Nine deaths resulted from influenza Friday, and only one up until 2 o’clock Saturday, according to the reports received by the health department. The situation, according to Health Commissioner Peters, is such as to warrant the statement that the schedule, as formerly outlined in removing the ban, will be carried out. This means that the schools will be open Monday, and that picture shows and theaters may operate thereafter under normal conditions.
The churches will be conducted Sunday under conditions similar to those that have been prevalent. Children will not be allowed to attend. Health Commissioner Peters said that the situation is gradually clearing up, and while there is yet need of reasonable precautions, yet the general outlook is heartily encouraging.
INFLUENZA BAN AT JAIL LIFTED
Sheriff William C. Oldt announced Saturday the influenza ban which has been in affect at the county jail, because of the large number of cases which broke out at the institution, has been lifted and visitors will again be allowed to enter the place. Spread of the disease in the jail was curbed by the prompt co-operation of Sheriff Oldt with the health authorities.
CALLS FOR NURSES
Five calls for nurses were received and answered by Mrs. Frank Blum, Red Cross registrar, on Friday. Three were influenza cases, one was pneumonia, and one was a nervous case. On Thursday, two nervous breakdown calls were answered. One of them was that of a young woman who has been overworking on patriotic war activities.
Dayton Daily News, November 10, 1918
EPIDEMIC HAS SPENT ITS FORCE
Opening of Schools Monday Morning Will mark Official Passing of Influenza Terror in Dayton
The influenza epidemic in Dayton has almost spent its force. This was the estimate of the situation given by Health Director Dr. A. O. Peters Saturday evening, after the reports for the day showed that there had been but one death directly traceable to influenza or its kindred diseases.
There have been thirty-five or forty deaths so far this month from the disease, but these, almost without exception, were of victims who have been long sufferers from the attacks. Dr. Peters said Saturday evening that he expected from twenty-five to thirty more deaths among old cases. The new cases which are being reported are mild.
The schools of the city will resume operations Monday morning, after weeks of idleness because of the epidemic. All teachers have been instructed to examine the children for whatever evidences of colds or sore throat they may discover. The district physicians will begin their work of individual examinations of the children at the same time. It is estimated that five days will be necessary for the physicians to complete their examination of the school children.
The churches Sunday morning will conduct services under the same regulations which have prevailed during the ban on the children of the city. The youngsters will not be allowed to attend for this Sunday, at least.
With the opening of the schools Monday, the ban in Dayton can be said to have been completely lifted.
Dayton Daily News, November 11, 1918
(In the midst of the epidemic, World War I ends, and a peace agreement is reached. The following is a glimpse of the activities in Dayton that day).
THOUSANDS MARCH
With the streets already filled with thousands of marching men and women at 10 o’clock, the N.C.R. poured its 5000 employees into the maelstrom and from that minute on the streets were impassable. To add to the jam which already filled the streets, the Dayton Wright Airplane company’s array of industrial soldiers poured into the city, 6000 strong. The workers upon reaching the plant were instructed to punch the time clock and “fall in.” They did fall in with a will. Women asked no favors and marched the four miles back to the city side by side with the male employees. The outburst which accompanied the march had not lessened the ardor by the time the marchers reached the city and the din was increased many fold by the happy throng from Moraine City. The employees will be paid for the day while celebrating.
SCHOOLS DISMISS
The schools were dismissed within an hour after they had convened following a month’s vacation caused by the influenza epidemic. All hooky records were broken, and, seeing this, Superintendent Frank Miller gave orders to shut down for the day. The opening as a result will take place Tuesday morning instead of Monday. The Central school. because of its close proximity to the heart of the city, marched uptown to take part in the celebration.
SALOONS ARE CLOSED
At 9:45 o’clock the police received orders to notify the saloons to close for the day and evening. The streets were almost devoid of evidences of drunkenness but the step was taken as a precaution.
MCCOOK FIELD CELEBRATES
At McCook field the civilian employees walked out and formed a parade of their own, headed by a band. The final assembly and hangar departments were the only ones to remain because of the need of their work on airplanes.
Some of the factory delegations seen in parades uptown were the Dayton Electrical Manufacturing Co., Dayton Metal Products, Delco, Domestic Engineering, Sheffield Tool Co., Egry Register Co., Vale-Kimes Co., Comer Manufacturing Co., Fyr Fyter Co., Dirst Milling Co., Platt Iron Works, Thomas Manufacturing Co., Dayton Tool Co., Dayton Tool and Die Co., and the U.S. Naval Ordinance.
RINEHART STUNTS
At the height of the morning demonstration several airplanes flew over the city. One daring aviator, believed to be Howard M. Rinehart, chief pilot of the Dayton Wright company, entertained for 15 minutes over the intersection of Third and Main streets with a program of the most daring and novel stunts. Another pilot insisted in adding to the hum with the power of his motor which was joined into the din by flying just above the roofs of the buildings. At times, it seemed that the machine would strike the tops of the lower buildings and the aviator would avoid the collision just in time with an uplift of his planes.
The management of the Dayton Ohio Production company announced early Monday morning that the employees of the plant, which is strictly a war industrial concern, had decided not to march but were continuing to work. The plant runs a day and night shift of 650 persons.
Even the weather man caught the spirit of the occasion and gave the central states a perfect fall day with the temperature just to the liking of the celebrants and tempered with a bright sunshine.
If Dayton wasted five tons of paper in the premature demonstration of last Thursday, the legitimate loss of Monday must have been ten times as much. The streets were literally paved with white bits cast from office windows. Shoulders and hats were peppered with confetti hurled into faces of the throngs by bagsful, as one means of giving vent to the feelings. Everyone took the bombardment good naturedly. In fact, the jolly spirit of the crowd was one of its most striking features. People shook hands and extended greetings in the most informal manner. No one waited for an introduction. It was a gala day and one was not in the swirling throng a minute until one had caught of the spirit.
The early morning demonstrations while not great in numbers lacked nothing in enthusiasm. Out at McCook field the employees gathered for a patriotic concert and gave voice to their feelings so that the whole post was awakened. When the employees of the post office received the news they too held a jollification. In hotels, guests were awakened and the corridors were soon full of sleepy, half clad guests all congratulating each other. There was little rest for people living or working in the uptown section after the news came that Germany had officially been brought to her knees. Court house officials closed up their offices for the day.
CLOSED FOR CELEBRATION
The Dayton post office closed its window at noon to give the clerical, letter carrier and custodian forces opportunity to join the throngs that celebrated the victorious end of the war. Windows and usual business will be resumed again at 6 o’clock.
Staff of the Y.W.C.A. was dismissed until 11 o’clock, but the spirit of victory pervaded the building as various groups of women stopped there to rest and jollify.
Red Cross headquarters continued usual departments until noon. Mrs. Frank Blum, nurse registrar, Mrs. Girard Matthes, office secretary, Mrs. Shafer, information clerk, and the knitting department secretaries were on duty most of the day. The home service section, under Mrs. Gertrude McCluer, continued its service all day.
Though the pad rooms and surgical dressings workrooms were opened at the usual hour, but few women remained to work long. The joyous spirit of the crowds seemed to attract everyone.
Dayton Daily News, November 13, 1918
CONFETTI THROWING MAY BE BANNED
Safety Director James on Wednesday asked the city commission to pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale and throwing of confetti. It is held that the throwing of confetti is a means of spreading disease.
Dayton Daily News, November 14, 1918
DO VICTIMS OF 1889 EPIDEMIC ENJOY IMMUNITY?
Health Department Records of Current Influenza Spread Point to Help of Some Agency Not Accounted For
City health authorities and physicians who have studied the records in connection with the influenza epidemic in Dayton and wondering whether people above the age of 40 years have enjoyed a degree of immunity from the disease because of attacks which they suffered during the epidemic of the disease in the country 29 years ago.
The records as compiled by health Director Dr. A. O. Peters point plainly to the fact that the men and women between the ages of 20 and 40 years have been the greatest sufferers from the epidemic. About one-third of the victims have been of the ages between 20 and 40 years of age. A great part of the percentage remaining have been found below the age of 20 years.
With these figures in mind it is recalled that the victims of the epidemic of 29 years ago are now all past the age of 40 years and it is this that gives rise to the quandary as to whether or not a degree of immunity obtained by the attack of the disease almost 20 years ago is not serving to protect the same people now.
The fact that the disease was not so prevalent among the younger people is that they have not yet entered business life and were therefore not so greatly exposed to the disease.
There were 15 deaths recorded Saturday and Sunday in this city, with six more reported by noon today. Dr. Peters announced that these deaths are from cases which are of two or three weeks duration. The falling off in new cases is marked. But few new patients are being reported.
Dayton Daily News, November 18, 1918
CROWDS HERE HAVE DEVELOPED SOME INFLUENZA AGAIN
The recent peace celebration in Dayton, causing the assemblage of large crowds of people, were probably responsible for a few new cases of influenza reported to health authorities, Health Commissioner A. O. Peters said Monday.
New cases reported, however, are mild and the number of deaths is daily, decreasing in the city. The situation in the city’s schools, Dr. Peter said, is excellent, and the school children appear to be almost entirely safe from the ravages of the disease.
While there is some spread of the disease in Dayton yet to be combated, the head of the health department declared it is nothing alarming.
Dayton Daily News, November 21, 1918
RECURRENCE OF EPIDEMIC NOT EXPECTED HERE
Health Director Continues to Wage War Again Perpendicular Drinking Fountains
While reports from Indianapolis, Cincinnati and other cities concerning a recurrence of the influenza epidemic have had a tendency to cause uneasiness in this city, Health Director Dr. A. O. Peters said Thursday that there was nothing to indicate the disease was to become epidemic again in Dayton.
New cases are being unofficially reported to the health department daily, but these are without exception of a light nature and the patient is ill for but a short time. The deaths from old cases continue at the rate of about two a day.
Dr. Peters is continuing his fight against perpendicular drinking fountains, which he ordered from all public places at the outbreak of the influenza epidemic. Several of the larger factories are complying with this order.
What is desired is a fountain which throws the stream away from its source instead of falling back directly over it. The recommended style of device also has a guard which prevents persons putting their lips to any part of the fountain.
The order for shutting off the perpendicular fountains is responsible for the absence of water in many public places in the city at this time.
Dayton Daily News, November 22, 1918
NO OCCASION FOR ALARM HERE OVER INFLUENZA CASES
“While there is yet no occasion for alarm over the present influenza situation in Dayton,” said Health Commissioner Peters Friday morning, “there is imperative need of the maintenance of strict precautionary measures.”
Health Commissioner Peters stated that there is no basis for the report that the schools will be closed and the ban placed on other activities in Dayton. He said that there are numerous cases of grip and some cases of influenza. The number of deaths from influenza and all other diseases that bore any resemblance to this affliction have been averaging two a day this week, while there was an average of three deaths a day last week. This, the health commissioner stated, indicated that the situation is gradually growing better. He says he expected a number of cases to continue and that the present situation is no surprise to him.
It was also explained by the commissioner that there have been no deaths and no unusual number of cases of influenza among the school children. He said that the absentees at the present time are above the average for this period of the year but not unusual for the kind of weather now prevailing. He says there are some children being detained at home because of the fear on the part of their parents that they might contract the disease were they allowed to go. This situation, he said, however, will soon adjust itself, if the conditions continue to improve, as it now appears they will. There is no convincing evidence, according to the health commissioner, that there will be an immediate recurrence of the epidemic.
ST. MARY COLLEGE IS CLOSED DOWN
Owing to the fact that there are a number of cases of influenza at St. Mary college, the college was dismissed Thursday and will remain closed until December 2, after the Thanksgiving day vacation. While the institution has habitually given the students a week’s vacation it was extended several days this time in order more effectively to handle the influenza situation and remove the necessity, if possible, of establishing a general quarantine.
Dayton Daily News, November 28, 1918
INFLUENZA SITUATION GRADUALLY IMPROVES
Gradual improvement was reported Saturday in the influenza situation in Dayton. But ten deaths from this disease have occurred within the last eight days, while there were 21 during the previous seven days of an average of three each day.
No school children have as yet succumbed to the affliction since the ban has been lifted and the schools are in operation. While there are quite a large number of cases, the medical authorities have been able to get in touch with them promptly and thus prevent them from developing into a malignant stage.
In this connection, Health Commissioner Peters advises the enactment of a state law for the protection or reimbursement of those persons who are detained at their homes on account of a quarantine. He pointed out that many of these persons are subjected to hardships, which they are not in a position to withstand without great sacrifice of personal comfort. Yet, he said, in many instances, not to establish a quarantine would be inimical to the health of the community.
Dayton Daily News, November 30, 2007
WARM CLOTHING SHOULD BE WORN
Warning is Issued to Patrons of Street Cars With Coming of Ventilation Orders
If patrons of the street cars desire to be comfortable while riding in them beginning Monday, they should dress as warmly as they can while automobiling. This is the advice of Health Director A. O. Peters along with the order which has been given to the car companies to keep the ventilators of their cars open beginning with Monday.
Cards will be posted in the cars calling attention to the requirements of the health authorities for the protection of the conductors against protests from passengers. The ventilation order has been issued as a precaution against the spread of influenza.
Deaths from pneumonia in Dayton for October and November with the last day of November not counted amounted to 534. Last year there were 87 during the same period. Dr. Peters estimates that about 450 deaths were due to the epidemic. The weekly average of deaths during the epidemic was about 50.
A close watch will be kept on the schools after they open Monday to guard against a recurrence of the epidemic.
12 INFLUENZA DEATHS DURING PAST WEEK
Twelve deaths from influenza during the past week were reported to the local health authorities, and while the disease hangs on with some tenacity, health Commissioner Peters doesn’t believe the situation sufficiently serious to justify placing the ban on any of the activities now in operation.
He explained that quite a good many people had asked him to suspend the schools, but it is his judgment that such action would not be warranted, inasmuch as but very few cases have occurred among pupils of the schools and, those that have developed have been mild. Fourteen deaths were reported during the preceding week from this disease. During the past week there were but one or two occasionally until Friday, when five were reported.
Vital Statistician E. C. Pennywitt stated that there have been only 36 deaths from all causes during the past week which is an exceptionally favorable record.
