Dayton Daily News, December 4, 1918
INFLUENZA SITUATION BEING STUDIED HERE
Malady Prevalent Chiefly Among School Youths and Will be Watched
While there has been a slight increase in the number of deaths from influenza, ten during the last three days, the health authorities do not regard the situation sufficiently dangerous as yet to warrant the suspension of activities. In the event conditions do not improve within the next few days, the schools will be closed and children under 16 years will be prevented from commingling with crowds.
The disease now seems to be specially prevalent among the youth of the city, it being estimated that there are about five percent of the school children now afflicted. While the malady has not yet assumed quite as malignant a form as it did during the original epidemic, yet there are a great many cases that have become quite critical.
One physician told Health Commissioner Peters of a party held among children at a time when one of them was contracting the disease and within the next few days, every child that attended was stricken.
The authorities are just now marking time and their future course will be determined by the developments of the next day or two.
This was the decision reached at a conference Tuesday evening, attended by City Manager J. E. Barlow, Welfare Director D. F. Garland, George E. Schmidt, president of the board of education; H. H. Lotz, member of that body; Rev. J. G. Franz of St. John’s parochial school; Rev. J. H. Schengbar of Holy Trinity; Superintendent Hank W. Miller, of the Dayton public schools; Rev. Joseph Sieber, of the Emmanuel parish; Health commissioner A. O. Peters; Rev. Joseph Tetzlaff, of St. Mary College, and Rev. Martin P. Neville, of the Holy Angels parish.
While Superintendent Miller expressed the opinion that the schools would proceed for the present, both he and President Schmidt, of the board of education, declared their willingness to comply with the instructions of the health authorities.
Dayton Daily News, December 6, 1918
CONSIDER CLOSING THE GRADE SCHOOLS
Health Officer Peters Declares Definite Announcement Will Be Made on Saturday
Health Authorities Friday were seriously considering closing the grade schools and the theaters to children under 16 years of age, said Health Officer Peters.
If such action is necessary, it will probably be taken Saturday and the schools will not open Monday. High schools will be excepted in the order on account of the fact that the majority of high school students are more than 16 years of age.
Health Officer Peters was making a thorough investigation of influenza conditions Friday and said it was still possible that the 16-year-old ban may not have to be placed again.
Authorities in combating the epidemic are confronted by a peculiar condition in that the disease seems to be confined to certain sections of the city.
Some schools have reported very few cases of influenza among pupils while others have reported that attendance in some classes has been decreased by more than half through the epidemic.
Out of 570 public school teachers, there are 26 sick with influenza. Children in the second and third grades have been the hardest hit by the epidemic, Dr. Peters learned.
The average of deaths was reduced Friday from three to one according to reports received by Dr. Peters. No record is kept of new cases.
Dayton Daily News, December 9, 1918
GRADE SCHOOLS WILL NOT OPEN HERE TUESDAY
Health Authorities Suspend Work Until Influenza Situation Improves—We May Have “Flu” All Winter
Following an order issued by Health Commissioner Peter Monday, the grade schools will suspend indefinitely at the close of Monday’s session. This edict was announced, when it was learned Monday morning, that the number of influenza cases among the school children, had materially grown since last week.
The parochial schools are also affected by the order issued by Health Commissioner Peters.
Children under 16 years old will not be allowed to be present at theaters, motion picture shows, Sunday schools or other places where assemblages occur. No other restrictions have as yet been levied and probably will not be unless the situation grows more alarming than at present.
Up to noon, three deaths were reported. Forty-four public school teachers, 1 principal and 2 janitors were reported off duty and many pupils were absent, presumably because of influenza and the weather.
AID IS NEEDED AT HOSPITAL TO CURB “FLU”
Influenza Epidemic Has Taxed Nursing Forces at St. Elizabeth—Situation Demands Help
If influenza conditions in this city are to be improved in the near future, the sisters and nurses of St. Elizabeth hospital must have more aid. The aid required can only be furnished by young women who intend entering the nursing profession and it must be forthcoming at once.
The reports of the hospital for the months of October and November furnish conclusive evidence as to how the influenza epidemic has taxed the nursing forces of St. Elizabeth’s. On the first of October there were 399 cases of all kinds at the hospital and during that month 505 more patients were admitted, 350 of which were due to influenza. On the first of November there were 505 cases at the hospital and during that month 288 more were admitted of which 104 were victims of the prevalent disease. This makes a total of 454 cases of influenza which were treated at St. Elizabeth’s alone during the two months.
The following extracts from a letter received from Dr. A. J. Moorman, who is himself a patient at St. Elizabeth’s at the present time, shows the seriousness of the conditions now existing there:
“Since I have been here the extreme shortage of help has impressed itself on me more than ever and unless the sisters and nurses can secure more assistance I don’t see how the hospital can keep up. There are not sisters available in other towns for duty here and at present four or five of these here are down with influenza.
It is surely an important matter for the city and the sisters are anxious to co-operate in every possible way in giving the best possible service to the patients. But when you see these sisters and nurses on the go all the time, from six in the morning until 9 and 10 at night, you can guess there is a limit to human endurance.
During the height of the epidemic four floors have been given over entirely to the care of influenza patients and the operating rooms closed to all but surgical emergencies. The sisters and nurses have worked wonders, but are badly handicapped by the lack of help and will not be able to conduct the institution properly unless they receive more applications for the nurses school.
The citizens of Dayton surely owe it to themselves to take a lively interest in the hospital and its training school, which is fully accredited to the Ohio State board and offers a complete three-year course. Any young woman between the ages of 18 and 30, having the necessary one-year high school experience and contemplating entering the nursing profession is urged to apply at once for admission. Full particulars can be secured by visiting or addressing the hospital authorities.
Dayton Daily News, December 13, 1918
INFLUENZA MAY CONTINEU DURING MONTHS OF WINTER
Dr. Peters, Back From Health Conference, Tells of Conclusions Arrived At—Masks of Great Benefit
Keep your fingers out of your mouth and avoid, as far as possible, the handling of your food without the use of the usual table cutlery, which, itself, should be, carefully sterilized.
This is the injunction offered by Health Commissioner A. O. Peters, who returned Friday from Chicago, where he attended the annual convention of the American Public Health Association.
“The gas mask,” said Dr. Peters, “in the minds of the best authorities, as they expressed it, is to enable you to keep your hands from communicating the influenza germs to your mouth. It has been demonstrated that remarkably few cases of influenza have been contracted by inhaling the germs from the atmosphere.”
Health Commissioner Peters said that there existed a prevalent opinion among the prominent health authorities in attendance at the convention that the influenza epidemic will exist in more or less serious stages throughout the winter. This, they believe, will be especially true if the winter is marked by open, damp weather. The surest way to stamp out the disease, Dr. Peters said, according to the opinion of the universally recognized authorities, is to maintain a compact organization so as to be ready to fight any tendency toward material increase in the number of cases.
Special importance is attached to the maintenance of a definite and drastic program. The administration of the various cities must be in position to enforce certain regulatory measures without delay, according to the opinion of the health authorities. They must be prepared to dictate what time and in what order factories must close and theaters be operated and closed. There must be strict precautions observed to prevent overcrowding.
Education of the public through publicity was suggested as another way in which to suppress or hold in check the disease. Each person, Dr. Peters said, in outlining the trend of the discussion at the convention in Chicago, must be taught to develop an antiseptic conscience.
Among the more tangible measures that were suggested during the sessions of the convention were the matter of avoiding contact between the hand and the mouth and requiring restaurants and other places where food is dispensed or handled, properly to sterilize the cutlery and dishes and require those employed in these establishments to observe whatever regulations are necessary to prevent contamination of the food being served.
Dayton Daily News, December 16, 1918
SANTAS WIL NOT VISIT IN STORES
Roly Poly Old Fellow With Pack on His Back Will Be Missing in Places Where Children Might Gather—Epidemic on Wane
There will be no store Santa Claus for the kiddies this year—that is, the kind that wanders about in business establishments with red suit, high boots, white whiskers and a pack on his back.
The reason for his putting off his visit this year is due to an order of the board of health which went out Monday. Health Director Dr. A. O. Peters, in following out the plan of preventing congregating of children, believes that the elimination of anything which will attract children in large numbers is desirable while the ban is on against children under 14 years of age.
The school and church Santas will be absent also this year. The health department has received complaints from some of the educational and religious bodies which had planned Christmas entertainments for their young folks. “Be patient,” is the word sent back by Director Peters, “and help out with the campaign which is being waged against influenza among the younger inhabitants.” In many instances entertainments which were being arranged will be given after the ban has been lifted.
The health department is pleased with the progress which is being made in stamping out influenza. Where physicians had been reporting five and six new cases a day the average has come down to less than two a day. No time has been set yet for lifting the graded school ban and it is intimated that the closing this time will be continued until the flue epidemic has shown definite signs of abating.
Dayton Daily News, December 17, 1918
FLU TOLL TAKES JUMP IN DAYTON
Ten Deaths Are Reported in Day and Half All Among Patients Who Were Ill Before Second Ban Was Placed
The influenza toll for Monday and Tuesday exceeded the average which has obtained for the past week when the whole of Monday and the forenoon of Tuesday saw 10 deaths recorded. The average for the last three weeks has been but about two deaths a day.
The sudden increase caused no alarm to the health authorities when they learned that the deaths were among patients who had contracted the disease before the period of the recurrence of the epidemic.
Health Director Dr. A. O. Peters said Tuesday that the authorities felt justified in closing the grade schools of the city with the report of three deaths during the past week among school children. These were also cases which had been reported before the ban was placed on the schools and not new ones.
The new cases in the city show no increase in numbers. Dr. Peters insists that there is no justification as yet for opening the schools or lifting the ban against children under 14 years going in public places. He renewed the appeal to parents to keep children out of stores and other public places as much as possible.
Dayton Daily News, December 22, 1918
PREVALENCE OF INFLUENZA FAST RUNNING COURSE
Health Director Predicts That Schools Will Be Opened With End of Holiday Vacation Period
When the regular time of the school holiday vacation has expired, the ban which has been in operation for some time against the grade schools of the city because of a prevalence of influenza will be lifted and the schools can again operate. Whether or not the ban against children under 14 years of age entering public places other than the schools has been lifted by that time will be determined by the city health authorities at a conference to be held the first of the week.
This was the statement Saturday evening of Dr. A. O. Peters, city health director, after a survey of the situation in Dayton showed it to be much improved.
The prevalence of the disease among children is fast falling off and has been materially reduced since the third day after the closing of the schools. The number of deaths is also lowering each day. Friday there were three fatalities scored against the disease while the Saturday toll was four. Not only is this a material decrease in the daily number of deaths over a week ago, but the new cases are becoming fewer each day. Almost all of the deaths recorded during the last week have been of long standing cases, those for the most part which had their inception with the first epidemic in the city and which developed complications that later resulted in death.
Dr. Peters said Saturday night that there was not doubt that the current prevalence of influenza was rapidly running its course in Dayton.
Dayton Daily News, December 23, 1918
MISTLETOE LOSES ITS FAVOR: KISSING BAN BECAUSE OF “FLU”
Whether you ever thought of it or not—kissing under the mistletoe may not be as popular this year as in days gone by.
Cautious persons, and there are still some left, will be ever mindful of the bothersome little “flu” germ that persists in floating around in the Dayton air.
And then again, dealers say that the famed mistletoe itself is way up in price this season. So exit—kissing under the little bough of green.
A decrease was shown Monday in the deaths caused by influenza. The toll Monday was two, with the same total being reported for Sunday.
Dayton Daily News, December 23, 1918
INFLUENZA DEATH TOLL CUT IN TWO; MAY LIFT BAN JAN. 1
With reports in the hands of authorities Saturday showing that the deaths from influenza during the past week numbered 25, exactly half the total reported for the preceding week, Health Officer Peters said that tentative plans have been made to lift the ban on children under 14 years on January 1.
The general situation was pronounced good by Dr. Peters, who added that from two to three deaths a day may be expected, however, from old cases for some time. The number of new cases has been greatly reduced.
Only two deaths were reported up until noon Saturday. The order barring children under 14 years of age from public places, has been in effect since early in December.
Should conditions take a turn for the worse, the ban will not be raised the first of the year, it is said.
Dayton Daily News, December 29, 1918
BELIEVE EPIDEMIC IS UNDER CONTROL
Health Officer Peters Saturday night saw no reason to modify his announcement made earlier in the day that the influenza ban on children under 14 years of age will probably be lifted on New Year’s day.
With a total of only 25 deaths reported the past week compared with 50 for the preceding seven days, health officials are of the opinion that the disease is now finally under control locally. Two deaths were reported Saturday.
The ban barring children from public places, was ordered don December 9th.
Dayton Daily News, December 31, 1918
NEW YEAR’S EVE REVELERS WILL BE UNRESTRAINED
All Places of Amusement Offer Exception Attractions for Occasion—Cabarets Are Open
Dayton was preparing Tuesday to make merry New Year’s eve.
Hundreds and hundreds of watch parties were organized to be held either at homes or in the various places of amusement which will be open to receive the New Year’ revelers.
The theaters and the various cabarets were being groomed Tuesday for a big business. The cabarets at the Miami, Holden, Savoy, Gibbons and Antler hotels have all arranged for special music for the occasion. These places have been open for the last week, with orchestras playing while the patrons partook of refreshment. No singers or other entertainment are provided in any of them, but the strains of the famous jazz and soothing ballad will be at their loudest Tuesday evening.
The order went out from police Tuesday permitting the cabarets to continue their musical programs until 1:15 o’clock Wednesday morning. This does not mean that the open privilege is to be given of serving drinks after the regular hour of 12 o’clock. Orders, however, it is supposed, will be accepted as usual before midnight for the hour and a quarter which will follow.
The two speaking stage theaters are offering exceptionally good bills, while all of the motion-picture theaters have been advertising strong New Year’s eve and New Year’s day attractions.
RESTRICTIONS OFF, CHILDREN ARE FREE ON NEW YEAR’S EVE
New Year’s eve will find children under 14 years of age free to go and come as they please for the first time since early in December. The influenza ban will be lifted at 6 o’clock Tuesday night, according to an official announcement made by Health Officer Peters.
The removing of restrictions on children means that they will be able to attend theaters, pictures shows, go to churches and attend the various New Year’s eve parties that may be planned for them.
With the raising of the ban, children under 14 years of age, will resume their studies in the grade schools, which will re-open next Monday after the annual Christmas vacation.
The cancelling of the order forbidding children from public places follows a continued improvement in the influenza situation in the city. Only one death was reported to health authorities Tuesday. One was reported Monday and none Sunday.
Dr. Peters warned citizens Tuesday, however, that while the danger seems past, care against unnecessary exposure should still be taken and all health rules maintained.
The order against children has been in effect since December 9. It followed the lifting of a general ban in November and a second attack of the epidemic after it had apparently been checked.
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