Open Up Contagious Hospital For Influenza Patients

• In light of the large numbers of deaths this past week, a local physician believes a precautionary measure that should be instituted would be the reopening of the contagion hospital on Varnum Avenue• Many people are taking precautions such as not going to theatres and other public places to lessen their chances of getting the disease• It is believed the mild winter contributes to lax adherence to the health policies• The contagious hospital is fully equipped and ready to open temporarily should a health emergency occur• At this time, the Varnum Avenue sewer is not complete• The local physician believes the reopening of the hospital should occur before epidemic proportions are reached• “In view of the fact that it is acknowledged to be a contagious disease, it would appear to be the duty of the board of health to isolate every patient suffering from the disease.”• Doctors believe the disease is spread by direct communication with influenza patients and spread the same as other contagious diseases• It is wondered why isolation is not instituted; “then why not adopt the rule of isolation same as in other diseases such as measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria?”• It is believed to be the duty of the board of health department to protect the public and to adopt preventative measures such as isolation• It is also believed that if influenza patients are isolated by quarantine, it would lessen the spread of the disease• “Why not adopt the course of safety, when as all authorities agree, the disease is not only contagious, but in a large percentage of cases fatal?”• The Varnum Avenue sewer is not complete, and this is hampering the opening of the Varnum Avenue isolation hospital• Mayor Thompson is awaiting word from the board of health and the chairman of the health board Dr. Brunelle agrees• Another detriment to the reopening of the hospital is that city architect Henry L. Rourke has not turned over the formal plans to the building but it may be done by WednesdayNewspaper article