Portland Ready To Combat Influenza

• The Federal, state, and city health officers are considering closing public places in Portland. • Mayor Baker yesterday stated that an epidemic of Spanish influenza in Portland is a possibility. • There has been one case of Spanish influenza reported in Portland, apart from the eight at Benson. • Health authorities are keeping an eye on the situation and immediately isolate anyone who is suspected of having influenza. • Dr. Holt, state health officer, reported the latest case suspected to be Spanish influenza. The victim is a bacteriologist in Dr. Holt’s office. Dr. Holt advocated for the immediate quarantine of the Portland. He says there are 50 cases in Eugene and 500 in Corvallis. • Mayor Baker: “If the health officials agree that such a drastic step as closing down Portland is necessary to fight the disease successfully, I shall not delay in taking the step. It is a very serious measure, however, and with the few cases which have been authenticated here so far, there seems to be no need of immediate action.”• The quarantine order would apply to department stores, streetcars, schools, theaters and other public places. • Dr. Parrish states that the air in many Portland department stores is worse than in some theaters. • Dr. Parrish reported that the majority of theaters are in compliance with his instructions. • “If these orders are adhered to strictly and if individuals take unusual pains to keep germs from leaving them or gaining a hold, Dr. Parrish believes that Portland will be spared the economic and social loss that would result from a strict quarantine.”• Twenty-six women and two men volunteered their services for first aid work with the Red Cross in the event of an epidemic. Two of the volunteers were assigned right away to Benson. They were placed in quarantine. The names of the volunteers are listed.Newspaper article1