Funeral Invitations Barred in Epidemic

• 30 influenza deaths and 9 pneumonia were reported to the Boston Health Department offices for the 24-hour period up to 10 last night• the previous nights total deaths were 23 influenza and 7 pneumonia• So far in 1918 there have been twice as many deaths from influenza in Boston than were recorded from 1890 to 1917• The pneumonia death rate is nearly 70 percent higher than a year ago• Boston’s death rates from influenza are nearly triple the mortality of the entire State from 1913 to 1917 inclusive• Stricter enforcement of the regulations against the public funeral, which the increasing number of cases make necessary, is not being approached with any certainty as to their powers by the Boston Health Department officials, who admit that they are not quite sure what the phrase “public funeral” means in a legal sense• Officials say that it may mean that only immediate family members should be allowed to the funeral and that no services should be allowed in a place where people are forbidden to gather• Authorities disagree on whether on how a court would interpret the law• It is questioned whether a literal enforcement of the law would lead to the elimination of church services • Members of the Health Commissioner’s staff have a wide variety of opinions as to what constitutes a “public funeral” as well as to the methods required to carry out the general provisions of the law• Health Commissioner Woodward expects that whatever else may be done, that undertakers must be immediately notified that there be no more funeral notices in influenza cases inviting friends to the service• Woodward also has under consideration a plan to require dentists, barbers, doctors and nurses to wear gauze masks• There has been pressure to require everyone on the streets to wear masks, but a study of results from cities in which this was required is not conclusive as to whether this is an advisable measure or not• New cases reported yesterday show a decrease of 34• Commissioner Woodward said that returns are not being made as punctually as the law requires. He emphasized that doctors and householders need to immediately report cases. Violators may be subject to a $100 fine• Including the 451 cases reported in Boston Thursday, there were 2711 new cases in the State for the 24 hour period• Cambridge school authorities yesterday decided not to reopen the schools until Monday, January 6, due to the rapidly increasing number of influenza victims in that cityNewspaper article