Influenza Deaths Show Falling Off

• John W. Keegan, board of health clerk reports there have been 806 deaths from influenza in Columbus to date• So far, there have been 204 deaths in December, 342 in November, and 320 in October• Keegan reports there were 59 deaths last week, 82 the week prior, and 93 the week prior to that; there were 8 deaths reported yesterday • The Ohio State Medical Association requests from the Secretary of War that at least 200 Ohio physicians in training or in cantonments be returned immediately to the state • It is explained that because Ohio gave the army 1,600 physicians, many aged and retired physicians had to return to service• Many aged physicians have broken down and/or died under the strain of caring for influenza patients• George Sheridan, secretary for the Ohio State Medical Association says that unless relief is achieved, many other physicians will follow the same fate• Sheridan appeals to Secretary of War Baker for relief• Sheridan says, “We believe at least 100 younger Ohio physicians who now are practically killing time in camps, particularly Oglethorpe, could be returned immediately without impairment to the army, and they will be vitally needed to take the places of these older men who will be physically disqualified immediately weather conditions change.”Newspaper article2-