Death Claims 10 More Influenza Victims In City

• 10 deaths and 872 new cases of flu reported bringing total since outbreak in Birmingham to 60 deaths and 2,983 cases.• 320 cases reported in county, but this number believed to be only a small percentage of actual cases in county due to underreporting and an inability to verify the actual numbers• The Central High School and “negro” High School buildings are being converted into hospitals. The existing hospitals are “taxed to their capacity.”• The local chapter of the Red Cross offers its assistance to local officials. J.K. Brockman, a local chapter official, holds a joint conference with Dr. Dowling regarding the Red Cross’s assistance. • Dr. Dowling raises concern about crowded street cars and lack of proper ventilation.• Miss Catherine LaBoulase, a Red Cross worker from New Orleans, noted that New Orleans had forced store owners to open their stores later (10am) to reduce congestion on street cars in the early morning.• Article reports several people seen wearing gauze masks over their nose and mouth and that Dr. Dowling agrees that this is a good practice. • City will accept cots and single mattresses, as well as volunteers willing to work under the supervision of trained nurses to assist influenza patients.• Dr. Dowling issued instructions to those assisting influenza patients: “Wear masks made of cloth or gauze. All linens or other articles soiled by discharges from the patient should be sterilized by boiling or chemicals before they are carried from the room. The rooms should be kept well ventilated and visitors should not be allowed to enter them.”Newspaper article