The St. Johns Herald

Epidemics of Disease Hits Western Cities Hard Raps

According to press dispatches more than a score of deaths and thousands of cases of illness were reported Monday from widely separated cities of the west where epidemics of influenza, spinal meningitis and scarlet fever have appeared.

The present prevalence of influenza follows a severe outbreak of the disease in San Francisco, where 55 deaths occurred during October and the early part of November. Nearly 4,000 persons there were ill of influenza during that period, but Dr. William C. Hassler city health officer, said the situation had improved greatly because of heavy rains and widespread warnings.

The situation seemed to be serious in Los Angeles, where 14 influenza deaths have occurred during the last week. Four hundred new cases of the disease were reported during the day, including the illness of Clara Bow, the motion picture star, and it was estimated that more than 1,400 persons in Los Angeles were suffering from the epidemic. The epidemic was described by health authorities as 'comparatively severe' but it was expected the spread of the disease would be checked within a week.

At Twin Falls, Ida., public gatherings were prohibited as a means of curbing an epidemic of spinal meningitis which has claimed six lives and afflicted seven other persons. Schools were dismissed for an indefinite period, churches and theaters were told to suspend meetings and performances.

A thousand cases of influenza were reported from cities of Utah and Idaho and schools at Fairview, Utah, were closed because of an outbreak of scarlet fever.

Four deaths at El Paso, Texas, last week were ascribed to influenza or kindred diseases and many children were kept from the schools.

Monrovia, Calif., Nov. 26.—Five grade schools and Monrovia high school were ordered closed today until Monday when 18 per cent of the students were reported suffering from influenza.