CONTAINING INFORMATION OF THE CURRENT PREVALENCE IN THE UNITED STATES. The prevalence of influenza as reported to the bureau may be found under the heading "Current State Summaries," page 11 of this issue of the Public Health Reports. These reports are furnished by State health officers and are for the week ended December 28, 1918. As compared with the preceding week, the number of cases of influenza reported had decreased in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. Slight increases in the number of cases reported are shown in Maine and Vermont. In New York the disease is said to be still prevalent throughout the State, and considerable recrudescence is reported from Utah, but the type of the disease is said to be less severe than during the height of the epidemic. The following table shows the number of cases of influenza reported in the zones surrounding military camps in the United States from September 15 to December 28, 1918, inclusive. The cases reported from September 15 to October 26, 1918, are shown by weeks in the Public Health Reports, volume 33, No. 49, December 6, 1918, pages REPORT OF ANTIVENEREAL CAMPAIGN. An important health activity is being carried on under the so-called Chamberlain-Kahn Act, which provides for a system of Federal aid for antivenereal work in States meeting certain conditions. All the States in the Union have complied with its provisions by passing the necessary laws except Idaho, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and the District of Columbia. Several of these States have signified their intention of cooperation. in the near future. In conjunction with State boards of health, the Division of Venereal Disease, United States Public Health Service, created by this act, is conducting approximately 125 clinics. The reports from the clinics show increase in number of cases treated and in interest each month, so that additional clinics and facilities are needed. When any clinic proves the advantage of a certain plan of procedure, a note concerning such plan is passed on to other clinics for trial and suggestions. In conjunction with the Red Cross in extra-cantonment zones, the division is now conducting 25 clinics. Social service and follow-up. |