BYBEE-MALOTT : THE FLOOD OF 1918 



201 



which the water had ranged. Free disinfection was given in all parts of the 

 city and everyone was compelled to clean cellars subject to the approval of 

 the Health Department before they might return to their homes. In ad- 

 dition, free typhoid immunization was offered and taken advantage of. Con- 

 sequently there was reported during the month of April, only one contagious 

 disease, namely scarlatina, and that could in no way be attributed to the flood. 

 As to the general state of health following the flood, my inquiries among the 

 phj^sicians lead me to believe that in the city there was little or no effect. 

 Typhoid has been a minus quantity with us this year and the consensus of 

 of opinion among all is that the most that could possibly be attributed to the 

 flood in this vicinity only includes a few attacks of tonsilitis with the conse- 

 quent rheumatism. Across the river from the city have occurred two cases 

 of diphtheria that might possibly be connected with it. 



Any further information that I may be able to give will be tendered very 

 willingly if you will only let me know. 



Yours most sincerely, 



H. H. Thompson, M.D. 



Shoals, Indiana, Nov. 29, 1913. 



Dear Sir: 



In reply to your inquiry I beg to say that there was not as much sickness 

 following the last spring flood as was usual in this community in previous 

 years. I am unable to account for the unusual healthful condition that pre- 

 vailed here all summer in comparision to other years. 



Respectfully j^ours, 



Chas. E. Stone, 

 County Health Commissioner. 



Indianapolis, Indiana, Dec. 5, 1913. 



Dear Sir: 



There has been less sickness in the flood district during the last year 

 than at any time for several years. 



Diphtheria, scarlet fever and other infectious diseases have been fewer 

 this year than for the past two years. During the fall months, t\phoid fever, 

 the disease which you would naturally expect to make its appearance as a 

 result of the unsanitary conditions left by the flood, is not as prevalent in 

 that district as in other parts of the cit3\ If fact, all sickness shows a lower 

 rate in that part of the citj^ than during the previous two years. This may 

 be attributed to the fact that a concentrated effort was made to clean thorough- 

 ly the flooded district and leave it in as perfect sanitary condition as possible. 



When we finished the work, I made the remark that West Indianapolis 

 was in a better condition than it wag before the flood. I believe that the 

 statistics on disease in that district would bear this out. 



Yours very truh', 



H. G. :Morgan, 



(Health Officer.) 



