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Show DR. BEATTY MAKES PLAIN HIS POSITION ON MASK QUESTION The- following statement, explaining why masking is not considered an efficacious ef-ficacious method of combating Influenza Influ-enza and further explaining why it was not adopted as a state-wide measure, was issued last night by Pr. T. H. Leat-ty, Leat-ty, secretary of the slute board of health: t "The state hoard of health did not adopt the compulsory use of the mask as state-wide measure because In the opinion of the board such action was not deemed advisable. "The question was considered early in the outbreak and it was learned that even if the merits of the measure justified justi-fied its adoption, there was not enough mask material in the state to meet the immediate requirements, to say nothing of the constant need that would arise for their renewal. Before this shortage could be remedied an opportunity was about to be afforded to tost the efficacy of the method, as San Francisco and two or three other cities in California at that particular time adopted it, and the results re-sults of their experience wotdd soon be .available. "In the meantime. Inquiry disclosed the fact that in no state or city in the country coun-try where the disease had been combated com-bated was t lie compulsory use of the mak adopted or approved, with the exception ex-ception of the cities ' mentioned in California. Cali-fornia. "The same was also true of the T'nited States army cantonments and the United States public health service. '"This unanimity of opinion was based on the belief that tho measure was impractical, im-practical, that the proper use and necessary neces-sary sterilization of the masks could not be enforced, and that more harm than good might arise. "Kven if used Intelligently, the value of the mask has been considered only relative and not such as to Justify the w eakening of the efforts of the health authorities to emphasize and enforce the real and vital measures for the control of the disease, which consist? in the immediate im-mediate report and ouarantine of all cases and 1 lie prohibition of public assemblies, as-semblies, schools and other opportunities for the mfnslinLr of people. "These measures, toother with the use of the mask in the sickroom. h:id been ordered by the state board of health, and are those which have been universally adopted in this country, and ha ve i e suited suit-ed in the control of the epidemic wherever wher-ever conscientiously carried out. Reports from California, as to tiie results in tlio cities a bnve mentioned compared with these which have not required masking are conflicting, but t he state board of healt h of California is authority for the statement in a telegram that there has been nothing to sustain the contention t hat the results have been more favorable favor-able in San Fraraipto and Oakland, where maks wore used, than in other cities of tire st.it e. The latest records of tiie federal rensus bureau, dated last week, show that the nmrta-htv in San Francisco has been 4.4 r.er leO population popula-tion and in Oakland S.S. On the same date the report shows fiat in Los An-i:e;es. An-i:e;es. which did not require ma-kini.-, the mortality had been 2.7. In manv ritts in tho T'nited States even Imver deaths were recorded. Arr.c-r.c them -were St. louis. 1.7 per 1-vVi; fineinnatl. 2.''.: Seattle. ."; Columbus, l.D; Ir.liiai.f,poh 1.7. and Cleveland, ih. "While in the opinion of the state h"ard of health t re measures oricinlly ndopteri bv it if enp rce I hv tee ln.'ai authorities au-thorities are tho most elective for the cintrol of the influenza epidemic, local authorities have the authority to require compulsory use of maakd if they so desired." |