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OCTOBER 9, 1918
THE "FLU” EPIDEMIC
Several Thousand Cases of Dreaded Malady Reported in Gloucester
County Towns.
HEALTH OFFICERS ACT PROMPTLY
With the alarming spread of the disease, influenza, the past few days, the Health Authorities of the municipalities of Gloucester County have acted promptly in their efforts to stem the progress of the malady. The closing of all public places, including schools, churches and amusement houses, was a step in the right direction, and the hearty co-operation of citizens generally has made the task confronting the health authorities. easier. From reports at hand it is estimated that close to 4000 cases have been reported during the last ten days in this county. It is impossible to compile an accurate list of the deaths tracáble to the disease, but the rate is alarming. Physicians have been going day and night. A number of them not having any sleep for three or four days at a stretch. Thousands of cases are reported in Camden and Gloucester where temporary hospitals have been opened and scores of physicians and nurses have been called to aid in the work. On Saturday the Department of Health of the State of New Jersey addressed the following letter to the local Boards of Health of the State: INSTRUCTIONS TO LOCAL BOARDS OF HEALTH FOR THE RESTRICTION OF THE SPREAD OF INFLUENZA: .' To Local Boards of Health: 'Influenza is now epidemic in all sections of this state. The causative agent of this disease is contained in the excretions of the throats and noses of persons who are suffering from or who are carriers of the infection. The congregation of people in crowds increases the liability of the exchange of these secretions.
In order to restrict the further spread of influenza, local boards of health are hereby instructed, under authority contained in Chapter 288 of the Laws of 1915:  
1. To prevent, as far as practicable, all public gatherings during the duration of this epidemic of influenza, and for this purpose to order closed all churches, moving picture houses, dance halls, pool rooms, lodge rooms, saloons, goda fountains and other places where numbers of people' congregate. .
2. To advise the Board of Education to close schools whenever, in the judgment of the local board of health, the prevalence of the disease in the locality makes this procedure advisable. 
3. To advise the public to avoid un-) necessary travel in public conveyances and
refrain from social activities which