Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 272, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1918 — BIG CAMPAIGN AGAINST FEAR [ARTICLE]

BIG CAMPAIGN AGAINST FEAR

COURSE IN COMMON SENSE IS URGED TO COMBAT INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC. Des Moines, lowa, Oct 28.— -A. course in common sense and the basic ideas of Christian faience, and an editorial policy for newspapers directed against fear, was urged at a meeting here recently of a committee of business and professional men which 'have virtually been in charge, of the city during the so-called influenza epidemic. Dr. W. C. Witte, city sanitarian, is charman of the committee. The membership includes James R. Hanna, former mayor; K. C. Thornburg, superintendent of schools; C. L. Herring, of the Greater Des Moines committee; Marshall Miller, president of the Trades and Labor assembly; Ralph Faxon, secretary of the chamber of commerce; Charles Sawerude, druggist, and Dr. Granville, Ryan, R. D. Baker and Thomas F. Duhigg. Thfe city has been under rigid quarantine for a minimum period of two weeks, all' schools, colleges, churches, theatres and amusement places (having been closed to prevent further spread of the alleged epidemic. The fact that soldiers and officers at Camp Dodge who are Christian Scientists have not been affected by the epidemic, was. called, to the comfmittee’s attention at the meeting by Mr. Miller. “There is no question,” said Dr. Witte, “that by a right attitude of mind these people have kept themselves from illness. I have no doubt that many persons have contracted the disease through fear.

“People can deceive themselves into thinking they have any disease on the calendar, and doubtless many of them have thought themselves into their graves.” ■ ' , / A recommendation that newspapers prepare editorials citing the-hmnunity which Christian Scientists enjoy from influenza, and urging'the use of common sense and a calm attitude of mind in conquering fear of infection was made by W. H. Byers, corporation counsel for the city. The recommendation was endorsed by the committee as a whole; and newspapers were asked to quote the committee to that effect.

“Entirely too much publicity has been given to supposed symptoms of the so-caHed Spanish influenza,” was Mr. Byers further comment, “and I would recommend that if anything be printed in regard to the disease it be confined to simple preventative measures —something constructive, rather than destructive.” “Fear is the first thing to be overcome, the first step in conquering this ‘epidemic,” said Dr. Witte. “I am dbt a Christian Scientist, but I believe en application of their principles will mar terially aid in preserving the health of this community. They did not originate with the Scientists, but are to be found by anyone who will take the trouble to read his bible. “In my work in infected communities, I have always found Scientists the first to comply with fundamenta suggestion of sanitary conditions, am the first t ©comply with fundamental health Salt Lake Herald.