Gov. Holt Residence,
Haw River, Emergency Hospital
It was a capital idea to turn the Gov. Holt residence at Haw
River into an emergency hospital. The residence contains about a dozen large,
well ventilated rooms, equipped with all modern conveniences. It stands well
back and can be kept perfectly quiet. There was being treated about 30 cases of
influenza there at last accounts, and it is noted that the disease is now under
fairly good control there. Ten days ago the situation there was alarming. This
splendid property belongs to Mr. Finley L. Williamson, one of the owners of the
Holt-Granite Mills at that place. He personally helped to fight the epidemic
until stricken himself and then authorized his bank account to be drawn on up
to $5,000 to combat the malady.
Burlington Graded School Emergency Hospital
The City of Burlington when it closed its Graded School on
account of the epidemic of influenza converted its splendidly equipped Graded
School building into an emergency hospital. They have the situation under good
control now and there is a very appreciable decrease in the number of cases
reported daily.
Emergency Hospital at
Presbyterian Manse, Sunday School, Graham
The rapid increase of influenza in Graham last week called
for extraordinary measures to care for the sick. Recognizing the necessity of
immediate action, a meeting of Red Cross workers was called Saturday morning to
lay plans for action. Without delay it was decided to open an emergency
hospital, secure competent nurses and arrange to supply nourishment best suited
to the needs of the sick.
A suitable building for a hospital was the first matter to
be settled. The Presbyterian manse was found to be available, as Dr. McConnell
had just packed up his household effects preparatory to going to Florida. It
was cleared at once and thoroughly cleaned and aired. Cots, beds and bedding
were arranged for and these were put in Sunday. Before the day was over
arrangements were made to accommodate a dozen or more patients and some were
moved in. The manse was apparently inadequate owing to the increase in cases,
and Monday it was arranged to use the Sunday School class rooms at the
Presbyterian church in connection with the manse. This arrangement was better
still as the church is supplied with heat, water, a kitchenette and other
conveniences, making it ideal for the purpose.
In the meantime a nurse of experience had been secured
through the good offices of the State Board of Health to help in the
organization. She came, but found matters in such excellent shape that her
services were not further required after a stay of a couple of days. Two
graduate nurses are now in charge, aided by volunteer nurses. An expert passed
this way the first of the week and gave the arrangement here unstinted praise.
Up to today, 32 patients have been received. Some have been
very sick. A few are still quite sick, but it is believed all will safely
recover. The doctors frankly and openly say that the prompt action has saved
several lives.
Women and men, many of them have generously aided in
personal service and with money to supply everything needed, and what they have
done is worthy of the highest appreciation.
While everyone deserves special mention, the services of
Miss Irma Coble, County Demonstrator, has been such that hit should not go
unmentioned. Before the hospital was established, she converted her room in the
court house into a kitchen and was preparing dainty and palatable soups which
were carried to the homes of the sick. She is in charge of the food preparation
at the hospital and many of the sick outside are being served from the hospital
kitchen.
No community effort could have been more generously approved
than the Emergency Hospital, and none could have rendered a more needed
service.
Influenza in Graham
A week ago today there was reported 77 cases of influenza in
Graham. For the four or five days following, it spread rapidly and the number
must have approximated 200. The crest seems to have passed as only about a half
a dozen new cases have been heard of in the past 24 hours. There have been two
deaths form cases originating here. It is to be hoped that the worst is passed.
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