HEALTH COMMISSIONER WARNS OF CHOLERA, TYPHUS & PLAGUE
New York City (JFK+50) On April 13, 1920, New York Health Commissioner Royal S. Copeland* warned the public that the continued threat to New York City's food supply could lead to outbreaks of cholera, typhus and bubonic plague.
The commissioner said that starvation would make people more susceptible to disease. The threat to the food supply was a direct result of the continued railroad strike.
Commissioner Copeland received a good deal of positive press coverage for his efforts to calm the public during the Flu Epidemic of 1918.**
The commissioner said that starvation would make people more susceptible to disease. The threat to the food supply was a direct result of the continued railroad strike.
Commissioner Copeland received a good deal of positive press coverage for his efforts to calm the public during the Flu Epidemic of 1918.**
*Royal Samuel Copeland (1868-1938) was born in Dexter, Michigan & graduated with a medical degree from the University of Michigan. RSC served as professor of Ophthalmology & Otology at the UM Medical School (1895-1908). He was mayor of Ann Arbor (1901-1903) & US Senator (D-NY, 1923-1938).
**Flu Epidemic of 1918 (a.k.a. Spanish Flu Epidemic) 1918-1920 infected 500 million people worldwide with deaths estimated to be between 25 & 39 million. This epidemic was particularly deadly for young adults.
SOURCES
"Doctor In the Senate: Royal S. Copeland of New York," FOCUS, April 13, 2020, www.knoxfocus.com/
"Today-100: April 13, 1920: of plague, overalls, and metros," www.whateveritisimagainstit.blogspot.com/
Dr. Royal S. Copeland
Bain News Service (1920)
Library of Congress Photo
