EPIDEMIC PRECAUTIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 56, 14 March 1944, Page 5

EPIDEMIC PRECAUTIONS

AN IMPRESSIVE LECTURE

FILMS INSTRUCT E.P.S

A lecture accompanied by films which should'' to our minds be publicly -creened throughout tlie length and breadth of New Zealand, in; place of some of the insipid 'tripe' which is shown for public entertainment in our picture theatres was the absorbing theme of the programme sitaged in the Parish Hall, Whakatane, by Major G. Rowland Hutchinson, Deputy Regional Commissioner for the Northern Military District. Dedicated on the main to the members of the E.P.S. the gathering was well attended by V.A.DAs and members of the public at large. In view of the limited notice of Major Hutchinson's visit the attendance of sixty was considered most satisfactory . Major liutchinsoni who was introduced by Mr A. J. Canning explained the urgent need for organising against the very real possibility of an epidemic. This responsibility he said had been delegated to the E.P.S., the efficiency of Aviiich body he said rested on the local bodies in the various districts. With the passing of the war threat, he said, it had beeni decided to concentrate upon the aspect of public hygiene, along as nearly as possible —Army lines. Epidemic Will Come You people may say to youran epidemic will not happen here. I tell you you are mistaken. It will come and we must be prepared to meet it. In New Zealand May is the danger period!, and if it does not occur then October or November. I want you to remember those dates for if they coincide with the return of a large body of men from overseas, we will then have all the prospects of a dangerous! 'flu epidemic." In this manner Mafjor Hptchinson warn<ed his audience.

He urged the E.P.S. to get thoroughly organised, not merely to safeguard against an epidemic, but against other emergencies or disasters such, as earthquakes, forest lires, tidal waves or lloods. It was always within the: lirst few hours of a disaster that the main casualties occurred and in order to offset this it was necessary to he prepared for instant action. '

New Zealand was closer to a war area than she had ever been before and lor that, reason there was a real danger of malaria or even typhus. These, epidemics were not expected to happen owing to, the remoteness of this country but during Avar periods it was the unexpected which did happen'and therefore it behoved us to be prepared. How Disease is Spread l Major Hutchinson screened some most instructive films dealing with pneumonia and tuberculosis, showing how a person could become infected through dust, through, contact and through carelessness. The actual growth and development of the germ in the human, lung was an astounding pieec of photography. Life Story of the Housefly Perhaps the most arresting was a candid film depicting the fife story of the common housefly—the greatest carrier of disease, known to .science. From its breeding grounds the little scavanger was traced to its full growth—a mere matter of 8 days, and as each female lavs approximately 200 eggs it needed only small calculation to, arrive at the tremendous disease potential from this source. Highly magnified the very footprints of the housefly were seen to be reeking with germ growth accumulated from every spot of garbage and filth which the fly visited. In turn these germs spread and multiplied before the audience to an astounding degree.

The work o.i' tli-e human nervous system was next, portrayed when the audience enjoyed the sight of the telegraph messages being despatched along the nerve channels. This with the film showing the work of the human kidneys was one of the most amazing portrayals of the functioning of the body imaginable ami bore out the saying, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Major.-Hutchinson was accorded a lioarty vote of thanks by acclamation at the conclusion of his address. ••