SMALLPOX SCARE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1770, 7 June 1913, Page 4

SMALLPOX SCARE.

A RUSH FOR VACCINATION. (By Teloffraph.—Proea Association.) Auckland, Juno 6. Tho question as to whether tho half, casto Maori, James Rukutai, of Onehunga,' who ig isolated at Point Chevalier, i 6 sut< fering from chickenpox or smallpox stillremains undecided. Monday next will ba the twelfth day of his sickness, and it willthen bo possible for the doctors to definitely stato whether lie is suffering from, smallpox or chickenpox. Dr. Monk, of. the Health Department, stated that tho patient's condition showed considerableimprovement, and that there wcro no further developments that would definitely, decide the nature of tho disease. Dr. Monk also stated that it was reported to him that somo Maoris located about a mile from Mangero Bridge were suffering from a disease which appeared to bo either chickenpox or smallpox. On inspecting them, he was satisfied beyond all. doubt that tho cases wcro chickenpox, and ho isolated tho patients (thrco Maori families) in their homes. Doctor Monk stated that no connection could be traced bo-, tween these cases and that of Rukutai. Asked whether Rukutai had ever beenvaccinated, tho doctor replied in tho negative. A large number of people aro taking precautions against smallpox, and several doctors are being kept busy vaccinating In order to cope with tho number wishing to bo vaccinated, 1200 tubes of lymph wcro sent to Auckland from Wellington for use by the doctors engaged in tho work,