THE SMALLPOX SCARE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1799, 11 July 1913, Page 5

THE SMALLPOX SCARE.

STRICT MEASURES CRITICISED,

PROTESTS IN FEDERAL HOUSE. By Telegraph—PrcES Association—Copyright Sydney, July 10. Among the smallpox precautions nro Uio followingNo visitors aro allowed aboard steamers, and all the headquarters stall of tlio permanent soldiers have to bo vaccinated. There aro two suspected cases at Tarec, 170 miles l'rom Sydney. In tlio Federal House of Representatives protests were mado against proclaiming such a largo area round Sydney and against compulsory vaccination. Somo of tho other methods adopted woxo considered to bo too stringent and largely unnecessary. The Minister for Customs replied that steps iiad been taken, pn tlio advico of tho responsible doctors, and tho wholo action had been based on tlio ground of protecting tho people. Tho authorities had not acted in a scare manner, and he toot full responsibility. TRAIN PASSENGERS HELD UP.. (Rcc. July 10, 10.20 p.m.) •" Melbourne, July' io. Train passengerß arriving at Albury from Sydney will in future bo requested to produce vaccination certificates, and if not oblo to do so, they will bo refused admission ,to Victoria. WOOL SALES POSTPONED. (Rec. July 10, 10.20 p.m.) Brisbane, Jnly 10. The wool sales set down for July 19 have been postponed owing to tho outbreak of smallpox in Sydney, about 120 Sydney buyers who had intended to como here, being prevented from leaving. LYMPH FARMS BUSY. FOUR THOUSAND TUBES DAILY, (Rec. July 10, 9.30 p.m.) Sydney, July 10. Two out of three suspected cases in the country towns have been proved to bo not smallpox. There is also somo doubt regarding tho Tarco case. A daily supply of four thousand tube: of lymph is coming from tho Federal lymph farm in Melbourne. The New South Wales Government has dceided tc establish a State lymph farm near Sydney, and ten depots in the city and suburbs, for vaccinating gratis. Tho inter-State shipping traffic has been much reduced, owing to tho companies demanding all passengers to produce 'certificates of successful vaccination. A popular vessel sailing to-morrow has booked twelve passengers only, instead of the usual three hundred. A deputation representing tho medical faculty, oommerce, and shipping, waited upon Mr. Holman (tho State Premier), urging the introduction of compulsory vaccination; though they admitted that tho Government was doing everything possible, so far as temporary measures were concerned. Mr. Holman received tho representations of tho deputation, favourably, but expressed hunsolf as being entirely against panicky legislation. After consultation with responsible officers of tho Department, ho would announce tlio Government's intentions with regard to the policy to bo adopted.

Vessels from new Zealand. (Rec. July 11, 1.10 p.m.) Sydney, July 10. Dr. Cuinpston, FederaJ. Director of Quarantine, states that although it has not been found necessary to declare tho infected portion of New Zealand a quarantine area, action has already been taken to provide for a thorough inspection of all vessels from New Zealand. - ■

TWENTY FRESH CASES. (Rcc. July 11, 1.10 a.m.) Sydney, July 10. Twenty fresh cases of smallpox have, been detected between last night and tonight, the total number of eases in quarantine being now 180, of which 05 are hospital patients,- 85 convalescents, and 81 "contacts." Over 40 convalescents and "contacts" have been released. There liave beeai 12,003 vaccinations in tlie metropolis to-day—a record. The 6ohool childrm, ill the infected area, are to be vaccinated, and, if the supply of lymph is maintained; vaccinations will be extended to other schools.