THE MALADY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1804, 17 July 1913, Page 8

THE MALADY.

CITY INOCULATIONS GO ON. , "RED RIBBON" VOGUE. DEPARTMENT'S ACTIVITY. REPORTS FROM NORTH. There was no slackening yesterday in the rush of Wellington citizens to be vaccinated. If matters continue on this line, there will soon bo only 'a small proportion of unvaccinated persons in the community; Vaccination has certainly become "fashionable." The public has had a thorough awakening to the dangers attending their neglect of a well-known precaution against dis?ase, an awakening which Dr. Valintine admits he has been unable to effect by means of his annual 'reports to Parliament during the last fewyears. The staff at. the Government Laboratory is still working under pressure. Testerday Dr. Valintine paid a tribute to the work of Mr. Hurley, the Government Biologist, and his assistants, whose efforts during a trying period have reflected oil themselves the greatest credit. Great quantities of fresh lymph are being turned out, daily, and dispatched to all parts of the Dominion. A further supply of 10,000 tubes was sent to Auckland yesterday, and the Maori took a big consignment last evening for distribution in the South Island. Each hospital board in the Dominion is to receive a parcel of 100 tubes, in addition to what it already has in stock, to hold in case of emergency. The District Health Officer of Auckland (Dr. Makgill), who is conferring with the authorities in Australia, has cabled to Dr. Yalintino from Sydney, to the effect that the epidemic there is identical with that in the northern province of New Zealand. Dr. Makgill will proceed to Melbourne to consult Dr. Conipton, Director of Quarantine for the Commonwealth. As it is now almost exactly a week since the general demand for vaccination commenced in Wellington, there are many iii the city who are to-day experiencing the full effects of their inoculation, and "sore arm'A is beginning to be a common complaint. Yesterday several women were seen on Lanibton Quay wearing oil their left arms a- neatly-tied red ribbon, which warned the careless pedestrian to "keep off." At least one mail had on his coat-sleeve a big cross of red; telling the same story of hygienic martyrdom. There should lie a brisk sale for "vaccination badges" for wide-awake tradesmen. The inspection of the city is proceeding, especial attention being given to thoso accommodation houses where Maoris most do congregate.

; DR. VALINTINE'S SUMMARY. I Dr. Valintine (Chief Health Officer), in a statement last evening regarding tho t epidemic, said that there were 27 patients r in the Pt. Chevalier Hospital at Auckland, 25 being Natives. 1 Some twenty cases, he said, were now under treatment in various parts of the Auckland district,, principally Maungatautari, Kaikohe, 0110rehanga, and To Awamutu. Three fresh cases Jiad been reported from Taupiri (Waikato), and there was one case under observation near Hastings. Four deaths had occurred to date, the last being one which occurred yesterday at Pnrawera, near Te Awamutu. Dr. Gnnn was working in that neighbourhood. Dr. Ross was proceeding to Whatawhata (whore a case had been reported) en routo to Raglan, where other cases had been reported. Dr. Valintiuo states that some 10,000 doses of lymph were sent lo Auckland yesterday, and that GOOO were sent to otner parts of the Dominion. There is still a big .demand for vaccine. ON THE SYDNEY BOAT. Before the Huddart-Parker steamer Ulimaroa left Sydney for Wellington this trip, intending passengers were obliged to present a. certificate showing that they ,had been vaccinated. No visitors were allowed on board prior to the Ulimaroa's departure. On arrival at Wellington yesterday, six passengers 'had to be re-vac-cinated, tile remainder having success- ' fully passed the Port Health Officer. 011 arrival at Sydney from Wellington last trip, most of tho crew of the Ulimaroa were subjected to re-vaccination, although they liad previously been treated at Wellington before tho vessel left. MORMON COLLEGE. REAL CASE AT BRIDGE PA. Hastings, July IG. Dr. Barcroft visited the Mormon Maori College at Bridge Pa • this morning, and .found ono definite case and one doubtful. Both patients have been quarantined, and ste\is are to be taken to prevent the spread of the cpidemic. The youth who brought the disease to the college came last Friday from Kaikohe, north of Auckland. It was reported this morning that two emfes had brt?n detected at Pakipaki Pa, siv miles from Hastings, but the health authorities have not been notified, and tho probability is that the cases have been confused with those at tho Bridcfc Pa. / MAORIS ANGERED. HITCH IN LYMPH SUPPLY. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Marton, July 15. The Natives in the Rangitikei district are taking the prohibitory laws as to travelling on the railway well. A small contingent, who were blocked at Marton Junction yesterday, went up tho town to be vaocinated, but, owing to the absence of lymph, the operation could not be performed. With language more forcible than polite they secured a motorcar and travelled, to Wanganui, where, it is understood, they were vaccinated. It is rather a peculiar circumstance, but it is nevertheless true, that contingents of Maoris have been sent by rail by tho Health Department to both Wanganui and Wellington- _ to bo vaccinated, owing to the non-arrival of lymph at Marton. Supplies have passed through Marton to both Auckland and Wanganui, but the Health Department at Wellington never, apparently, considered the necessity of having a few tubes at Marton Junction, hence the necessity of sending many Maoris bv rail to follow tho lymph, despite the prohibitory law.

ON LIMESTONE ISLAND. LYMPH SENT UP FOB MAORIS. Whanflarei, July 1(1. 'There are eight cases of alleged smallpox in. the Whangarei Hospital. A wellknown resident, carrying on business in Cameron Street, has contracted the disease. and is now an inmate in the hospital. A rumour went round to-day that the case was definitely one of smallpox, 'but Dr. Frazfrr Hurst says that the caso is the same as all tlie others, and, in his opinion, is not smallpox. He fully believed that the cases were similar to those in Svdney. but could not call one of those he had Seen smallpox. There was absolutely no need for alarm. The position was no more serious here than it was six weeks ago. At the same time lie considered that.all tliosV> who had not been vaccinated should submit to the operation now. Tt would prevent peisons from getting smallpox, if there were any about. A Murri was brought into the hospital yesterday from Limc'toni? Tsland. suffering from some maladv. and two other Natives of Limestone tsland—a man and a woman—who contracted the disease, were isolated, and are now convalescent. Quite n large number of Maoris have nsTniMcil at llv l island from the surrounding district. They were addressed bv Mr. Pilzgibbons, of tbe Cement Company, and have all been persuaded to undergo vaccination. A sunnly of lymph is being sent direct to Mr. Pitzgibbon, and as soon as til is arrives a ntrdical man will go down and operate. ISOLATION LIST. Auckland, July 10. The outlook in conncction with the outbreak nf disease amongst the Maoris is improving. According to a statement made l>.v the District: Health Officer, no fresh Maori cases b.nd been rcnorted in th« city, but one case—that of a male

Native—bad been discovered in the suburbs. The patient had been in contact with other cases, and was removed to tlio isolation hospital. The number of patients now isolated at Point Chev.Mier is 27. A few cases of pustular disease outside tho city and suburbs were reported to tho District Health Office, but turned out to be certainly chickcnpox. MAORI CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS. BOARD'S RESOLUTIONS. 'By Telegraph.—Prow Association.) Wanganui, July 10. Vaccination is going on to a considerable extent here, special attention being paid to Maoris. l'he Education Hoard I,his evening took the matter up serious, ly. The chief inspector's report called attention to unclcauliness in a Nativo family attending one of the schools, and it became a question (said the report) whether the homes of all Native children in attendance at schools should not bo periodically inspected by a, health officer. Tho board passed the following resolution: That the Education Department be informed that the board intends to tabu steps to refuse to admit Maori children to schools in its district unless satisfied by the Health Department, or otherwise, that such children came in a healthy state. The chairman said he would not dream of drawing the "colour line," bet he considered that the prevailing epidemic came from the Maoris, and was contracted by children at school. Maoris (unlike Europeans) would not go to a doctor when , affected. The board also resolved that teachers be informed that Maoris, or children living with Maoris, be vaccinated, or prevented from attending school until vaccinated. DOCTOR'S OPINION QUESTIONED. Auckland, July 1(1. In regard to a statement by Dr. Good, of Wliangarei, that fully 300 Natives were affected by the disease in the north, and that a percentage of the cases wero certainly smallr)ox, the Distract Health Officer stated "that it did not appear that Dr. Good had had an opportunity of going through the districts said to be infected. Therefore the report of tho doctor who wa3 specially sent by the Health Department to these districts must bo taken as final. The doctor in question reported that the statements in regard to infection in the north had l>een very much exaggerated. DEATHS AT KAWA KAWA. Auckland, July 10. It was reported by telegraph yesterday that four deaths had taken place among Natives in settlements round about Kawa Kawa, whore there has been an outbreak of disease. It has not yet been made clear whether these Natives died from the prevailing pustular disease or soma other complaint. Tho District Hoaltli Office has not yet received word on this point, but Dr. Lunn, of Kataia (acting at the instance of the Health Department), is visiting the settlements, which aro widely scattered, and his report will probably soon be forthcoming. MORE LYMPH! Auckland, July 16. There is still an unsatisfied demand for vaccine by local doctors. Lymph sufficient to inoculate 3000 people arrived by the Main Trunk express to-day, and was distributed to applicants. A 1 further supply of lymph, sufficient to • inoculate 9000 persons,-will arrive by the express tomorrow morning. —l ■CASE AT THAMES. Thames, July IG. No fresh cases of smallpox have been reported at Thames. The case in the hospital is pronouinced to be smallpox in a mild form. So far none of tho contacts have developed symptoms. Maoris and half-castes have boen barred from travelling bv railways and vehicles, but are allowed to attend entertainments. Thero has been a rush to be' vaccinated, but the supply of lymph, is limited. The Native Land Court has adjourned sin» die. ONLY SKIN, DISEASE. Dannevirke, July 10. The suspected case of smallpox at a Maori pa seven miles from Norsewood has been definitely diagnosed as a bad case of skin disease. OTAGO REPORTS. "NOTHING TO CAUSE ALARM." (By Tcl«rM>b.—Pr«£» Dunedin, July IG. Dr. Champtaloup states (hat plenty of vaccine lymph is now available in »Dunedin. So far, nothing has come to his knowledge concerning tlto Otago district to causp the slightest alarm. Several cases of chicken-pox have come under the notice of tho looal health authorities, but there is nothing in these outbreaks to warrant uneasiness. Dr. Schools' Medical officer, who is assisting 'the Health Department, Ls paying particular attention to this disease, and is visitingthe schools to see that necessary precautions are taken. CONSTERNATION IN MELBOURNE. OUTBREAK' ON "CLEAN" STEAMER FROM SYDNEY. ■By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright July IG. Consternation prevails over tho discovery that a second-class lady passenger on the steamer Karoola is sufforing from smallpox. The Karoola., arrived from Sydney with 323 passengers on Monday, and was granted* a. clean bill of health. She has been- lying out in tho river sinco then. All tho .passengers had been vaccinated prior to the vessel's departure from Sydney, and the bulk of these left on arrival at Melbourne, only tlioso for Adelaide and West Australia remaining on board. The patient, after visiting friends in tho city, returned on board, and discovering suspicious symptoms last evening, visited the ship's doctor, who diagnosed smallpox. Tho Karoola, with 230 people on board, this number including the 132 remaining pnssengers of the Sydney complement, was immediately taken into quarantine. Tho authorities aro making urgent efforts to collect the other passengers, who aro by this time distributed throughout the city and elsewhere. " 1

CASES BEYOND SYDNEY. (Rec. July 16, 0.30 p.m.) Sydney, July 16. A. largo number of the delegates to rho Farmers' and Settlers' Conference were vaccinated as a precaution against infection from smallpox. Since the outbreak of the epidemicthero have been 258 cases of smallpox, and 110,000 vaccinations. The epidemic appears to be getting a hold in tlio outside districts beyond the city. One caso was discovered at Farramatta to-day, and another at Armidale, the latter being a child who had recently come from Sydney. NINETEEN NEW CASES. . (Kec. July 17, 1 a.m) Sydney, July 16. Nineteen fresh cases of smallpox were discovered to-day. These are mostly from the suburbs of Sydney, and include three or four new districts. THE SYDNEY EPIDEMIC. IS IT IDENTICAL WITH THAT IN NEW ZEALAND? Sydney, July 10. Although Dr. Makgiil, of the New Zealand Health Department, has declined to state his conclusions, the "Daily Telegraph" says that there is good ground for the belief that he is satisfied that the New Zealand outbreak is ono of smallpox, and identical with the Sydney epidemic, ' =====