THE SCOURGE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1810, 24 July 1913, Page 8

THE SCOURGE.

DOCTORS SURER OF SMALLPOX. TEN DEATHS, SYDNEY OUTBREAK & OURS IDENTICAL. ONE GRAVE REPORT. DR. BUCK'S DISCOVERY UP NORTH. Reports from tho various districts indicate that medical men are surer of th.e disease now, especially in tho north. This is apparent from tho testimony of doctors alluded to in the daily official bulletin. It seems also that tho disease is identical with that prevalent in Sydney. To date the number of deaths in New Zealand is ten. Dr. Valintine's bulletin contains tho following:— "There are 49 patients in tho isolation hospital at Auckland, ten being Europeans. "Tho following telegram (abridged) has been received from Dr. T*> Rangi-

liiroa, M.P.: 'I made a house-to-house inspection of tho entire village of Otaua, even to the bush camps. I saw 57 cases of smallpox, totalling G9 cases with those seen with Dr. Cawkwell. All cases givo typical constitutional symptoms.' Thero is no doubt ro diagnosis. Threo deaths have occurred, one on Monday night, and all were adults. So far, in this part, the vaccinated people aro immune. The Maoris have noticed this and are anxious for vaccination. I . consider that every unuffected Maori must bo vaccinated.' "There liavo been ten deaths recorded from tho disease to date—all Natives. With the exception of a suspected case isolated at Kawhia, no further cases aro reported from other parts of tho Auckland province. "There is now an ample supply of lymph, and not less thon 20,000 inoculations will be forwarded to Auckland by the Main Trunk train to-morrow. "Dr. Makgill reports from Sydney that ho has seen a largo number of the isolated smallpox cases there, and is satisfied that the epidemic is identical in nature with that existing in the Auckland province. As is the case with the New Zealand epidemic, the majority of cases there aro young adults. Dr. Makgill further reports that it is well established that vaccination protects against the disease, and that thoso who havo recovered from tho disease are immune to vaccination. 'No one recently vaccinated —that is within five years' —Dr. Makgill adds, 'has contracted the disease, and those who are vaccinated during the incubation stage, up to perhaps eight days of tho appearance, take it in a mild form. . . . ,Tho measures in Sydney are almost entirely in the direction of vaccination. Already over 100,000 people havo been vaccinated. Contacts are vaccinated and kept under surveillance, but are not isolated as they wero at first.' "

MUST ONE VACCINATE? IF GOING SOUTH BY STEAMER. ■Judging by reports from Nelson, there appears to be some unrest there concerning unvaccinated passengers from Wei. liugton and other North Island ports.: Seen by a reporter yesterday, Messrs. Bannatyno and Co. (local agents for s.s. Nikau) stated that no passengers were granted a ticket unless they produced a certificate _ indicating successful vaccination. This was rigidly insisted upon. Messrs. Johnston and Co., who aro agents for vessels_ in the Wellington-Motueka and Wellington-Blenheim trades, also stated that they insisted on passengers producing certificates before they were granted passages by their vessels. Tho Union Company had. a different tale to tell, however. Although there are notices placed in prominent places round tho office, stating that "Passengers for tho South Island must produce certificates of successful vaccination before being allowed to land at their destination," it appears that tho rulo is not being enfprced. It was explained that as vaccination had not been made compulsory, the company could not insist that passengers must bo vaccinated. They could only warn them. Those who did not face the needle were told that tho Health authorities might not allow tliem to land at their destinations until they.had been treated. It nppcars, therefore, that unless Wellington—or for that matter tho North Island—is declared an infected area, tho question of being vaccinated is purely optional, «> far as passengers by tho Union Company's steamers for the South Island are concerned.

EFFECT ON TOURISTS. AND ON AUCKLAND EXHIBITION. Regrettably enough, two very important things may follow in tho wake of the epidemic if it continues. One is a serious diminution of the oversea tourist traffic to the North Island, and the other is that the whole thing may strike a blow at the success of tho Auckland Exhibition. "It is going to affect tourist traffic very seriously during the coming season, I'm afraid," said one gentleman interested in the question. "As you know, most ol' tho tourists who como from .Australia make tho thermal district of the north their first objective—Rotorua,' the thermal sights,/and the Maoris aro what chiefly interest holiday visitors tx> New Zealand. Hero wo are doing all wo can to restrict the liberty and privileges of Maoris because they seem to be more prone to take the disease than others, so we cannot but warn visitors not to visit thoso places with Maori populations. If tile disease is stamped out, say, in a month, the falling off may not be very .heavy, but if it is still with us in the spring, I am afraid it will be a big blow to our summer's tourist traffic."

"The Auckland Exhibition is almost bound to suiter, too, as they have had cases of the disease right in the city, and yesterday morning it was reported that half-a-dozen in one family had been stricken down at Mongers (just across the bridge from Onehunga). If that sort of, thing goes on, Auckland will get a bump. That is a very great pity, as the Exhibition opening is only four months away. 'I don't know what the Chief Health Officer will do, but a place must bo clear of. an infectious disease for so long before it can bo declared 'a 1 clean port.' The idea of opening an exhibition in a place which has not got that recommendation is, to say the least, risky."

HOW SMALLPOX FEELS. Yesterday a reporter had a talk with a man who had been through smallpox (and that in New Zealancl), and has the clearest recollections of it. ITc stated that, by far the worst time for the patient is tho first week. At that period tho "blood feels on fire," for the temperature is high, and thg virus is working. Tho symptoms are a pronounced backache and headache. The spots appear about the third or fourth day, and develop into the "real thing" about, the eighth or ninth day. When that happens the patient experiences some relief as far asaehes and pains are concerned, but a new torment takes their place. The skin becomes allame with itch, and one feels that one would give the world without regret for Ihe privilege of "having a scratch." It is the same form of itch which a patient experiences a week after vaccination, but "multiplied a million times." The tendency to roll about, or "do sonicthing" has then to be fought down as best tlie patient can. In many cases tlicv have to strap J.he arms of the patient to prevent him scratching or u-nng tometlung of the kind.

SYDNEY BOAT EXAMINED. The Union Company's steamer Moeraki arrived in tho stream at Wellington from Sydney at 1 p.m. yesterday, and was immediately boarded by the Port Health Officer. The whole of tho passengers and crew were carefully examined, and 13 of tho former and It of tho latter wero vaccinated. After about three hours the vessel was berthed at tho Queen's Wharf, and the passengers wero allowed to land. CITY, OF SORE ARMS. Most of the big drapery houses in the city have been visited by public vaccinators, and with few exceptions tho whole of the stalls liavo submitted themselves to tho needle. Tho staff of Kirkcaldie and Stains were vaccinated on Monday and Tuesday, the Economic staff and the employees of Voitcli and Allan wero attended to last week. Naturally enough, there have been a few absentees during the present week. STATE'S EYE ON THE MAORI. Replying in tho House of Representatives yesterday to a question by Dr. To ltangihiroa, the Hon. H. H. Rhodes made the following statement:—'"Tho Department is confident that the disease in question is largely confined to members of tho Native race. Hence, it has been considered necessary to adopt stringent precautions limiting their movements. Medical officers have been dispatched to the Wanganui River and to Taupo to vaccinato the Natives in the, various kaingas, and to seo that tho Proclamation limiting their movements is observed. Instructions have been given that Maoris aro not to bo allowed on. public conveyances unless they can produce certificates that they have been vaccinated, and have not been in contact with infected persons. Places in this city frequented by Maoris have been visited and tho Maoris vaccinated. Every inducement will be given to Maoris desirous of returning to their homes, and arrangements will bo made accordingly."

IN THE HOUSE. MATTERS AT TOICOMARU BAY. In the House of Representatives yesterday, Jlr. W. D. S. Macdbnald (Bay of Plenty) asked the Minister for Public Health ij-hether ho had arranged to 6end supplies of lymph to Gisborne, where a shortage was reported. Both Natives and Europeans, men, women, and children, had corno in to tho town, and been unable to get vaccinated. Native children in tho country districts had been prohibited from attending school, and this was being keenly resented by the Native population. Ho urged that tho Government should forward to the vaccinators of the district sufficient lymph to perform all tho vaccinations necessary. ■ Ho would ask tho Minister also whether ho had taken any precaution to prevent the landing of passengers at Tokomaru Bay. No provision seemed to have been made for inspection of passengers lauding there from Auckland, and the district had a Nativo population of over 4000. Ho thought that some precautionary measures should bo taken to protect tho Natives of this district.

• The Hon. A. T. Ngata (Eastern Maori) reported the case of a family of halfcastes who had landed at Tokomaru Bay recently, having lcift Auckland at tho period of the smallpox ecare. The family were all vaccinated a day or two before they left Auckland, in order to comply with tho requirements of tho Health Department that they 6hould be vaccinated before being allowed to travel. Afterwards, when they arrived at Tokomaru Bay, it was found that tho vaccinations had not proved successful. He understood that Natives before being allowed to travel had to show certificates of successful vaccination, but apparently this was jiot insisted upon, and it seemed to liiiu that adequate provision was not being made at Auckland to prevent tho infection, from reaching Tokomaru Bay. It was evident that certificates of 'successful vaccination were not being insisted upon, and there was imminent danger of the infection reaching not only Tokomaru Bay but also Gisborne and Napier, which were very largo Nativo districts.

Tho Hon. R. H. Rhodes said that a supply, of lymph had been forwarded to .Gisborne two days previously. Further supplies were 1 being sent, and probably there would be no further shortage in the Gisborne district. As lo supervision of vessels trading to Tokomaru Bay, instructions were given to all shipping companies that Natives were not to be allowed to travel by boats leaving Auckland unless they had a certificate of vaccination from the Public Health ' Officer or a public vaccinator. Natives .who had left Auckland, having been recently vaccinated, ho took it, had obtained these certificates. Successful vaccination was only insisted upon, however, in tho case of thoso in infected areas. In the case of Natives vaccinated in Auckland, which was not an infected area, it was not insisted that tho vaccination should have taken effect. Mr. Ngata: Is Auckland not an infected area P

The Minister: No. HEALTH OFFICER'S POWERS. There is no fixed rule with respect io quarantine and isolation as affecting residences, buildings, and . "contacts." Tho widest powers possible are given to the Chief Health Officer under the provisions of the Public Health Act. If in his judgment the circumstances warrant it, lie can close up a house for a fortnight. On the other hand, ho may deem a week's quarantine sufficient, with ono or several fumigations. It all depends on circumstances, the disease, its particular character, what association, has existed between tho "case" and _ the "contacts," and a dozen other things.

POINT CHEVALIER. Auckland, July 23. Five fresh oqses of the prevailing epidemic were isolated at Point Chevalier Hospital to-day, bringing the total number under treatment up to 15. lhree of these are Maoris, moved from Shoal Bay, and tho other tivo are Europeans, ■ Ono of the latter (a girl) was removed, from Nelson-Street, and was a "contact' with Maori cases previously taken from • the same «aica. The second (a European nialo) presented himself at tho .Auckland Hospital, and was. immediately sent out to Point Chevalier. He had been in contact with Maori cases in tho AVaikalo, and stalled that lie liad walked into Auckland, from Jlercer, and prior to that had been in Te Kuiti. . Reports received from country districts by the local liealth officers included a communication from To Raugihiroa (Dr. Buck), stating that he had seen C 9 cases of tlifl disss so at Otaua, Bay of Islands. Advice was received that the case at Kawhia had been found to be a "contact with a Maori from Auckland. The death of a Maori was reported from Ngawlia, Advices from Dr. Cawkwtdl, at Kaikohe, stated that the disease was more evident in the young people of the district.

WANTED: A COMMISSION. Auckland, July 23. The Doputv Mayor (Mr. John Court) telegraphed to tho Minister for Public Health (tho lion. R. 11. Miotics), suggesting that he should appoint a nrcdical commission to -investigate the prevailing enidemic. Mr. Court also telegraphed to the Auckland City M.P.'s at present in Wellington, informing them of the. renuest mncb to the Minister, and asking them to confer with a view.to urging the Government to act promptly in setting up the proposed commission. The Deputy Mayor added that the matter is daily becoming more urgent. TWENTY SCHOOLS SHUT. Auckland, July ?3. A report presented to tho Board of Education yesterday showed that 20 schools in country districts had been temporarily closed. Maoris and half-castes had been prevented from attending the schools ,vhile the epidemic lasted, and this had resulted in such a falling-oIT in the attendance that it was deemed necessary to closo tho schools. CHRISTCHURCH MEASURES. Cliristchurch, July 23. The measures taken by the Cliristchurch Hospital and Charitable Aid Board to ficht the outbreak were referred to at the board's inert in? 10-da.v. The reprfrt from the Public Hralth Committee said: "Owing to advice received from (lie Health Deparlment 11 itt an outbreak of mistnlnr disease (prnbebly smallpox) lied occurred in the Xorlh Island, the committee lias made arrangements to cone with it. Should an outbreak occur in this district, the Isolation Hospital at Bottle Lake is ready to receive patients. Splendid aceommecla(ion lias been arranged for bv the health insneetnr, so that, thru? shall bo no coni°e,t with the office staff, and the chair-

_4 A man of the coramittoo lias been granted authority to act. sliould thp emergency arise, without calling the committals torather. Tho need for vaccination has been -urged upon members of tlic board's staff, and all those likely to lie exposed to infection have been vaccinated." REPULSIVE SIDE OF TANGIS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wanganul, July 23. Tho crusado of vaccinating tho Maoris is still being pursued vigorously. Last week Dr. Mackenzie vaccinated the Putiki Maoris, but the lymph has proved ineffective, and tho operation will have to be performed again. It is estimated thatill seventy-five of the eases hero tho lymph used by local doctors has been iuoll'ectivc. Dr. Mackenzie is still up (ho river visiting tho various pas. Ho ha 3 found 110 sign of smallpox, and reports that tho vaccine is taking well. Wliilo at Pungarchu a tangi over a chief was in progress, and tho pa was full of visitors. A careful inspection was made, and the doctor will probably liavo something to say later regarding the sanitary conditions and mode of living during a tangi.

DUNEDIN'S FALSE ALARM. Dunedin, July 23. Dr. Champtaloup, Dr. Falconer, and Dr. Ogston this afternoon visited tho isolation home, in which was located tho man referred to yesterday as a suspected case. Tho doctors found that tho symptoms had sufficiently cleared up to luako tho diagnosis sure, and they declare th# case not 0110 of smallpox.' The patient will probably bo discharged to-morrow, CLERGYMAN'S CASE. (By Telegraph,—Press Association.! Hamilton, July 23. A ease of smallpox is reported at Huntly, the patient being a Methodist clergymau. Ho should have performed a marriago ceremony to-day, but was unablo to' do so. The parties had to havo tho services of another cleric. Tho patient is isolated, together with members of tlio' family with whom ho resides. AUSTRALIA'S CRUSADE. CO-OPERATION WITH NEW ZEALAND VACCINATION RUSH SUBSIDING. Sydney, July 23. Dr. Makjjill, of tho Now Zealand Health Department, has had a oonfcrenco with th« Health authorities here. An agreomeoit was reached to mutually recognise certificates of successful vaccinations is> sued in New Zealand aJid Australia. Tfej local office of tho P. and 0. Com-i pany has not been informed of th© reason for discontinuing tho Auckland service, and this in spite of urgent appeals. The doctors say there has been a noticeable decrease in tho number o£ vaccinations during tho past few days. A suspicious caso has been reported at Newcastle.

Melbourne, July 23. The rush for vaccination has ended. Dr. Makgill disagrees with tine nug*, gestion that tho contagion reached Aus« tralia from New Zealand, because ap<. pearances in New Zealand do not support' tho theory. Ho thinks it fair to assuml that it was introduced both to Australia' and Now Zealand from Vancouver af about tho same time. WINTER WEATHER SETS IN. HEALTH AUTHORITIES CONCERNED, . (Rec. July 23, 9.30 p.m.) Sydney, July 23. Tho weather here is wintry, with steady, rain. Tho health authorities are viewing tlais unpleasant chnugo with, concern, pointing out that smallpox is always worsa in winter than in summer. The history' of smallpox epidemics shows that peoplo in summer, by keeping out of doors, and not keeping'close together, did not transj, mit tho disease with tho samo freedom as in winter. • " Tlio Newcastle ease has been diagnosed as smallpox. LATEST NEWS. (Riec. July 23, 11.40 p.m.) Sydney, July 23. Four cases of smallpox in the city wera reported to-day, and one case at Parkos. Several supposed cases in tho country districts are being investigated. A largo number of tho vaooinatioa depots aro closing to-morrow owing to tho falling off in tho number of applicants. Sixteen thousand doses of lymph liave arrived from Melbourne, and also a supply, from Noumea, in bulk. This lot will bo J dispatchod to tho country districts. The total number of public and privates vaccinations in Sydney and the suburb(\ is now 200,000, or.slightly over a quartoi 4 of tho population. Melbourne, July 23. A proclamation has been issued to th£ effect that passengers from New Zealam ■ must piWnt official certificates of succes?' ful vaccination.

.VACCINATORS AND THE PUBLIC(To tho Editor.) , Sir,—Now that the smallpox panic ill causing such a rush to tho public vaccinal; tors, it would lx> interesting to know how many of the said vaccinators liavo been l vacc'unted during tire last five years, as I am informed that vaccination does nob hold good.for mono than that' period.; Some authorities will not guarantee 1 it'j prophylactic effects to last, more than foil}, years, and others think that two, or per> l , haps three, years is the limit. I renieMl) ber that, some time ago, a vaccination inspector !n Canterbury was told to worlcj the soft pedal, and only summon tlioso defaulters who could woll afford to pay. tho fine. Ho proceeded to carry out his instructions, and amongst the first batcll; summoned to C-ourt were two members of . tho medical profession, and not only so, but tlicv were both public vaccinators,; who liacl not vaccinated their own child- ■ ren. Evidently this was a case wlie.ro; tho physician dul not bolicvo in swallow-1 ing Ilia own proscription. I liavo been lately informed that not one-half of tlio. public vaccinators have vaccinated cither themselves or their children, and others havo told mo that not 20 per cent, are vaccinated. I think that beforo wo aro driven liko stoop to tho slaughter wo havo a, right to know: (a) How many of the public vaccinators, oiul (b) how many of their ohildren, havo not been vaccm-. utcd during tho last five years. For my own part 1 firmly beliovo that "vaccinaj tion is a delusion." Of course.l Know I shall bo ridiculed for this belief, but I am quite content to be associatedl in this matter with tho National Auti-} ncranntion League of England, and with that grand old scientist, Alfred Russell tValface, LL.D., D.C.L., 0.5., etc.—l am, eic " ANTMTCMBUG, p g_/I enclose my oard, which you call' show to any inquisitive public vaccinator^

SOME VACCINATION STATISTICS, (To the Editor.) Sir,—There is an old saying, "Though you bruiso a fool in a mortar, you cannot bruiso tho folly out of him." But what reason has the writer sipniiif; himself "Anti-Tuberculosis" for speaking in such a wciy against the vaccinators? Kindly let me give him a few fads, which may be ancient history to. that gentleman who may be very brave, but as soon as he sees or : even hears tho boat of the enemy's drunv bolts. There are quite a number of this kind of people-about just now. Forty years before the introduction of vaccination in Switzerland there died annually from smallpox 2050 out of every 100,000, but after vaccination tho figure fell_ to .158 out of every 100,000; inßerlin, before vaccination it was 3122 deaths, and after only 176; in Paris, before vaccination, 80 out of 100 smallpox patients died, and after only from Hto IG. In tho British Army, scattered over tho whole world, and therefore exposed to great risks, and being carefully protected by vaccination, 1 in 1000 is attacked, and less than 1 in 10,000 dies. These figures are from tho "Lancet."—l am, etc.. HENRY WALTON. Waikanae.