EPIDEMIC REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1826, 12 August 1913, Page 6

EPIDEMIC REPORTS.

DAILY BULLETIN.

THE INFECTED NORTH AGAIN, Quite a nufnber of epidemic cases are mentioned in the Health. Department's bulletin covering the period between 5 p.m. on Friday lashto 5 p.m. yesterday. Tho bulletin reads:— The District Health Officer, Auckland (Dr. Monk) reports:—Four case 9 • are reported in. Auckland city from a house in a previously, infected area; also one case from Pirnell and another from Ponsonby. Two further cases are reported from Wiyhekc. A case is reported from Whararoa. Cases aro reported from Great Barrier Island. The cases at Otorohanga and Parawera are all improving. i Hutt Case—Not Smallpox, A reassuring statement was made last evening by the District Health Officer (Dr. Chesson) regarding the latest smallpox suspect, a little Maori girl hailing from Waiwetu. "I don't think it is smallpox," said Dr. Chesson; "I think we can safely say it is not; but I am going to keep the patient undor observation for a day or two, just for safety's sake." Tho quarantine restrictions imposed upon tho relatives of the child, at Waiwctu, Dr.' Chesson replied to another question, had practically been lifted. Tho people were under medical observation, but were not confined to their dwelling. Tho first patient isolated in Wellington, a European servant girl in tho' employ of Mr. V. H. Keed, M.P., has made a good recovery, and is now convalescent. Chicken-pox at Hutt. ■ Three cases of chicken-pox within the borough of Lower Hutt were notified to the Borough Council at its meeting last evening by tlio Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S REPORT. A telegram received yesterday by tho Minister for Public Health (Hon. R. H. Rhodes) from Dr. Valintino (Chief Health Officer) states that tho position in regard to the epidemic in tho Kaikoho district is not so serious as has been represented. Active steps aro being taken to prevent the dissaso spreading northward. There aro a considerable number of cases at Koreke ( Hokiauga), and a nurso is being sent to. that district. Dr. Rangihiroa, M.P., also telegraphed yesterday saying that the prospects in the north were somewhat brighter. NORTHERN REPORTS. OUTBREAK AT GREAT BARRIER. (By Telegraph—Pro63 Association.) Auckland, August 11. . Information received torday states that tho disease has started amongst the' Natives • at Port Fitzroy, Great . Barrier Island. There is a medical man there, and he" lms had a supply of lymph forwarded to liim. A case of a Maori patient was also reported from Kaiaua, near the Thames, and isolation has been effected. Two Natives were also reported to be suffering from the disease at WharaToa. Of the 69 patients now at Point .Chevalier, it is expected that seven or eight will bs discharged cured to-day.

"I think that tho epidomic has taken a turn for the bettor," said Dr. Monk. "We are not hearing of so many cases now." The Health Officer added . that applicants for vaccination are not coming forward voluntarily, but grudgingly and of necessity. He expressed a hope that the value of tho precaution would be more generally' recognised.

A report has rebelled Dr. Monk from Maiigero that a Maori bearing a rash on his face was -walking about the district. An official of tljo Department was immediately sent out to investigate. Dr. Wallace Mackenzie, of Wellington, also went out, and saw tho Native in question. Ho stated afterwards Mat tho man! had had the disease, and that tho i marks on his face were pock marks, whibh, being .stained, had led to tho impression that ho was suffering from rash. ''The fact that the Maori was freckled helped to make his appearance suspicious.

"MAORI HEALTH POLICE." Hamilton, August 11. Eight smallpox patients, all Natives, nro at prcsont isolated at the Waikato Hospital. The authorities report that, the epidemic is well in hand. An endeavour is to be made to obtain the assistance of the Natives themselves in checking; the discaso by establishing Native health police, one officer to be appointed from each kaianga.