SMALLPOX OR "ALASTRIM."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1861, 22 September 1913, Page 7

SMALLPOX OR "ALASTRIM."

EPIDEMIC IN AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, September 20. Doubt still persists in the public mind regarding the truo nature of tho disease which has spread throughout the northern districts, and filtered into the city during the past few months. Officially, the sickness has been pronounced to bo smallpox in a mild form, but several doctors have maintained their opinions that some disorder of a much less seriour character has been epidemic. An epidemic in Trinidad some ten years ago was first described as chickenpox, and afterwards as the graver disease. Throughout its course it was strikingly lacking in'the traditional features of smallpox,, and the attention of the whole medical faculty was, attracted to it. Tho official diagnosis in that instance is still in 1 controversy'. Last year a zymotic disease of mild form bocame epidemio in one of the minor districts of South America, and to it tho na.ms of "alastrim" was' given by a well-known authority. It is Bimilar to smallpox, but differing from it in the following particulars:—(l) In an epidemic at Sao Paulo the mortality was about half per cent,: (2) the disease is less dangerous in children thsvn in adults; (3) there is no secondary fever, pustulation is quicker, and the fetid smell of smallpox is absent; (4) cicatricial formation, is wanting, ;and after the pustulo dries a smooth, irregular scar romains, with borders, as if nibbled ,by insects.

In two respects the disease , experienced in tho Auckland province and in Sydney is stated to closely resemble "alastrim.'' .. There .< havo been no death's among European patients, while the mortality among Maoris has been very. low. and very few children have been attacked. Smallpox epidemics have been notorious by their high deathrate, and l the entirely disproportionate attack-rate among young children. This striking departure from past experience was mentioned by one dootor as most unusual. A cable message from Sydney reported a statement by the Minister for Publio Health that "the epidemio can no longer be regarded as typical smallpox." And there is a strong body of opinion in Auckland, now the danger is apparently past, that the official diagnosis Bhould be ed. v