INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 35, 5 November 1918, Page 6

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

PROVISION OF INHALATION CHAMBERS STATEMENT BY MINISTER . The Minister of Public Health (tho •Hon. G. W. Russell) left Wellington for Auckland yesterday to confer with the Acting-Chief Health Officer (Dr. Frengley) regarding the outbreak of influenza in the northern city. Dr. Frengley proceeded to Auckland on Saturday.

Prior to his departure, Mr. Russell remarked that he and his officers were keenly alive to the position. There was nothing to justify • the assumption that the epidemic was any special form of influenza, and practically all the deaths which had supervened were due to pneumonia. In many cases deaths had been caused owing to people having omitted to take the medical advice to stay in bed for a few days. He had resolved in the meantimo to restrict severely the issue of permits between New Zealand and Austaalia to the most urgont cases. Instructions had been, issued to tho health officers at Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin to prepare a considerable number of sprayers for uso in public inhalation chambers, where sulphate of zino could be inhaled as a preventive against the disease. Mr. Eussell explained, that these chambers would contain ten or twenty persons at the one time. The chambers could be provided in sufficient numbers to be available in any centre where tho disease might break out. He was also considering the question of issuing instructions that all Main Trunk train passengers should pass through inhalation chambers at Auckland and Wellington,

. SERIOUS PHASE IN AUCKLAND WHOLE HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, November i. A serious phase of . f he influenza epidemic is that in numerous instances all the members of a household have been simultaneously affected. In one reported yesterday a mother,, her three daughters, and her grandchild were stricken. They had a nurse in the house, but she had so much to do that she was unable to render the patients proper attention, and was compelled eventually to seek outside assistance. This was promptly rendered by the Citizen's Committee. ~

In another case a woman whose husband was u patient elsewhere was discovered in a, state of collapse by a tradesman on his round. This woman had two babies in her ■ care— twins, only a lew weeks old. When her grocer called she had been unattended and alone for three days, and was delirious. The household arrangements had been entirely neglected. The tradesman procured a doctor, and the woman was seni to hospital. He reported that this was by no means the only case he had come across recently. Ho had found jome women lying on the floor, and had assisted them to bed, and obtained assistance. Numerous oases are reported of mothera suffering from influenza being; compelled to run further risks by getting up to attend to tho wants of tho young children and babies, sick and otherwise. Doctors have frequently been rung up and- begged to send medicine to families every member of which was ill.

Many people have been stricken suddenly. An instance occured on the wharf yesterday, when a carter collapsed without warning, and had to be taken to hospital.

To-day 120 of tho Tramways Company's staff were affected, and tbo services wero 22 cars short. At Narrow Neck there are 224 cases, 6ome with pneumonia and other complications. The Taupiri ConiSany's Eotowaro mine at Huntly has shut own. Tho company's output has been reduced by 200 tons daily. The railway workshops are closing and telegraph business is delayed. The ferry service has been curtailed 'and three vessels laid up. Tho running of the mosquito fleet also is affected. There was a constant procession through the public fumigation room to-day. One of the victims is Mrs. Tau Henare, wife of the M.P.

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD ADJOURNS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, November i. Owing lo the ravages of influenza nnd the absenco of appellants and solicitors, the First Auckland Military. Service Board conferred with the Public Health authorities nnd adjourned all appeals for a fortnight. Evidence only was taken to-day in a few cases, a member of the board being ill.

STEAMERS DELAYED Waterside workers are s-ill determined not to unload cargo from vessels the crews of-which have been stricken with influenza, unless the shipping companies and the Harbour Board guarantee them against loss of time incurred if they should become infected while at work. Altogether, three steamers are delayed for this reason. To-day, however, the position is to be discussed at a conference of the shipping companies concerned, the Harbour Board, and the Waterside Workers' Union.

Work on the Paloona was started yesterday morning on the condition that the Union Company would indemnify the men if they were laid up with influenza, within a reasonable time after handling her cargo. The Harbour' Board, it was afterwards Icarr.ed, refused to guarantee compensation in case of illness. At noon all work stopped on account of the general half-holiday. Work will not bo resumed on the Paloona until after the discussion between the parties.

The 700 tons of cargo in the Monowai, which arrived from Auckland on Sunday, was not touched yesterday by jhe men. Tkose of -the crew, of the vessel who have influenza have it in a slight form only. Captain Drewette, the master of the ship, who .was admitted to a private hospital on Sunday, suffering from pneumonia, was yesterday reported to be in a serious condition.

The third vessel delayed by influenza among her crew is the, small coasting vessel Kalm. She is waiting to discharge a load of .wool from East Coast stations.

OUTBREAK. ON THE KAITUNA By Tolcgraph.-Press Association. WestpoK, November 1. The Kaituna arrived at Westport yesterday. The major portion of her crew is stricken with influenza. The watersiders refuse to work her, and demand her removal further down the- stream, and that she be fumigated. The workers also'ask for an indemnity in caso the disease spreads. There is much indignation hero at the authorities allowing her to come to the wharf. One of the crew lias been taken to the hospital. The Mayor is seeing what can be done in the matter. The Kaituna came here from Auckland. A FATAL CASE AT NAPIER, By Telegraph-Press Association. Napier, November i. Mr. Adams, a member of the crew of the steamer Mako, the whole of whose crew was admitted to the Napier Hospital, died of influenza to-day. This is the first death reported from the epidemic in Napier. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR WELLINGTON II Wellington the epidemic is fairly general, though perhaps not in such a severe form as Hint being experienced in Auckland. 'That fact, however, should not make people careless iii taking precautions to ward oil the serious aftereffect!! of the ailment. There is- no doubt that the form being experienced in Wellington is pneumonic influenza, which, if prompt measures are not taken, leads to bronchitis, tonsilitis, and oven pneumonia. It may be that the searching gales and drenching downpours of rain experienced for the past six weeks have been a blessing in disguise, as such conditions must act as an air and draincleansing medium. On the other hand the frequent and sudden changes of temperature experienced lay the patient open to serious trouble if proper care is not taken. Somo months ago Dr. Barclay stated that it was 'almost iwitable that

the epidemic then raging in Europe, Asia, and; Africa would reach us here, probably m a lighter form. It has come, and those suffering need to take the greatest care of themsches. It is useless, all medical men agree, to toy and hght pneumonic influenza on one's ieet. Ihe patient who experiences tho incessant headache, and aches all over, for that matter, with a sore throat, and a high temperature, must take to bed in order to preserve an even temneraturo and avoid chills. Many people have made the mistake of leaving their beds too early, and have.suffered severely for doing so. Already -$here have been many severe cases of pneumonia and bronchitis in Wellington arising from 6iich a cause, and old people, in particular, have suffered affections of the heart by daring to brave the epidemic. The authorities in Wellington are on the alert. Nearly a fortnight ago the Mayor (Mr. J, p. Luke) issued instructions to tho municipal staff concerned to take extra precautions' in their inspectorial rounds, to insist on absolute cleanliness, and where necessary, disinfection of premises and backyards. This procedure might well be followed in tß*e schools, theatres, churclws, halls, and wherever people congregate in masses. Mr. Luke has also made ' arrangements whereby disinfectants may be purchased at a nominal price at tho Town Hall. He has also interviewed the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. H. Hemes) and the Minister of Public Health (Hon; G. W. Eussell), urging that every necessary precaution should be taken to provent Ihe spread of tho epidemic. Mr. H. Baldwin (chairman of the Hospitable and Charitable Aid Board) states that-the hospital authorities have made arrangement? for ihe accommodation of fifty patients in the Infectious Diseases Hospital (where they can be properly isolated). There are already four cases in the hospital (from a steamer). One has been in the institution for ten days, and is suffering seriously from pneumonia. ■ Mr. Baldwin states that if there should be a rush of cases to fill the beds available, there may be a difficulty in providing nurses (as the staff is fairly fully occupied at present), but doubtless the Health Department will come to the assistance of the board, and provide the necessary staff if the necessity arises.

FIRE ON QUARANTINED VESSEL SYDNEY LOSES SERVICES OF NINE BEIQADBSMEN. Sydney, November i. Sydney lias been robbed of <he services of two officers and seven mon cf the Fire Brigade's headquarters staff through a fire aboard the steamer Mataram, which is in quarantine owing to influenza. Tho firemen went on boaTd and thereby entailed seven days' detention. It is understood that the fire has been Bubdued. The amount of damago.:s unknown.— Press A6sn,