INFLUENZA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 38, 8 November 1918, Page 6

INFLUENZA

THE EPIDEMIC SPREADING AN INCREASING DEATH ROLLi DOCTORS AND NURSES ATTACKED. A statement regarding the 'influenza epidemic in Auckland was made in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon by the: Minister of Public Health (the Hon. G. W. Russell), following upon a question asked by Mr. V. H. Reed '(Bay of Islands). Mr. Reed asked the Minister whether he would cause notices to lie posted at country post offices informing the people as to what measures to take to avoid contagion. "Information has reached me, not only from the Bay of Islands, but practi- j cally' from every "district of the Auckland | provin.e, that this disease is rampant there," said Mr. Russell. "The matter has engaged the serious attention of the Health Department." Mr. Russell said that he had just returned from a special visit to Auckland, where the disease had asumed a very serious aspect within the last week It was quite evident from the research of the Departmental officers that the disease was pure influenza. There was no indication whatever that it was a pneumonic form of influenza, nor oven up to the present was there evidence of the septicaemia which had been connected with the disastrous outbreak at the Cape. Every precaution was now being tnicen to minimise the disease, and he would say emphatically that there had not been a single death recorded in Auckland from influenza. In every case death had been due to pnenmonia following influenza Consequently, if people heeded the precautions advised by the Health Department, took to bed when attacked by the disease, placed themselves under medical care, ami stayed in bed until tne attack had passed, there was no need to fear that pneumonia would supervene. Another very important matter was the sanitary conditions of the people. In cases in Auckland where several persons'' had died in the same house it had been discovered that in those cases the sanitarv conditions gave encouragement aud force to the disease. He could relate special cases, but it was not necessary to do so. However, that was the position in every such case that had been revealed. The Health Department hart risen to' the occasion, he thought and good work was being done. Inhalation chambers had been established in Auckland, and large numbers of people were passing through them. Sulphate of zinc was inhaled, and was found to be very effective in warding off the epidemic. Assistance had also been given by the Defence Department. Instructions had been issued to the four centres to manufacture immediately ten additional sprays,. so that inhalation chambers might be mado available to the public as free'.y as possible, in the country districts as well as in the cities. A standaitt medicine had been prepared by the Department, and this was available in Auckland and other centres, WJicre necessary, this medicino would be provided free, and disinfectants would also bo supplied free to those who required them. "An nppeal is going out to-day to the whole of the public authorities in New Zealand, who, in their respective localities, are health authorities under tho Public Health Act, asking them to co-operate in cleaning up their cities, and districts for the purpose of preventing the spread of the disease," added Mr. Russell. He thought that the suggestion made by Mr. Reed might bo carried out.' He would be very glad to consider the matter, andtake the advice of the Department. Already medical officers iii all centres had been instructed to give information to the Press as to the symptoms of the disease, nnd what measures to take to combat it. Mr.'J. P. Luke (Wellington North) said that in Wellington City everything was being done to stop the progress of the epidemic. On behalf of the citizens of Wellington, he would say that tho Health Department had been very alert in dealing with the matter. Tho Outbreak on the Niagara. Mr. P. Eraser asked the', Minister what part, if any, the outbreak on tho Niagara had played in the epidemic in Auckland. In reply, Mr. Russell stated that the day before the Niagara arrived in Auck-land-a wireless message was received, saying that 101 members of the crew were suffering from influenza, and that there wore 26 cases that required hospital treatment. Urgent telegrams were at once sent to t'he District Health Officer in Auckland ordering that no communication whatever was to be allowed with tho ship, and that no one should be allowed to leave her until specific answers had been sent to two questions that were 'put. Tho first was: Was the disease on board pure influenza? And the second question was: How many deaths had occurred? In answer to the first question the Health Officer stated emphatically on the authority of three doctors who were on board the Niagara, that it was only, pure influenza. So far as deaths were concerned it was reported that there was only rue death, the day before, from broncho-pneumonia. After receipt of that, advice, and on the authority of t'he three doctors who were/on. the ship, the order was given that the ship might be clewed. Whatever might be said to the contrary, he was satisfied that the Health Officer in Auckland ir.led with perfect justification in sending the telegram 'he did. On the advice of his responsible officers, he (Mr. Russell) did not consider that the epidemic in Auckland had any direct relationship with the arrival of the Niagara. Mr. Fraser then asked how many deaths had occurred in Auckland subsequent to the ship's arrival, and if the fact of those deaths occurring bore out the Minister's conclusion that adequate safeguards had been taken. Also, he desired to know if the vast amount of sickness amongst the crew of the Niagara could not bo directly traceaLlo to conditions prevailing in regard to sanitation and ventilation in the crew's quarters. The Minister said that he was unable to make any statement regarding the sanitary condition aud ventilation of the crew's quarters. With regard to the first part of the question, it was quite true that during the last two weeks there had been a considerable increase in the number of deaths, but. it was equally true that a very large number of those deaths could 'be considered as arising out of the sanitary conditions under which the people were living, and would have taken place, in his opinion, evon with the ordinary influenza that was existing in New Zealand at the present time. Closing the Schools, Mr. D: Buick (Palmerston North) asked the Minister of Education (Hon. J. A. Dalian) whether, in view of the fact that the epidemic had broken out in Palmerston North, he would close the schools there. Tho Minister replied that yesterday morning he heard that some teachers and a- number of children had been attacked by the disease in Palmerston North. Ho had no power to order the schools to be closed, as that power was entirely in the hands of the school committees. ' He certainly thought that in the circumstances prompt action should bo taken by the committees in order that tho spread of tho disease might be checked. SITUATION IN WELLINGTON SCHOOLS NOT SERIOUSLY AFFECTED INSTRUCTIONS TO HEADMASTERS. Seen yesterday, Mr. G. L. Stewart (secretary 'of the 'Wellington Education Board) stated that so f;;r ilie prevailing epidemic'had not seriously affected the schools' as far as attendances were concerned and there was no justification anywhere for tho closing of the schools. There were poor attendances at some of the schools yesterday, but that was more attributable to the very ou,gh weather than to influcii7.il. The weakness was more nartic.ulnrly felt in the infant classes. People naturally would wish lo keep the little ones at home in such weathor in tho circumstances. Tho board yesterday issued tho follow-

ing memorandum to headmasters and chairmen of committees throughout, the Wellington Educational District:— "lii reference to the uitbreak of a somewhat virulent form of influenza in Auckland and elsewhere, the buard has been in communication with the Health Department with a view to suitable precautionary measures being taken in connection with the schools. The Chief Health Officer recommends:—; (a) That the schools be kept well aired, and in addition to daily cleaning should receive a special cleaning each week in'each case without dry sweeping c dusting. ■ (bj T.hat as snon as a child is believed to be infected he should at once i»e excluded from the school and his desk, etc., sprayed with a suitable disinfectant, and that other desks, etc., within a radius of six feet be sprayed. (c) That the children bo strongly recommended to gargle two or three times a day cither with Condy s fluid diluted with water to a light pink colour or n mixture of borax, baking soda, and salt in equal parts, using one teaspoonful of the mixture to a pint of hot water. (d) That for reasons of safety the childrer be required to sneeze _ or cough only into their handkerchiefs, and to avoid indiscriminate sneezing or coughing about the premises. "Should there be any suspicious outbreak at your school I have to ask you. to be good enough to immediately notify me of the fact, so that I may arrange for investigation and action by the Health Department." RESTRICTIONS AT_PUBLIC HOSPITAL ; NURSES ALREADY ILL. At a meeting, of the Wellington Hospital Committee, held yesterday it was decided that in order to lessen the risk of spreading influenza through the congregating of people, it was advisable to close the out-patients' dyjajctment and also to close the wards to visitors. The committee requests the public to note that no out-patients will be seen at the hospital to-day or until further notice; ilso that no visitors will be admitted Jo see patients, save the relatives of those dangerously ill, who will bo notified and asked to attend. It is further requested that the public accept the.se hardships cheerfully, and refrain from unnecessary inquiries. The staff of the hospital is already depleted owing to influenza, and every bit of extra work is a serious consideration* _ As regards patients actually suffering from influenza the authorities have been asked to reserve the accommodation for the more urgent and serious cases. It will be impossible for them Jo admit all sufferers from the disease, especially with a depleted staff. Doctors and the public generally are asked not to send anv influenza patient for admission without first making arrangements with the hospital. Mild and incipient cases are not eligible for admission. EMERGENCY HOSPITALS. The Union' Company's steamer Takapuna, which has lain in the stream for- a year or two, is to be fitted out as an emergency hospital for nursing seafaring patients. Tho vessel will probably be moored at the Clyde Quay Wharf to-day, and if this is done, ought to be ready to-morrow to accommodate between two hundred.and two hundred and fifty cases. The ship will be properly furnished with a nursing staff and all necessary equipment. ■ ' ' The Alexandra Hall, Abel Smith Street, ha? been fitted un as a temporary hospital containing thirty beds, as a precaution against congestion of the hospitals— both public and private. TWO DEATHS IN THE HOSPITAL. ! Last night the Hospital authorities reported that altogether 2(1 persons suffering from influenza had been admitted, and are now being treated in the fever ward in Coromnndel Street. Two deaths directly traceable to influenza,, had occurred in the institution in the .previous twenty-four hours, and ton nurses had been, stricken. TOWN HAiLraiIGATED LIVELY DEMAND FOR. DISINFECTANTS. The promptitude of the Mayor (Mr. ,T. P. Luke) ir. providing disinfectants for tho public at cost price is being appreciated. The Town Hall is being vis'ited daily by dozens of people with bottles and' cans, and about £3 worth, of an effective disinfectant is being disposed of daily, tho effect of which must be the cleansing of many premises. ' _ Yesterday the offices and halls in the Town Hall building were fumigated thoroughly by the use of formalin in solution, ejected from largo glass jars by the aid of atomisers. The proportion of formalin is one to twenty (of wateifj. FIRE BRIGAdFaFFECTED Half a dozen members of the permanent staff of the Municipal-Fire Brigade have been seized with influenza, which leaves the- already short-handed staff rather seriously depicted. Some of the members from sub-stations have been brought in for duty at the Central Station. • HEALTH OFFICERS ATTACKED. Dr Watt, Wellington Health Officer, and Inspector Cowdrey, of the Public Health Department's Wellington staff, are among the present sufferers from influenza. SHORT OF INSPECTORS. The Wellington City Corporation has only six inspectors in its employ, anil of these three have been 'borrowed by the Public Health Department. This restricted staff is doing what it can to make drastic inspections of rremises, but through not having the men the work cannot possibly be done anything like as thoroughly as it, should in the existing circumstances. P, AIL WAY SERVICES. The railway authorities are considering making certain curtailments in the services particularly in the Auckland district, on account of the shortages m the staff consequent upon the ravages of influenza. When communicated with on the subject yesterday afternoon the taeral Manager (Mr. E. H. Hiley) said that he had no annoiliicement to make so tar on the subject. . The public would.be at once advised as soon as any curtailments were decided upon. INHALATION 171" PREVENTIVE. Three inhalation chambers have been established on the wharves, and yesterday were greatly in demand. Passengers for Australia and for the South Island by the ferry steamers must go through tho inhalation process as a preventive. The chamber, where passen"ers for the ferry steamers inhale is situated in the Harbour Board shed on the Ferry Wharf. This endeavour to check the spread of the infection was brought into force yesterday. Siini.ar chambers are being provided by the Railway Department for the use of inward Main Trunk travellers at Marton and at Palmerston North for other passengers. ~ About twentv-(ive persons can, it. is stated, be put through a fair-sized chamber in ten minutes. The Health Department is arranging for another chamber to be opened in a central city position. A SUGGESTION TO CHEMISTS. The night pharmacy which has been in existence since the chemists decided' to close their shops at night, has been literally rushed of Into, and callers who have had their wants attended to immediately have been fortunate. A correspondent who was delayed for an hour and n half last night in securing an urgent prescription suggests that during the height of the epidemic the chemists would be doing a public service were they to open their shops at night, and so enable the public to procure medicines which may be urgently needed. SEVERE OUTBREAK'AT PALMERSTON NORTH. Br Telegraph-Press Association. ■ Palmerston North, November 7. Tho influenza outbreak in Palmerston North is very severe, with no signs of abatement. Government Departments ai'e seriously affected, especially the railways and post and telegraphs. Tho College Street 6chool has been closed owing to depletions in tho staff, and

it is likely that other schools will follow suit. The Minister of Public Health, who passed through here this morning, exploded strong opinions that there should be no congregation of adults or children in confined spaces, and schools should be closed and places of amusement sprayed daily. The local health authorities are taking all precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. Diphtheria has made its appearance nmong.it the pupils of one school. WANGANUI PRECAUTIONS. By Tclcgraph.-Prens Association. Wanganui, November 7. Although the influenza epidemic has not made its appearance here except in. a mild form, the Borough Council has taken prompt measures to prevent its spread. Exten's.ve disinfecting is'being carried out under municipal auspices. Business neople and householders are urged to purchase a disinfectant which is being retailed by the council cheaply. Arrangemtiits have been mode to supply disinfectants and gargles to school ch'ildien free daily. The Stewart Home, owned by the council, will, if necessary, be converted into a temporary hospital for influenza patients. Arrangements to this effect were completed to-day with tho Hospital Board. , A medical officer, two nurses and large medical supplies were dispatched by the board to-day for Tauinarunui and O'hakune. Nine schools in the Wanganui education district on the Main Trunk line have been closed. All these schools ore on the railway line; those inland are not affected. Owing to the nunibcr of teachers affected it is practically impossible to supply relief in some cases, necessitating the'closing of schools. SOLDIERS AND THE EPIDEMIC OVER- 1300 CASES. Yesterday morning there were nearly 1500 men in the military hospitals at Trentham and Fcatherston Camps, and 1348 of the .patients were influenza subjects. Most of the cases are at Featherston, where 1100 men are down with' influenza. Fifteen of the cases there are serious. Yesterday's health reports read:Feather.ston, Total paraded sick 696 Total admitted to hospital 316 Total detained for observation 87 Total detained in hospital 1161 Total influenza cases HOI Serious cases • • I 5 Trentham. Total paraded sick 222 Total admitted to hospital 56 Total influenza cases 163 Total detained for observation 8 Total remaining in hospital 319 Total influenza cases 245 The condition of those previously reported is improving. ■SEVEN SOLD I BUS DIE FROM THE SCOURGE. Gunner J. E. F. Buckland, 4Gth Artillery, died, at Featherston Camp Hospital at 4 a.m. yesterday. His next-of-kin is his wife, Mrs. Ellen Buckland; 8 Cooper Street, Arch Hill, Auckland. He was .41 years of age. Gunner Henry Wilfred Greenroyce Doig, of the 46th Artillery, died at the Victoria Military Hospital, Wellington, yesterday, the cause of death being influenza: He was a married man and 25 years of ago. His .next-of-kin '*- Mrs. R. 'E. Doig (wife), e/o Mrs. D. Gibson, 142 Aro Street, .Wellington. Advice lias been received from Group Area, Gisborne, that Private William Albert M'Kinstry, of Trentham Military Camp, died there at 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Tho cause of deat'h was .'influenza.'His next-of-kin is his wire. Mrs. D. G. M'Kinstry, e/o G. Brown, Chalmers R-oad, Te Karpra, Gisborne. He was 27 years of" age. Private Touuia, of the Gilbert Islands Contingent, died at Narrow Neck Camp on Tuesday, the cause of death being influenza. The next-of-kin is Tanene (mother), Noumea. Advice has been received from • tho Commandant, Narrow Neck Camp,' Devonport, Auckland, that tho following members of the Maori Reinforcements died there from influenza■:—Pte. T. Oner'on, died last Saturday. The next-of-kin is AVihono Teoro (brother), Keropeeni, Thames. Pte. W. Tapsell, died on Monday. The next-of-kin is Kiri Tapsell (father), Mnketu, Bay of Plenty. Pte. Te R-. Pukere, died on Monday. The next-of-kin is Doris Pukere (wife), Urenui, Waitara. 'FEATHERSTON CIVIC AUTHORITIES TAKING ACTION. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Featherston, November 7. In view of the serious epidemic of influenza at the camp, the Pentherstoi civic authorities are moving promptly as to precautionary measures. EFFECIfOrTsffIPFINfi • SERIOUS POSITION REACHED. Owing to the number of seamen afflicted with influenza the position-of the vessels in Wellington is decidedly serious. Several aro waiting to clear port, but are detained owing to their crews being short. The greater number of the sufferers along the waterfront are firemen and trimmers. Officers, engineers, seamen, coal workers, and pursers are all affected. There is still a largo number of cases on board the cable repair steamer Iris, and a big vessel is alsoreported to be affected by the disease. There are also several cases still on the Monowai, which i 6 held up indefinitely at Wellington. Meanwhile the waterside workers are doing no work on about six vessels. As a possible way out of a position, the shipping companies and the Waterside Workers' Federation have each appointed a doctor to confer with Dr. W T att, District Health Officer, and to represent to the National Disputes Committee regarding the dangers to the health of waterside workers who work on ships that arc at present affected with influenza. Dr. Watt, however, is reported to be a victim of the epidemic,, so it is likely .that the Disputes Committee will not receive the doctor's report for a day or two. The Union Company is taking special care to keep its ships as clear of the disease as possible. A circular issued to the masters of ships and others concerned says that all crews must be passed through an inhalation chamber daily; also all suspected and infected cases must be isolated and their quarters thoroughly disinfected. On account of the epidemic the Westralia, which was 1 to have left Bluff yesterday for Melbourne, will be quarantined at the Victorian port for a period of seven days. DRASTIC MEASURES AT AUCKLAND PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT CLOSED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, November 7. The forces fighting the are still labouring . under vast difficulties, tho chief being the shortage oj' medical and nursing assistance. The position is that only' the worst cases can receive personal aid, and there was a further increase in the number of applications for help to-day, the greater proportion being serious oases. The position at tho hospital has never been worse in its history. This morning the last bed in the institution was taken, and the fact that all cases admitted there are more serious than is general, means that recovery is ahvays slow. Of the normal working staff of ISO nurses and sisters, 100 are laid aside. Five more nurses came up from the south, and are now at work in the institution. The decision to put into operation many provisions of Section 18 of the Health Act was made by the ActingChief Health Officer, Dr. J. P. Frengley, today. A notice was issued by him yesterday requiring the immediate closing of all places of entertainment, public halls, billiard rooms, and shooting galleries for a week. This will include the Auckland Racing Club's course and the building at Ellcrslie, 1 nd means that no races can be held on Saturday. The I Health authorities state that they had the greatest difficulty in getting motorcars for special doctors and nurses on tho day of the Avondalo races, and their visits were delayed by this want. Dr. ' Frengley said 'lie was satisfied that trouble arose out of the employment • of 60 many cars at the race meeting. He was determined to use every possible

power to prevent such a deplorable state of affairs occurring again on Saturday. Ho made this statement quite apart from all other considerations winch had resulted in a decision to close the racecourse. Clergymen are requested by the Health Officer to hold only morning services of the shortest possible duration next Sunday. ■ In consequence of the spread of the epidemic affecting the police force, gaol officials and prisoners, the authorities hnvo decided to postpone 'he criminal sittings of the. Supreme Court for one month from Monday next. .'','. There is no sign of the epidemic abating. The death roll is slightly over seventy. ALL AUCKLAND"SCHOOLS CLOSED. By Telegraph-Press Association. Auckland, November 7. The Health authorities have ordered all schools, public and privatum the Auckland district to be closed forthwith until further notice. DISEASE SPREADING IN WHANGABEI DISTRICT.. '• > fly Telegraph—Press Association. Whangarei, November 7. Influenza is becoming general throughout; the Whangarei district. Seventeen railway employees aro down and the j Post and Telegraph staff is seriously de- ] nictod. Both services are being main-, tained under great difficulties. The stuffing of' the banks and business places is also (severely reduced. A single woman, Susan Morrow, who was being brought with five other patients to Whangarei for hospital treatment, died on .Hie train this morning. APPEAL FOE ASSISTANT NURSES. The Health Department in an advertisement in this issue ask urgently for women volunteers, not necessarily registered nurses, but women who have had some nursing experience, for service in the Auckland district, in any capacity that the Department may require. The Department offer a remuneration of 10s. ner day, and will pay all costs of travelling. , PRECAUTIONS TAKEN AT LYTTELTON MAORI'S PAFSENGERS RECEIVE . INHALATION TREATMENT. By Telceranh.—Press Association. Christchurch, November 7. The Maori was late reaching Lyttelton this morning, it being- 9.20 when she entered the Heads. The vessel was then signalled to berth at No. 6 east, instead of at the Ferry Wharf. These instructions were given at the instigation of Dr. Chesson, who went .this morning and installed an inhaling chamber in a military guardhouse, capable of dealing with about twenty persons at a time. Dr. Chesson, in company with Dr. Upham, Public Health Officer for Lyttelton, boarded the Maori in the Stream, and made au examination of Hie passengers and crew, and found four light cases of influenza among, the crew. A special examination was made of persons from Auckland. On the vessel berthing twentv persons were allowed to land at a time, and they were taken to the inhaling chamber, in which they had to remain 'for five minutes before being allowed off the wharf.- • The wharf was railed off, and only officials and those connected wi.'h the handling of the vessel were allowed inside the barrier, and these, too, had to go through the chamber before leaving again. It is more than possible that these proceedings will be carried out in future as a precautionary measure while the epidemic lasts. Sixteen cases of influenza have been reported on bpard a steamer at Lyttelton. The' vessel's crew- numbers fifty, and the men affected comprise ten firemen and six seamen. A medical man states that the vessel came to Lyttelton a clean ship, and that the disease was contracted here. Every precaution would be taken to prevent the disease spreading on the vessel. The' epidemic had been severe, but was .now abating. FIVE DEATHS AT GISBORNE. By Teleirraph.—Press Association. Gisborne, November 7. Tho influenza victims are increasing daily. There were 08 cases at the Public Hospital yesterday, and five deaths through complications due to influenza. The Mayor has issued a public an r nouncement for a general clean up of the town, and suggests that parents should not send their children to-places of amusement, and everyone as far as possible should avoid attending places of amusement or assemblies where there are crowds. Four teachers at Gisborne East School aro ill, and 13 per cent, of the children have been absent, though not neoessarily with influenza. .The school has been closed temporarily for a day or so. MANY SUFFERERS IN INVERCARGILL. Invercargill, November 7. Influenza has been making itself unpleasantly felt here for the last week. It is not of a virulent type, but many are suffering from the disease in a severe form, and business generally is short staffed. Eight nurses were down in the hospital to-day, and forty,prisoners in tho reformatory. Inmates recently received from Auckland are considered to be responsible for the outbreak. An inhaling chamber is being opened, and other measures taken to check the spread of the disease. AUSTRALIAN PRECAUTIONS ' Melbourne, November 7. • In the House of Representatives the Minister, replying to a suggestion that steps should be taken to declare New Zealand infected and stringently guard against the entry of influenza to Australia, said that all necessary steps had been taken—Press Assn. ' . ;