THE EPIDEMIC

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 42, 14 November 1918, Page 4

THE EPIDEMIC

The epidemic which is now sweeping oyfei , the Dominion raises an urgent; demand not only {or organised remedial measures, but for public-spirited action on the part of all citizens. Tho reports which have .been published from day to day 'sufficiently demonstrate that tho scourge at its present stage of development constitutes a serious menace to thy whole population. It is 'equally clear that if the disease is to bo checked and eradicated as speedily as possible whole-hearted

issisfcancc must bo given to the Public Health Department and the member:; of the medical profession, upon whom the main burden and responsibility fall. .The ru is neither ground nor excuse for panic, hut the plain fact is to he, faced that this epidemic bus erenUn.l a. national danger which should he met by a national campaign. The first and niott obvious call made upon citizens is that I hey should loyally observe and follow the preI cautionr, recommended by the Llien,)th~P.sinju'tai.ejit aadJiicmcdicaL

profession. Full publicity is being . given to the need of paying strict ; attention to sanitation, and also • to tho measures of isolation and personal and faimily safeguards which the authorities declare to be imperatively necessary. The worst dangers to be feared are carelessness and neglect. It cannot be emphasised too strongly that people who at this time neglect the elementary precautions recommended arc not only fools in their own interests, but arc guilty of a crime against their fellow-citizens. So far as the bulk of the population is concerned little if anything more is demanded than that people should take common-sense action in protection of their own health and that of 'their families—in a word that they should support in detail the counter-measures that are being organised by the Health authorities in treating and relieving sufferers, in closing schools and various places of public assembly and resort, and in other ! way,s. A plain duty rests, however, upon those who are in a position to take an active part in assisting to cope with the epidemic. The demand for voluntary helpers isi great and urgent, and is likely to remain so for-some time to come. Doctors and nurses are labouring heroically and tirelessly to stem the epidemic, but their numbers are altogether inadequate in the. extraordinary circumstances that have arisen. Some at least of those who have laid down their lives in the struggle would have been saved had not extreme overwork exhausted their vitality. These devoted men and women ougjit to be reinj forced amply and' with all possible j speed. - Something has already I been clone in the way of organising voluntary aid, but much more must be done. No doubt many people, both men and 'women, who have been devoting themselves to various war activities will answer this I new and urgent cal!. There is j still a national cause to be served. ) A shortage of doctors must con- ] tinue for some time, but a free flow of volunteers will result speedily in lightening the burden .now im- 1 posed on nurses, and both doctors and nurses as a result will be given invaluable, assistance in their selfsacrificing labours. As far as can be judged the Health authorities are acting with firmness and good sense in their various measures to check the epidemic and prevent • its spread.* A considerable interference with the social and business life of the ■community is already entailed, but it goes without saying that even if much more drastic measures should become necessary and advisable they must be taken without hesitation. The immediate demands of the situation are bold'action by the authorities and loyal and unquestioning assistance and co-operation by the public. It will be time enough when the battle has been.fought and won to investigate the origin of the epidemic and apportion whatever blame is to be apportioned for its introduction.