GENERAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 45, 18 November 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NOTES

INHALATION CHAMBERS. As plants aro becoming available inhalation chambers aro being set up in all parts of the city and suburbs. Chambers, have now been established in Hie Commercial Bank .Chambers (the office lately occupied by the Bed. Cross Drivo Committeo), and the Britannia Theatre, and posters advise people who are well to keep well by visiting tho chambers daily. The Wellington Gas Company has made its plant available to the public, and was doing lively business on Friday and after-6 p.m. on Saturday. The plant was made on tho premises, and is one of the best in the/ city. It is suggested that the authorities should order the company to make a score or two of such plants. They will be needed if the epidemic continues to spread. ' The Wellington North Committee have installed the following inhalation cham-bers-.—Two in the Britannia Theatre ii one each in the Methodist Schoolroom, Thorndon; at 233 Tinakori Road; and the Commercial Bank Chambers (Lambton Quay). Another will be,installed in the Artcraft '-Theatre to-day. Tho Municipal Ei.ro Brigade's staff has been reduced by five miy. suffering from influenza. None of tho cases aro considered serious, NO TEAMS YESTERDAY. Owing to the depletion of staffs and the little real need that existed for a ter. vice (under the present conditions), no wheels rolled over the tramway tracks yesterday. Tho cessation of Hie service may have caused inconvenience to the public in various ways, but tho tramway stall as well as the power-house staff had a wearying week, and it is hoped that the rest will have a beneficial effect. The streets were practically deported tho whole day, save for the ambulances and motor-cars engaged in tho only work that matters at the present juncture. Tho secretory of the Wellington Hospital Board, Mr. Robinson, who went oil', duty a couplo of Jays ago feeling ill, is iiow numbered among the influenza patients An inhalation chamber h'as been cs.tablished at Kilbirnio School, Moxham Avcnne. 1 Some idea.of the demand for eggs may be gathered from the fact that in a small corner store in one of the suburb. , ! well over one hundred dozen eggs were sold ilitring last week. Tho Rev. Father Kimbell, of St. Anne's, Nowtown, is down with influenza. There me few, if any, Wellington offices which have not. been hit by the epidemic. One of thn hardest hit is the office of thn Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. It can bo easily understood that normally this staff is a fjirly large one. Gradually the in-

fliienzi reduced it till by Saturday it left it without its chief oilicer ami with only two members to carry on the whole of the work.

Persons wishing to give food for use in the Kilbirnie area m&y leave it at the denot which has been set up at tho Presbyterian Church buildings.

Tho Salvation Army urgently require the services of ;i motor-car to assist Caplain Burton in his work of distributing medicine and delicacies to nick people.

There is every indication that Hit prevalent complaint has reached its height in ..b'entliQi'Ston (says our special correspondent), The local organisation for relief of sufferers has been placed on a satisfactory basis, thanks to the energy of tlw Mayoress (Miss Card) and her associates. The only medical officer in Ihe district, the local nurses, and the one dispensing chemist have rendered excellent service, as also hus the "borough disinfectant staff. Municipal water-carls are being freely used for the purpose of sluicing with a powerful disinfectant solution the channelling in the- main thoroughfares in the city. The electric water-car also covers the streets as much as possible with a similar solution. The Boy Scouts are doing splendid work as messengers, and in patrolling streets in house-to-house visits. As a result of their efforts assistance has been rendered to many urgent cases, l.t is probable that without the help of this splendid organisation many sufferers would have lacked necessary care and attention. The work of the boys cannot be too highly praised. A result ot the epidemic is an increase in sea bathing, and the fine days saw many, particularly children , , enjoying a dip in the briny. The parade at Oriental Bay has.i>lenty_of tiny paddlers every day, and it seems that parents realise the value of fresh,air and exercise.

TliG shipping authorities intend fumigating all ships in port, and are taking every step to allow operations to proceed at the earliest possible date. In the meantime (he watersiders have undertaken to facilitate the discharge of essential and perishable cargo. Several ships in port have aboard considerable quantities of chemicais and produce that are sorely neaded just now. Influenza is rife at the Porirua Mental Hospital. On Saturday there were some 80 cases among the patients and staff, but none were then considered to be very serious.

Sα far the' prisoners' in the Terrace Gaol have avoided infection. In response to an inquiry on Saturday, it was stated that there were two or three ligiit cases anions the staff, none of wnich then threatened to be serious.

So far none of the personal staff of His Excellency the ' Governor-General have been affected by the prevailing epidemic. The only people so far to take infection have been three of the laundry staff, who are isolated' in their own quarters. Among the latest to suffer from influenza are Mr. Matthew Cable (engineer) anil Mr. Howard Leah (car shed superintendent) of the municipal tramway staff. A report has been received by the Minister of Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) from Major Hurley, Government Bacteriologist, with reference to Dr. Thacker's statement in the House of Representatives lately that scrum should be made-for the trcatmeiit of influenza cases. "It can be stated," reports Major Hurley, "that it is impossible to make an efficient serum'for that purpose. If ho intends, however," to refer to bacterin ho may be 'informed that a supply of was prepared at the Government Laboratory, Wellington, from organisms obtained from severe cases, and sent to Auckland on November 8: The use of these bacterin during an epidemic is a moot point in the niedical profession, and it is a matter-for the profession to decide." ■

Owing to the fact that mild influenza uases aro being admitted to the emergency hospitals on the recommendation of the various ..vigilance committees, thus h'llins; valuable beds, no cases will be admitted to these hospitals in future «- e.ept through the Health Department. Application should be made to telephone 510 aup till 10 p.m. After 10 p.m." communication can be made as follows;— Kemale cases: Telephone! 4492 (Normal School, Hobson Street); male eases; Telephone 834 a (St. Patrick's College). A noticp appp.-irs in this issue advisingkeepers of hotels, boardinghoiises. restaurants, etc., that they are required to effectively disinfect aiid clean their premises at least once daily,