THE EPIDEMIC

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 46, 19 November 1918, Page 4

THE EPIDEMIC

It is excellent news that as an outcome ■ of their conference with the Minister of Public Health local members of the medical profession have agreed to work in defined districts under a plan .of which they will themselves settle the details. No more effective step in organisation has beeri taken since the epidemic broke out, and good results may ' be anticipated,, both in a measure of relief to tho doctors themselves and in benefit to their numerous patients. The arrangement is subject to the reasonable reservation that each doctor is entitled to attend urgent cases amongst his own patients wherever they may be, but this should nnfc detract seriously from its value. It rests, of course, with the doctors to bring out the full benefits of tho emergency organisation, and tho manner in which they have subordinated their own interests to those of the community affords the best guarantee that they will spare no effort in that direction. Any financial Iqss incurred by tlie doctors under the temporary arrangement ought certainly to be recouped as far as possible, and it is satisfactory that tentative proposals'to this effedt have been made by tho Minister of Public Health. Good organisation not only as regards medical services, but in supplementary, activities, is the all-impor-tant factor in fighting the epidemic, and the local organisation has now been raised to a pitch which commands confidence, and makes it possible to look forward honefullv. Some hopes arc raised that the worst phase of the visitation may be already over, but these hopes might easily be disappointed if there were any slackening in the efforts that are being made to stamp out the disease. There is and will be for

some time to come-ample scope for workers able and willing to reinforce those already engaged. The worst dangers still to be faced arise from carelessness and neglect. All possible prominence is being given ill the Press and otherwise to the simple measures people should take to safeguard their own health and that of those with whom they come in contact, and there is no excuse cither for ignorance or for the careless disregard of precautions. Eor those who have the misfortune to'bc stricken with the malady medical assistance, and help in other forms are readily available. ' People who can take no more active part in the fight that is being waged will assist definitely to limit the scope and shorten the period of the epidemic by carefully noting and. adopting the advice of the Health authorities.