A LEADING PRINCIPLE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 47, 20 November 1918, Page 6

A LEADING PRINCIPLE

LITTLE AT -ISOLATION,

"The chief cause of the rapid spread of the epidemic in Wellington," said an ofh'eer of the Health Department, "is the comparatively little heed people are paying to the principle of isolation. Howcan it surprise anyone, when you see hundreds of cases in houses and hotels audi boardinghouses where no attention is being paid to isolating the case, and where everyone in the house saunters in and out of the room iii which the patient lies, without dreaming of the risk they are- taking of infection? "Few people think of hanging n disinfecting sheet where the door should be, yet the malady is far more contagious thnn half a dozen infectious diseases are where such ordinary precautions are insisted upon. How can a wife help catching the disease if she. insists on inhabiting the same ropm ns her suffering husband? It would be a miracle if she did not become infected. Children, too, are allowed to invade the sick-room, as though the patient only hnd'n-cold or a sore foot. Tt would be far better if parents would send tho children out into the open street or the nearest lecreation ground— nnything to keep them away from tho house

"Wellington is now paying for her overcrowded- slate. Yestcday we found some twclv-3 or fifteen Assyrians crowded into one tiny little place in Hnining Street —a hovel, reeking with humanity. One of them was taken away in a bad state, and died. Is it any wonder if the others develop the disease? In another place we found a man in a maniacal condition in the same room with a child in o dying state. If such conditions are to prevail, and people will be stuivM enough to encourage contagion, I am afraid we have hot reached the worst of the epidemic yet. In n few places we have visited people have had Ihe sense to take precautious, but such are in « distinot minority."

Reports from the Hutt and Petone districts have a hopeful tone. It is believed out there that the epidemic, is being kept fairly in bund. The latest victim is Mrs. C. PnlleH, of the Hutt Road, Petone, a prominent lied Cross and 6oeial worker. Mrs. Collett is a daughter of tho lute Mr. Archer, formerly of lilnckbridge, Lower Hutt, and * Mrs. Archer, of Brougham Street. .

KOEPITAL Al J HNSONYILLE

ESTABI.ISI IMENT SANCTIONED. The residents of JohnsonviUeju'e considering the question of establishing a -temporary hospital there to accommodate cases_occurring in the district from Johnsonvilie to Ngaio. Provided a suitable matron, possessing the necessary qualifications can be obtained, the Minister of Public Health has agreed to tho establishment of an institution at Johnsonvilie. , OPENING PICME THEATRES DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. A deputation of picture theatre proprietors waited upon the Minister of Public Health yesterday morning the purpose cf suggesting that, if possible, the reopening of picture theatres shouldlie made simultaneously t'u'oiignout tTic Dominion in order that the circuit arrangements of the film supply companies might not be disorganised.. In reply, the .Minister stated that ho could not commit the Department upon the point because one portion of the Dominion might be free of the epidemic before another, but the deputation could rest assured that there would be no longer delay than necessary. Probably the Department would permit only one performance during the day in order that there should bo every possibility of the theatres being properly ventilated and disinfected. Asked if he would be prepared to permit out-d<;or performances, the Minister said that every application in this connection, would receive consideration. POSITION IN OTHER CENTRES FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN AUCKLAND. By Telegraph.—Press Association. ' Auckland, November 19. The influenza position is mucii improved in the city and suburbs, but no reports have been received from the country districts. Ellerslie grandstand will be opened to-morrow as a convalescent 1 home.

The position on the waterfront and shipping is steadily improving, the men returning to duty outnumbering thosa going off. The itayor stated that 85 applications for assistance were received at the Town Hall yesterday, the lowest since the beginning of the month. The highest was 600, and on Sunday last there were 111 applications. The deaths in the Auckland hospitals fro.n influenza frqm midnight on Sunday till 10 o'clock last night totalled sixteen, compared with eighteen in the previous twenty-four hours. The removal of convalescents is-being expedited. Though the position is improving, thiHealtli Officer warns workers and the public against any relaxation of their efforts. There is a marked improvement it Narrow Neck Camp. f . It is estimated that there have been about GOO burials since the outbreak, from which imist be deducted the ordinary deathrate of 120 per month. A Citizens' Fund has been opened for the relief of- distress. SIX DEATHi AT DANNEVIRKE. Dannevirke, November 19. , Six additional deaths occurred at Dannevirke last night and to-day from pneumonic influenza. ■ ORGANISATION PROVING EFFECTIVE IN CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, November 19. The latest reports by the medical authorities suggest that while the influenza epidemic is still serious there, are signs of the position becoming slightly easier. Tho city is now well organised to cope with the trouble, and this is having tho desired effect. Admissions to the hospitals yesterday numbered forty-five, and the deaths nineteen. The results of a patrol show that there are 2550 cases ot influenza in Christchurch, of which nearly 200 are ncuto or serious.

Arrangements are being made to coordinate the work of the undertakers. Instead of undertakers taking orders, a schema will he put into operation, as in tho,case of the attendance of the medical men. It is,intended that the bodies shall he taken to the cemeteries in groups, .and not singly. The Hospital Hoard will have control of the burials. The Christchurch Ministers' Association has arranged to have one of its members in continuous attendance at the Linwood and the Sydenham Cemeteries for the purpose of officiating at funerals. CHIEFLY MILD CASES IN MARL- ' BOROUGH. Blenheim, November in. The influenza outbreak is widespread in Marlborough, but the majority of the cases are of a mild character. One death occurred, yesteranv. There are a few serious cases. The authorities aro working hard at remedial measures. Business is practically at a standstill, people obeying instructions to remain in their homes. SHORTAGE OF NURSES IN GREYMOUTH. , Greymouth, November 19. Pneumonic influenza is still severe. The doctors are overtaxed, and there is a great shortage of nurses. There have been seven deaths since Saturday. The St. Columba Rooms have.been turned into an additional hospital, under the Sisters- of Mercy. The disease is also raging in the country districts, but its form is not so severe. Eight nurses are down at the general hospital. The heavy rain of the past week still continues. 800 CASES IN HASTINGS. Hastings, November 19. Captain Allan Bishop, military transport officer on the Wellington staff, died this 'morning of pneumonia. Three otlier deaths were reported during the night. There are seventy-throe inmates in the emergency.hospital at the racecourse, of which only four are serious, cases. It is officially estimated that there are 800 cases'in the town, mostly of a mild form. THE EPIDEMOTAUSTRALIA MOERAKI STILL HELD UP AT SYDNEY. Sydney, November 19. The Moeraki is still held up. More members of the crew have declined to sail, allegedly because of the influenza epidemic in New Zealand. The Union Company offered to place a doctor on board tne steamer and to recompense the crew for any quarantine delay in the event of an outbreak aboard—Press Assn. (Rec. November 19, 9.55 p.m.) Sydney, November 19. The departure of the Atua and the Moeraki has been indefinitely postponed, no crews being available.—Press Assn. RAVAGESJTUMERICA DEATH ROLL EXCEEDS ENTIRE U.S. WAR CASUALTIES. Washington, November 18. Influenza lias caused more American deaths to date than,the entire casualties to the American troops in France.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. generaTtteiiis VOLUNTEER WORKERS NEEDED. Major M'Cristoll, of the Defence Department, says that, volunteers to i\ork in the Sailors' Friend Society Hospital are needed. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' CLUB. As usual, when anything special is required for the welfare of Iho citizens at large, the Commercial Travellers have come to the fore, and for three days the club employees,' under the direction of Mr. Kushbrook (vice-president), have been a'ble to supply some 300 gallons of bovril soup and -1(J0 odd'bottles of lime drinks to the various hospitals in the city. In addition, the club members have put their motor-cars at the disposal of the club. These have been used f;>r conveying hospital assistants and Sisters from their different headquarters to the homes of people where a doctor was not obtainable at the moment. The club wish to publicly recognise the services of Dr. Grimm, surgeon, of the Moana, and Mr. J. B. Clarkson (who put his car at the doctor's disposal) for valu-

able assistance rendered on Monday night m Fast district (Mr. Foster, captain), when no other doctor was available. '

The organisation at liosensath and Oriental Bay is working smoothly, and serious caws are receiving prompt attention. The inhalation chambers ul Clyde Quay and Hoseneath Schools arc being well patronised, and applications for disinfcufcuits nn,d medicine are numerous.

Carelessness on the part of some pcoplo is illustrated by the action of some unknown individuals informing the police that a certain woman had died from the elfects of influenza. After much loss of valuable time it was discovered that the allegedly dead woman was still among the living, and in splendid health. Such carelessness as this may be the result of good intentions, but the authorities just now require and deserve accurate information. Another caso of carelessness—almost criminal—came to notice a couple of days ago. A passenger in a tramcar was greeted by a remark from an acquaintance, that the hitler had had three attacks of influenza, and was just up after two days in bed. The passenger promptly bade hi in an emphatic "Good day," and shifted to the other end of the car.

Anibulanccs .were busy yesterday transferring from "the Takapuna to the Seamen's Hospital at the Sa'ilors' Friend Society building, which has been equipped to accommodate a good number of patients.

A worker in a temporary hospital com plained bitterly about a so-called patient. The'man was found lying in a street in I'he vicinity of Tinakori Road by a Boy Scout. The Scout with characteristic promptitude secured a car, and had the man removed ro a hospital. A diagnosis was made, and it was discovered that the cough was what is known as a "whisky cough," and the collapse was due to excessive indulgence in spirits. A simple method of using sulphur as a disinfectant is being em cloyed by-the Anchor Shipping Company *ac Nelson, and has the approval of Dr-. Gibhs of that town. Flower ,pf sulphur in liquid form is placed in an iron pot, and calico, or any kind of rag, is steeped in it. Pieces of the treated material are then torn off and burnt on a shovel. For home use this is a cheap and effective fumigaiit.

A telephone message from Lower Hutt fast evening expressed tho confident opinion that "we are holding our own." The Wairarapa "Age" states that most of the shearing sheds in the Wairarapa arc- closing down owing to the influenza epidemic.

| A consignment of 80 cases of eggs, each ' containing 30 dozen, arrived bv the Mara- . roa yesterday from Christchurch to the, order of the Minister of Public Health. I 'V- , • 11 - s Pitals in the city were snp- : plied with a ohsiderable number during j the day, and a portion of the eonsi»nmeat was placed with the Mayor in I order that destitute and needy ipeopio might receive supplies. There is scarcely a family in Masterton and district that is not affected by the epidemic, and in numerous instance: whole households are down. lis abatement is not yet in sight, though the thorough organisations created to copo with the epidemic aro tending to materially minimise its dissemination.— "Wairarapa Age." As it is of tlie utmost importance that the services of the doctors should be put to the best use, application for medical aid should be* sent in as early as possible in the day. Strict attention to this rule would be of great assistance, as it would enable the doctors to plan out their day's work and save them from paying several visits to the same locality. Care should be taken to prevent doctors from being called in to attend mild and simple cases which might well be dealt with by voluntary .workers. The D.I.C. have installed an inhalation chamber for the use of its staff. The AVellington Central Committee lender tluV thanks to Mr. E. J. Hyams for Hie gift of six electric torches for the use of house visitors. The committee point out that the public should (realise that it is criminal at this period to call up doctors to their homes when.they are not .in urgent need of their advice. The doctors' time is overtaxed at the , present moment, and should only be used in very urgent cases. . The Wellington Central Committee ambulance telephone number is 1127.

The instructions of the Government that the bodies of people who die as a result'of the epidemic shall be buried immediately are definite, and every request made for a postponement of interment has been, and will be, refused absolutely. A proposal was made to tho Minister of Public Health yesterday that •iho body of a Mormon elder who died in tli? Waikato should bo flipped to America for burial. The application was refused, and a demand for immediate burial was made. Refusal was also given to a reqirest. from Auckland that the 'body of n brother of the late Hone Heke might be dispatched to. the fa:r north for interment. The Minister stated to a reporter that there are provisions in the Cemeteries Act permitting thc-exhumation of bodies after the lapse of a certain period of time. "In cases where, owing to the epidemic, bodies have been buried immediately, in localities distant from the deceased persons' home,", said the Minister, "the Government will bo prepared to consider, after a-suitable interval, applications for the exhumation of tho N bodies in order that they may be transferred to a family cemetery, wherever that may be." Four deaths had occurred at St. John's temporary hospital up to 5.30 p.m. yesterday.

Since Saturday there has been a steady daily decrease in the number of influenza cases on -vessels and among waterside workers. 'The newly-installed clearing station in the ferry waiting rooin'is saving a lot of unnecessary work, and facilitates the quick handling of cases. Yesterday seven seafaring men who were suspected cases .were examined. Three were sent to hospital and four aro remaining under observation.

The patients on the Takapunn were yesterday transferred to the Sailors' Friend Society hall and other emergency hospitals. Major M'Cristoll, of the Defence Department, announces the urgent need of voluntary workers at this new hospital, ,as the nurses at the Takapunn are overworked and cannot continue unless relief is given at once. Those who are fit and able to carry on this humane work should apply immediately to the Sailors' Friend' Society building. The closing of the wharf gates and the strict supervision kept on ail going on to the wharves has made thorn almost deserted. Several vessels carrying essential goods are being worked." A strict watch is also being kept on all persons boarding or leaving vessels in port, and all such persons -must produce an "inhalation certificate" when requested to do so. 'The fumigating and disinfecting of ships, stores, and wharves is being vigorously continued. The measures taken by the Health Committee .will, it is expected, lead to such an improvement of conditions as will permit of a general resumption of work on the waterfront. There is an urgent call for more women workers in the Mirnmar district.' Volunteers are asked to report at the Masonic Hall, Seatoun, where the Headquarters- of the division are situated. The hospital is now stationed at tho now school, which has been made very comfortable for patients. The work of preparing the building for its new and urgent functions was expeditiously carried out by the borough engineer and staff. Owing to the shortage of medical men in Wellington, Dr. Alice Gow, who has not been in practice for some time past, came forward and worked energetically on behalf of the district. Better organisations will now relievo her from part of her arduous duties. The Seatoun headquarters (tho Masonic Hall) is connectel day and night by telephone 2474), while tho Mirainar headquarters is at Mrs. M'Vicars residence.

Arrangements have been completed in connection with .converting the Anzao Club, Feathorston, into a hospital, and Mrs. A. H. Knowles l.as been placed in charge of the institution, with tho Rev. J. G. S. Bartlett as secretary. Only cases of urgency and isolated from help are dealt with at the hospital. The Mayoress is superintending the relief depot, with Mr. J. 11. Fieldhouse as secretary. It is generally believed that the epidemic has reached its height, and that a reduction in cases may be looked forward to from now onwards

Reports from /{elbiirn slate that every thing in that district is going on very satisfactorily.

Pliiniiierton is having its full share of the epidemic. Three Natives hare died, and there are said to be three serious European cases, and nearly fifty cases in all, Tho district has no medical man,

the nearest doctor being at Johnsonvillc Great dilncilly is being experienced in obtaining ijuinine, etc. Tlie church has been converted into a hospital, Mrs. Carpenter being in charge, and with her are a numbe.' of lady assistants. The Wellington Working Men's Club has come forward very generously with its resources to help the Town Hall workers. Great quantities ot soup and beef tea ha\c been supplied from the club kitchen, and the commitee is now organising n plant for the supply of soda water. The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Navy League are supplying comforts to the men located at the Seamen's Mission Hospital. Anyone desirous of contributing should ring telephone 2701 Parcels will ba called for. Suitable gifts are jellies, fresh eggs, custards, soup, and uarley water. The Island Bay Vigilance Committee request any boat-owners who may be fishing this week to send along a supply of fish to the Island Bay bowling green for distribution to patients in Island Bav and Berhampore. Gifts of jellies, soups, custards, etc., will be greatly appreciated at the Clyde Quay School. The correct telephone number of which is -19-ia. Inhalation chambers are now installed at the Masonic Hnll, Berhampore, and the Anglican Clubroo'm, Island Bay: Motor-cars for voluntary visiting writers are urgently wanted. Miss Maclean, matron-in-chief, appeals to all trained muses to report for service in charge of emergency hospitals or wards as soon as they can be freed from other private engagements. An influenza bureau has been established at St. Andrew's Schoolroom, 28 Wellington Terrace, the sole telephone number of which is 11113. Medium-sized bottles are urgently required, also beef tea, soups, barley water, etc. Offers of motor-care will lie gratefully accepted. The Johnsonville Vigilance Committee has established a temporary hospital depot for haste prescriptions at the Moore Brothers Hall, and the telephone number is 3713 (two rings). • ~ . So urgent was the need for medicines and coke for the electric light plants nt the Pieton and Blenheim Hospitals, liolii of which arc full with influenza natienls. that it was absolutely necessary to send to Wellington for the supplies that were still here owing to tho regular steamers being laid up. The Sounds steamer Admiral specially came across from Pieton yesterday to take back a stock of drugs, etc., and some tons of coke.