EPIDEMIC BEING BEATEN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 49, 22 November 1918, Page 6

EPIDEMIC BEING BEATEN

! STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF , HEALTH. : ; "All the information I am receiving ' Min 'ster of Public ttealth (Hon. G. Wrßussell) veste'rdny ifternoon, "is to the effect that while .he position is -still serious, yet in the argec centres the organisation that has been set up and the efforts that are. beng made are practically beating the epilemic. I hope that within a week tho position will- be very much more satisactory. At the present time the dan;erou9 places are the Maori districts n'nd jome of the back-block »ettlements, vhere the difficulties arising through the vant of a medical service aro being ;everely felt. The greatest difficulty in lealing with the Maori population. is jaused by the fatalism which appears to >e inherent in them in times 'of sickless. In some districts, also, there is j want of proper sanitary conditions. I'he work that has been done $>y the lealth Department in the past few years n sending Maori nurses and inspectors nto the various kaiangas has been eflec:ive up to a. certain point, but it is evifent that much remains to bo done in irder to get the Maori to realise the ad'antage of sanitation and hygienic conlitions."

The Minister added that in consequence if information received from Waiwetu ilajor Keenan and an inspector from the llealth Department visited 'hat district resterday in order to talce flic necessary iieasures for accommodating side Naives, some of whom have refused to imdergo treatment. • i "LIKE -WAVES AFTER A STORM" i HOW THE EPIDEMIC WILL SUBI -SIDE.. [ A medical man, referring to the ilncuations;in the number of eases reported ,aily by tho district organisations, said I peculiarity of the influenza epidemic rould be noticed in periods of violent .ctivitv, and short intervals of a few jays of comparative inactivity. Jt would ie as the wave 3 of the ocean after , a torm, each wave would, after ihe crisis; •ecome less and less, until finally the aim would ensue, and the epidemic ;ould become a mattor of history. ■ Welington was probably now experiencing he worst of the but some /eelis would elapso before it would be ble to'show a clean bill of health.

: "KEEP THE FLAG FLYING" HOULD THE WHOLE COMMUNITY ; BE ORGANISED? :Tho heavy rain last night was disjnctly unfavourable for tlio voluntary ;orkers attached to district groups, but 3w of them flinched on that score, mrrying. this, way afid that wherever uty called, and bringing kindly aid and iistenance to thoso in dire need'he example set by those at work last igh't was distinctly .praiseworthy, and 'as .a. lesson to the many who so far ave hung back in-the face of the very rgent appeals that aro being made for lore helpers, and still more., When lie public realises the full significance

of tho blow that is being struck at all by the epidemic tliore will bo no hanging back. With desporato appeals still being made for real workers, without tho response that should follow it was suggested in more than ono miarter yesterday that tho wliolo of the community should be organised, and thoso who wore not omployed by reason of their avenues of employment having been closod, should bo forced to help, in fairness to those u'ho are so faithfully keeping tho flag flying. * Wellington Control in particular is still in need of more voluntary workers. Additional voluntary molor-cars (petrol is supplied free) are also needed, and also in Wellington East. GERM OF THE DISEASE ESTABLISHED BY BACTERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. . By Telegraph—Press Association. . Dunedin, November 21. Dr. Bowio states that bacteriological investigations have definitely established the disease, nnd, shoir it to be the same organism as in' practically all authenticated roports from Britain, Europe, and Australia. The germ is known, and medical authorities know how to deal with it. GENERAL HOSPITAL REPORTS A LOW DEATH-BATE. At the meeting of {lit! Hospital Committee of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board held yesterday afternoon Dr. Barclay (superintendent) reported that during the month of October 35 eases of influenza were admitted to the General Hospital, none of whom died. From November 1 to 20 245 cases of influenza' weie admitted, 32 of whom had died. This mortality rate was duo to tho fact that most of the eases were very seriously ill when admitted to the Hospital. Apart from the moribund cases the mortality had been slight. The . November cases included those from the Pacific Cable Board's steamer Tris, which iwere all very serious, and which were not really Wellington eases at all. the vessel having arrived here from Auckland with the malady. It was reported to the committee that there were now 21 voluntary aid workers assisting in the Hospital, but more were required. THE TEMPORARY HOSPITALS THEIR BED CAPACITY. ■Wellington has now a. formidable array of temporary hospitals, all of which are filled. The following is a list of them and the number of beds they are equipped with:— Wellington College 105 Normal School (Thorndon) 91 St. John's Schoolroom 67 St. Patrick's College 48 Sydney Street Hall 41 Missions to Seamen 35 Brooklyn State School 32 Johnsonville (Moore's HaU) 23 Alexandra Hall 20 "Seatcun School 10 Total 472 Tn addition to the above there are in existence at the present time the following convalescent homes:— St. Thomas's nail 35 St. Anne's Hall 30 Levin Convalescent Home 24 Salvation Army Training College 1G Total 105 The Children's Home, at the Miramar Golf Club's house has beds ready for 4G children. THE CLEANSING OF THE CITY RESPONSIBILITY OP THE INDIVIDUAL. The Mayor reported last evening that the municipal head of the work tuat was being undertaken in connection with tho cleansing of the .city would be. the City Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton), who would advise district inspectors (voluntary)*of what steps to take when they encountered problems in the'course of their duties, which they were .bound to do. Mr. Morton had consented to take up this work though he was very much hampered by the depletion of his own staff (only two were left on the engineer's staff), and the tramways trouble, which did not appear to be getting much better. This work would go on as far as circumstances permitted, but it behoved every individual citizen to do his utmost to clean up his own premises, remembering the old Scotch adage: "If each would clean his ain doorstep The village would be clean." Owing to the shortage of manual labour it might be difficult to get to all places ns soon as people would like, but the best effort would be made to clear up the rubbish.

The Mayor strongly -urged all householders to burn their own rubbish as far as .was possible, as there was nothing like fire as a cleanser. If there were large quantities to burn they would have to notify and obtain the permission of the superintendent of the fire brigado (Mr. H. Tait), who would tell them when tho weather was suitalfte and what safeguards to take. Others could doubtless burn in the.copper tires a lot of rubbish that was at present being piled' into rubbish tins and left for days on end in the backyards. Mr. Morton had been given full powers, and he would not bo hampered in his wojrk by regulations or monetary considerations, At the same time, every individual must get to work on his own place and leave no lurkingplaces for tho foul germs thac wece decimating the community. Mr. Luke said that his many duties prevented him from leaving tlie Town Hall for any great length of time, but from the reports which had been furnished him during the day he could confidently say that the organisation so happily arranged a week ago was'ooing great work, and tho tone among the workers was a little more hopeful than for .some days past. He did not look for any immediate cessation of the epidemic, but the work that was being done would have a very salutary effect in breaking down the attack of this invisible enemy of mankind. What he would advise everyona to do was to meet the stress boldly, in a cheerful spirit, and in a mood of .mutual helpfulness. CARE OF THE CHILDREN. DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS BUSY. Yesterday saw the district organisations get busy with a fresh responsibility—the care of those children who through the ravages of the epidemic had been bereft of parents, or who had been left helpless as the result of their parents being struck down by Ilia disease. As was supposed this duty will be a very light one in somo of the districts, whilst the case may be precisely the reverse in others, notably perhaps in Wellington Central and South. Mr. William Foster (Wellington East) said that in response Jo his advertisement in yesterday morning's paper he had received offers to accommodate such children from residents of Wellington Hast, Kelburn, Newtown, and even from far away I'etone, but up till 2 p.m. theyhud not been able to discover any children who were not being adequately taken care of, which was a tribute to the humanity of tho people of the district. AT MIRAMAR. Major M'Cristell reported last evening that seven children had been sent out to the Children's Home at the Minima r golf house, and whoa lie had left there they were nil "as happy as Larry" in. their new and ■ altogether delightful" home. Other children weTe tn have been sont out later in the cvoninp. All applications for the .'idmission of children to the new homo must so through headquarters (telephone _2o(MV, and no visitors are to be i-llowed in thn home witfiottt a special pn.«s issued by headquarters, a precaution dictated by a desire to protect the little ones from inFeciinn. Anyone desiring 'to contribute anything in the/way of toys or clothing for the children must do so through the Mayove-s at the Town Hull. Already Mr. Sidney TCirkcnldie (of Kirkcaldie and Slains) had contributed n_ big parcel of toys, which arc already giving immensuvol joy to Ihe youngsters. The renuisito nnrtieulars to be forwarded with applications (through thn carious groiins) are the name, age, sax of each child, together with the names of their parents (dead or alive) other guardians or next-of-kin, irith the ad-

(tresses of same, so that a complete identification register could bo kept of all the children. DEATHS OF SOLDIERS PEAWIEKSTON CAMP. Advico has been received from Peathvrston Military Camp that tho undermentioned men have died there, tho cause of death being in all acses influenza :— 82,550 Pte. John Daniel (47th New Zealand Field Artillery), 20 years of age, November 21 (Mr. A. J. Daniel, father, 22 Manchester Slireel, Pctone). 3/3123 Pte. J. O. Ambrose (N.Z.M.C.), 20 years of age, November 21 (Mrs. C. Crawford, sister, Mount-Eden, Auckland). 78,158 Pte. John J. lowe (canteen staff), 2S years of age, November "0 (Mrs. C. Rouse, sister, Ohakune). 73,323 Dvr. David Arthur (Army Service Corps), 28 years of age, November 21 (Mrs. A. Arthur, mother, Irivorcnrgill). 71,110 Sgt. William J. Taylor (•14th Specialists Company), 21 years of ago, November 21 (Mirs. P. M. Taylor, mother, Dunedin). Lieut. John A. Black (camp postmaster, Tauherenikau), November 21. Cause of death not stated. (Miss Jessie Black, Wellington). 92,521 Gunner Rolond W. M'Adam (49th New Zealand Field Artillery), November 20.. Cause of death not stated. (William C. M'Adam. Mount Eden, Auckland.) 91,196 Pte. Georgo Robinson (B Company, 40th Reinforcements), November 20. Cause of death,' broneho-pneu-nionia, (Mrs. E. M. Robinson, Dunedin.) TRENTHAM CAMP. Advioe has 'been' received from Treiitliarn Military Camp that the following died on Wednesday from influenza and pneumonia:— 92,!)06 •Pte. John P. O'Neill, 27 years of age and single (C. O'Neill, Hastings). 01,263 Staff Sergt. 'George E.) Ripkard (Army Pay Corps], .W years of age and married (Mrs. E. J. Richard, Heretaunga). MISCELLANEOUS. ; Advice has been received from the Defence Office,-Auckland, that 27,631 Lieut. Henry F. Edgecombe died at Te Awamutn. on November 15. Ho was 42 years of age, the next-of-kin being Mirs. Louise Margaret N. Edgecombe, wife, To Awnmutu. Advice has been received from the Medical Superintendent, 'Auckland, that 28,743 Pte. Ernest V. Lye died at Auckland Hospital on November 19. Deceased was a discharged soldier. He was SI years of age and single, the next-of-kin being Mr. J. Lye, Mornington, Dunedin. Advice has been received from the Defence Office, Auckland, that 39,569 Ali'red H. Walton died'at his father's residence, 12 Macanley Street, Newton, on November 15, the cause of death being bronchitis, the result of being gassed. Deceased was 31 years of age and single, and a discharged soldier. Advice has been received from tho Defence Office, Auckland, thai 12/3485 John PI. Stone, a discharged soldier, died at Otahuhu pn November 13. Decea.wd was 28 years of age, his next-of-kin being his wife, Mrs. J. H. Stone, Papatoetoe, Auckland. •

Advice has been received from tho Defence Office, Auckland, that 26,863 John H. Lee,' a discharged soldier, died on November 17. He was 29 years of age, and his next-of-kin is his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Lee, Avondale. Advice, has been received from the Defence Office, Auckland, that 12/390 Kenneth. C. Warm,, a discharged soldier, died on November 18.

Advico has been received from the Defence Office, Auckland, thai 13/271' Sergeant George S. Bagnall, a discharged soldier, died at his parents' residence, Ponsonby, on November 18. Deceased was 31 years of age and single. Advice has been received from the Defence Office, Auckland, that Second Lieutenant Harvey 'A. Twining, struck off the strength of N.Z.E.F., died on November 19, the cause of death being h?art failure, the effect of having been gassed. Deceased was 25 years of ayo, his next-of-kin being-his wife, Mrs. Maud Edith Twining, Auckland.

Advico has been received from the Defence Office, Auckland, that 1450 Edmund' .T. White, late of the Australian Forces, died at Auckland on November 19, the cause of death being influenza'. His next-of-kin is hi 6 wife, Mrs. Wtfite, Grey Lynn.

Advice has been received from .the Group Commander, Defence Office, Whangarei, that 12/326 Sergeant-major Austin E. Co.akley, temporary staff, died at Whangarei Hospital on November 11, the causs of death being influenza and pneumonia. . He was thirty years of age and single, .his next-of-kin being his mother, Mrs. J. Coakley, Thames.

Advice has been received that 33,423 rua that 3/3679 Private Charles E. M'C'.enaghan, (lied at the Military Hospital, Rotorua, on November 20, the cause -of death being broncho-pneumonia following influenza. He was 38 years of age and single, his next-of-kin being Mr. Joh.i M'Clenaghan, Rnngiwakia, via Mangawekn. Deceased was a discharged soldier.

Advice has been received that 33423 Mathjas ,T. M'Manus, a discharged soldier, died on November 17, at 8. Wingfield Street, Wellington. He wns 37 years of age and single, his next-of-kin being Mrs. J. M. Barry (sister), King's County, Ireland.