THE OVERCROWDING EVIL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 50, 23 November 1918, Page 6

THE OVERCROWDING EVIL

WHAT THE EPIDEMIC HAS HHVEALED. One crying evil that has been emphasised by the epidemic is that of overcrowding and, consequently, a lack of hygienic conditions. In conversation with a Dominion representative yesterday, an official of one of the organisations formed to combat the epidemic de-

scribed the stale of affairs in portions of bis district as shocking. There were whole row;; of houses, he said, which needed destruction—in fact, a fire would do good amongst them. "Some day they . will liavo to lie burned down,',' he added. ■"That would bo the best way to get rid of fiuoh slums." Old and insanitary houses—hovels would be a better namo to apply to them—were crowded with human beings, and when such a decimating influenci! as the present epidemic presented itself it was not to bo wondered at that its victims were many.. Out of one street at least one person suffering from the malady had been taken from each dwelling. Ignorance of what to do when seized with illness was another factor which only served to enhance tho virulence of the epidemic. Despite all that had been published on the point there were still a number of people who had not tlie slightest notion as to what, measures ; to adopt when the trouble was in ifs incipient stages. Especially was this truo of young men livins in boardiughouses and' in "batches." When (hey first felt ill, instead of going to bed and trying to obtain the services of a doctor, they simply wont about their daily routine until they could work no longer, by I winch tin'ie the disease, had probably I taken such a hold that recovery wa.i almost out. of the question. .For instance, on a recent evening some helpers went to a place where several of tli» ximates were ill, and in one .room they found three young men, all of whom were in a delirious eomlilion. These sufferers had simply failed to take the necessary precautions, and had not, notified anybody that they needed attention. Such instances were not. rare, and they added 'gre.itly to the work of those who vero i striving their hardest to banish the 1 disease from the city. It should be borne in mind that all householders requiring assistance-of any kind are requested to hans; outside their front door n white flag. A handkerchief or a piece of white material will be sufficient, so that it can be clearly seen from the street. Any person seeing sue.n a flag flying is asked to inquire if it is medical assistance or food that is required, and then to report by telephone to the officer commanding the district, giving the name of the occupier, etc.