INFLUENZA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 55, 29 November 1918, Page 6

INFLUENZA

"RAPIDLY IMPROVING"

REVIEW BY THE MINISTER

WORK AMONGST THE MAORIS

WELL IN HAND

POSITION AS TO BUSINESSES AND

CHURCHES

"The position everywhere throughout the Dominion is improving rapidly," said the Minister of Public Health (the 'Hon. (j. W. Kussell) in the course of a statement to a Dominion reporter last? night. "Auckland is approaching normal conditions. The work of overtaking the epidemic in the Maori districts is now well in hand. The Hon. Dr. l'omare proceeded to-day to Olorohanga for the purpose of assisting in the work amongst the King Country Maoris. He will work his way southwards through the North Taranaki districts to the settlements around Hawera and Manaia, where' the epidemic has been severe amongst the Native race.

"All the reports go to show that the situation in Wellington is improving rapidly, and I sincerely trust that within a tew days we shall be able to close one or two emergency hospitals. The question of the spread of ihe disease to the children is engaging the close attention of the Health Department. I regret to say that there is a slight tendency in that direction, but it is not by any means becoming acute. In the South Island, the disease was not so. severe, and Christchurch, which was the most badly hit of the southern towns, shows a r.pid improvement in general conditions. Otago is improving, and f will become normal within a comparatively short period. From towns like Mataura, where a. few days ago the disease was reported t:: be rife, and very acute, the reports are that the position is very much easier and well in hand. Why Churches Must Remain Closed. "Numerous applications are coming in for the removal of the closure of various businesses. The most urgent calls are for the reopening of marble btrs, churches on Sunday evenings, and the resumption of country stock sales.' In each case, the applications have had to be declined for tlie present. The medical oiiicers of the Department have informed me' that these epidemics go in waves, and that we may expect, after the first and largest wave iias-. passed, other smaller waves, which will gradually die down.'? With this in view,.! do not propose to relax a single precaution that can be maintained tor the purpose of preventing the occurrence of the second wave. Marble bars are an attraction to women during the day and evening to congregate lor social purposes, and seeing that the severity of the epidemic was so recent, it would be a grievous mistake in my opinion to encounge the gathering of people under such circumstances until tue danger is completely ■passed. While this is the case, it is desirable ' that people should remain in their, homes as much as possible at night time, when the air is cold, and for this reason church meetings are prohibited, because there would be no logical grounds for opening the churches ami at the same time refusing to permit the holding of other Sunday night meetings. In the case of country stock auctions, although regret! ing tho- uccessity of temporarily disorganising the fanning business, it must be remembered that these gatherings bring together people front long distancss apart, thus providing a possibility of disseminating the disease amongst districts and lawilies which it has not touched hitherto. The Government does not want to delay the reorganisation of the trade of the country, on normal lines, but the safegunrdiag of the people from tho further ravages of this fell disease render it absolutely necessary that ivery possible step shall be taken to prevent ils recrudescence.

Granting of Financial Aid. "Applications have been coming in from relief committees and public bodies for financial assistance for those who have suffered as ,q result of the epidemic. The policy (hat has been laid down throughout has been that money expended by public bodies in the establishment of emergency hospitals, with the approval of the hospital boards of the (Litnct, would be recouped. This has implied the necessity of paying some of the workers who 'have- been engaged in discovery and relief work. A large number have patriotically and nobly volunteered for the work without thought of payment. At tho beginning of Hie epidemic it was laid down that money was to be no object so far as securing the effective treatment of the disease and preventing its spread. This policy has been literally carried out by the G'overnnient. It should be understood, however, that while paying the cost on the fines laid down, the Government cannot possibly accept any such principle as paying compensation, either for loss of employment or loss of business incurred through tho epidemic. No such proposal has ever been passed by any Parliament m tho world so far as I am aware. In many cases throughout the -Dominion persons have kindly placed their motor-cars at the disposal of the relict organisations for transport purposes, and wherever application- has been made the Government has agreed to supply petrol for this purpose. In addition, very large sums'Jiave been -e& ponded by the Government on citrus fruits, medicines, and on everything possible that would tend to cut down the cost. -I think that in paying the cost of the actual relief, and of medical, nursing, and hospial services, the Government is going as far as it can reasonably be asked to go. The responsibility' for the public health lies upon the local authorities, and it will be their business to shoulder entirely the whole responsibi lty or sanitary, hygienic, and other work involved in'cleaning their cities and towns for the purpose of subduing the epidemic. In connection with this phase of the subject, enormous assistance has teen given by the Defence Department in supplying equipment from their stores tor many of. the emergency hospitals that have been established. The policy that has been laid down is that in all cases application for repnvment of costs incurred must be forwarded through the hospital of the district, which, as far as possible, wijl be requested to certify to the accuiacy of the accounts. To show the necessity of keeping a tight rein on matters-of this kind, I may mention that one of the relief committees of Wellington has sent into the Department an Account for ,£lO3 for motor-car hire, alleged to 'oo' payable to one firm alone. In conclusion, I trust that duriii" the coming week.the position will be sufficiently clear for the Department to be able to lift tho embargo on a number of business that aro closed."

THE CRISIS OVER DIMINUTION IN DEATHS AND SERIOUS CASES OTHER PROBLEMS ARISE. Speaking to a Dominion reporter yesterday, tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated thai; there was now no doubt whatever that the critical time had passed. The epidemic was on the wane, and the only thing to be. done was for the community to take the greatest care of ihemselves In tho initial stages, and also when they were convalescent. There were, however, other problems arising out of the epidemic which they still had to deal with. One was the distress whioh had come upon families in those cases where both parents or perhaps only one had been removed by the effects of the malady they had been fighting for the pa.st'fortnight or more. There were children bereft of the breadwinners who had to be provided for now and hereafter and provided with homes. In a fewcases already they had been called upon fo pay the rent as well as provide food and clothing, and in many cases it was a case of necessity to, provide food. When the question 'was raised as to the providing cj financial assistance in cases of proved necessity—and such cases were occurring in some of (he districts— the Mayor stated that each group was, thruugh the Mayor, provided with an

imprest nccomit on which to draw where ciuos of necessity aroso and prompt ac- • lion had to lie taken, in which connjetion each group was empowered to act on its own responsibility tlirough its group captain. DISTRICT REPORTS GENERAL IMPROVEMENT RECORDED A great improvement upon earlier conditions was reported yesterday "t the busy Wellington Central depot. There tho place ot Mr. P. Fraser, ALP., Ims been taken by Mr. Stickney during the former's illness. '.Mr. Stickney isaid yesterday that very satisfactory reports had been received from all visitors, and that new cases were few and far between. The strain of the past weok or two. though, had told upon more than one of the voluntary helpers, and some lia<l broken down. While a seventy-five per cent, abatement of the epidemic in the district might be recorded (said Mr. Stickney) tho question of for families who had lost their bread-winners temporarily or permanently was n pretty serious one. On .AVodnesday evening it had been necessary for the committee to appeal to tho Mayor for funds, and although a donation of .£IOO had been forthcoming, that would only relieve the position for a time.. The wants of families consisting sometimes of six members had to be supplied, and donations of food were urgently required. Wellington Central 1 being a district where casual labourers were numerous, the amount of distress to be alleviated was very considerable: It was pointed out that Mr. C. Bary personally invesiigates cases where there is apparently a need for financial assistance, and assures himself on behalf of the committee that the case is duly urgent. One direction in which funds have often to be spent is the outfitting of children who are being sent to hospital or to a home. Whore the little 'ones are destitute of clean clothing they have to bo provided with 6ome from the funds. As in other districts,, there is still a large demand in Wellington Central for donations of the indispensable beef-tea and eggs for the sick, Wellington South. At Wellington South yesterday Mr. H. A. Parkinson gave an assurance that matters in general were progressing very well. The "convalescents at St. Thomas's Schoolroom were doing well, and the Wellington South Convalescent Home was now fully organised and. working smoothly. Very generous donations of supplies enabled tho depot to keep families in distress well cared for. One of the most urgent needs at present was motor-cars. Supplies that might have been stnt out earlier had had to be delayed owing to a shortage o{ cars. Among' tho donations received by the committee are the following:—From various, anonymous donors, JE2 ss. (id.; Mr. M'Gregor; 10s.; Mr. Walker, 2s, Od.; Mr. and Mrs. Williamson, .£10; Mr. Quinton, .£1; Mr. Jenkins. .£1; Mr. Muter, .£2 25.; Mr. liae, Mr. Lynch, .£1; Mr. Bennett, 55.; Mr. and Mrs. Green, £5; Lieutenant Sawle, .£1; Mr. Oxlev, .£1; Mrs. Miller. £1; Mr. Crengel, £1 Is. The committee has also received the following supplies;— Milk daily from Mr. Martin; soup, broth, and milk daily from the D.1.C.; bnvril, etc., daily from the Commercial Travellers' Club.; furnishings for recreation room at South Wellington from the Y.M.C.A.; and innumerable smaller gifts from other helpers. Wellington East. "The best day wo've had yot," was the cheering report from Wellington East. There wore no new serious ensesj and such serious cases as,did exist were few. The care of convalescents was beginning to be the principal work of the helpers. Roseneath and Oriental Bay. "Influenza appears to have .been pretty nearly cleared out of lioseneath and Oriental Bay district," said i\r, J. J. M'Grath yesterday. "We liavo had an i excellent day, and all our convalescents arc doing well. We expected to have : them off our hands in about a week. Mr. M'Grath also stated that the sani- < tary inspectors have completed (he house- " to-houso inspection of -the district, and 1 are now spraying all infected houses. Their report will be available next week. The committee, which till now has made no appeal to residents in the district for funds, is now prepared to accept voluntary donations. It acknowledges receipt of the following gifts:—Anonymous, £n; W. J. ITelyer, .£3; the Mayor's distress Fund, .£25; Da-j)s and Clnter, goods, £3 to the Tolley Fund; Mrs. M. E. Camp, bell, Hawke's Bay, ,£10; D. J. Nathan, £>; R.D., £2 2s.

Wellington North. The Rev. Robertson Orr reports that the calls for doctors, nurses, and helpers continue, but in a lessening degree. Six new cases were reported yesterday, but all are mild. Financial help is i rgoutly nceded to meet several distressing' case's in the district. In one case the father is .lead and the mother left with five young children, and in another instance the mother is left with four children, nother.important matter is the treatment and care no! convalescents. The committee has many cases in hand already, but more could be taken if Hie committee had the m»«"n- «"..-„>.'.il help. Thankful acknowledgment is v made of the following donations-—Jlr. Lan Duncan. ,£lO 10s.; Mr. G. Pirie, vES 55.; Mr. J. H Jack, £2 25.; Miss Barry, ,£2; Anonymous, J!l; Anonymous. 10s. Seatoun. "A model hospital" is what a visiting official termed the temporary hospital in the new school at Seatoun.' 1 There is a sensible diminution of new cases, and yesterday afternoon there were only seven patients undergoing treatment, and all were doing well. 'Especially good work has been done in this district by Messrs A. Smith, George I.auclilan, T." O. Fox, and E. Kellow, who have been untiring in their efforts from the initiation of tho organisation.- The district is also grateful for splendid work done by Dr. Alice Goiv and the ladies in charge'of the temporary hospital.

Lower Hutt and Petone. No fresh cases have been admitted to the hospital at Lower Hutt, and both there and at Petone the epidemic is rapidly abating. Few' i.ew cases are being reported, and none of a serious character. Drs. Heelur and Mason aro steadily improving, but Dr. M'Domild's condition was reported to be about the same. Dr. Anson has been assisting in urgent cases, and Colonel (Dr.) Purity has given the local committee valuable advice and assistance.

Subsequently inquiries were made as to whether such imprest accounts were in existence for district captains to operate upon, and the reply was in the negative. The only funds group committees had handled were those derived from donations and from moneys received for the sale of medicine, disinfectanls, fruit, etc. (those ablo to pay being charged). It was probable that Mr. Luke referred to such money, for no other sum of money had been placed at the disposal of group captains in the form of imprest accounts. This matter will probably bo referred to the meeting of group captains to bo held in the Mayor's room at noon to-day. One group cantnin said that he had received several donations during (ho' campaign, and had disbursed the whole of. them, and even more, in relieving case& of acute distress. The Hospital and Charitable. Aid Board was affording very valuable aid, but there wore some people in really necessitous circumstances who "jibbed' al the word charity, and would not be assisted in that way. No Ambulance Cases. Mr. Luke reported, as an indication of the improved conditions, that there had been no ambulance cases during the preceding night. It was the first night since the outbreak of the epidemic that this had been the case. On the Waterfront. There was n clean sheet as regards fresh cases of influenza reported on local shipping yesterday. At the Sailors' Friend Society Hospital, there are twenty patients, all of whom are reported to be doing uicoiy. A deatli occurred last night. STATE "OTHOSPITAiS VACANCIES INCREASING. The Public Health report on I lie activities of the temporary hospitals for the Iwenty-fonr hours ended at. noon yesterday showed that I here had teen only nine deaths, as against sixteen t.hei day before, and nineteen on the preceding day. There were still in the temporary hospitals 3117 pationts at noon yesterday,

and during the .preceding twenty-four hours there had been 37 admissions and 1!G discharges. The numbers of vacant beds in these places were as follow:— • ~ , Males, females. Sydney Mrcot 17 —. St. John's — 10 Wellington College ... 17 — • St. Patrick's College ... 27 - Normal School — > £ Seamen's Institute S — Brooklyn School 7 7 Totals 76 21 The vacancies for patients in the convalescent homes were as follow:~ Males, females. Wellington S'th School 21 - Oriental Bay — g Salvation Army College — 3 St. Thomas's 11 — St. Anne's 8 — Totals JO 11 During the twenty-four hours ended nt noun yesterday there were 24 admissions to homes and 15 discharges, / IN MCAMPS NUMBER OF CASES DECLINING. The position in the three military camps. in the Wellington district continues to improve, and the number of those suffering from the malady is ratiidly declining. Some 239 men were .in hospital at Trentham yesterday, and of these 180 were suffering from influenza, 15 being serious cases. One death occurred during the 24 hours ended yesterday morning. At Featherston there were 239 men in hospital, 190 being influenza cases. There wero twenty-one serious cases. Gratification is expressed by the military medical officers at the great improvement in the situation, and it is hoped that wilhin a very short time the disease will have entirely disappeared. The health report is as follows-.— Trentham. Paraded sick 5 Admitted hospital 1 Remaining in hospital 180 Serious eases 15 Featherston. Paraded sick 1G Admitted to hospital 1 Remaining in hospital 190 Serious cases 21 v, Awapuni. Paraded sick 0 Remaining in hospital 15 Serious cases 0 SOLDIERS' DEATHS. Advice has been received that 78,609 Alfred S. Brewer (ied at Trentham Military , Camp yesterday morning. Deceased was single, and 2G years of age. The next-of-kin is Mrs. R. Brewer, Anstell, Cornwall.

Advice has been received that 2/478 Sergeant Hugh Simmons, a discharged soldier, died at Victoria Ward, Wellington Hospital,, on November 27, the cause of death being pneumonia following influenza. Deceased was 25 years of age and married, the next-of-kin being Mrs. Simmons, 27 Rugby Street, Wellington.

Advice has been icceived from the Camp Commandant, Narrow Neck Camp, Devonport, that 84,718 Private T. Tahi, Maori reinforcements,'died at Fort Cautley on November 22. The next-of-kin is Tira Tahi (mother), Waiuku, Auckland.

Advice has been received from Headquarters that 49,323 Private James B. E. Beck, a discharged soldier, died at Waivia on November 14. Deceased was 23 years of oge and single, his next-of-kin being James Beck (father), Wairio, Southland.-

Advice has been received that 8/1246 Private Edwin A. Granfield died at Otaki on November 21 from pulmonary tuberculosis. Deceased was a returned discharged soldier. He was, 24 years, of age and single, his. next-of-kin being Mr. B. Granfield (father), Otaki.

llnse Records Office has received from Group Area, Hokitika, a telegram correcting the memorandum of November 22, notifying "the death of 44,180 Rifleman A. Winchester, and advising that the man who died was 23,005 Rifleman T. B. "Winchester, whose next-of-kin is William Winchester (father), Ross.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

The Minister of Public Health (Hon. G. \V. fiussell) stated in the House of' .Representatives, in reply to a question put by Mr. J. P. Luko (Wellington North) that ho was obtaining reports with a view to ascertaining what classes of cases ought to receive assistance from tho Government in connection with the influenza epidemic. When tho reports had been received the matter would be placed before Cabinet for consideration.

Dr. Timelier (Christchureli East) suggested in the House of Hepresentativcs that the Government should make immediate advances to the local authorities in connection with the influenza epidemic, which had involved many of thorn in much expenditure.

The Minister of Finance (Sir Joseph Ward) said that ho would be glad to bring the matter before Cabinet. The Government would want information about expenditure, but it had already shown its willingness to help as far as it couldTHE KIDDIES AT KELBURN .The Receiving Home for Children at the ICelburn Training College is very busy (reports Mr. ,T. S. Tenifant, principal of the college). Up till 10 o'clock last evening 80 children had been put •through. At present in the institution there are 3a, while there are 35 at the Miramar Home. Five children are out in hospital, and five have been sent home. In the creche at Kelburn are seven babies, ranging in age from o'no week to nine months. In passing it may be noted that the authorities at Kelbyrn would be glad to have more definite and accurate information regarding eacr child sent up . Children aro still coming in in largo numbers. The real effects of tho neglect of tho last two weeks on the children in the city aro just beginning .to be felt, and tho authorities at Kelburn expect at least another thirty or forty arrivals. The institution has accommodation for 100. Sire. G. B. Hunter is in charge at Kelburn and Miss Gray Maitland at Miramar. Colonel Valintine and Miss M'Lean visited Kelburn on Wednesday, while visitors to the institution yesterday included the Mayoress and Miss Myers. Gifts for the home have been received from many kindly donors, and for theso the authorities have been deeply grateful and appreciative. As an example of rapid mobilisation it may bo mentioned that although permission'to establish tho home was only received at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, by I o'clock that afternoon half a dozen babies had been received, washed, and fed, and by 10 o'clock the number had risen to twenty.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

INHALATION 7 CHAMBERS. The inhalation chamber in the Commercial Bank chambers on Lambton Quay was dismantled yesterday. The nearest chamber for mid-city people now is that, established by the G.P.O. in Nathan's Building. The inhalation chamber at St. Andrew's Schoolroom has also been done awny with. Wellington North residents are advised that the chamber in tho Artcraft Theatre is still available. The Wellington Central Committee, acknowledges with thanks gifts of cigarettes from Mrs. M'Cardle, Myers and Co.. Ltd.. Bannatyin and Hunter, and J. Nathan rtnd, Co., for the use of the patients in St. John's Hospital. The committee will gladly receive gifts of beef tea and other invalids' food. The official doctors.for the districts of Island Bay and Berhampore are Dre. Perkins, Line, and Kemp. The Berhampore headquarters are at the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Eoad; telephone HIGH (two rings). The headquarters of the Island Day district is at the Bowling Club; telephone 'l(i(>0 (two rings). . Householders are asked to report all influenza cases to the Council Chambers;' telephone 2201. Mr. C. Bary, treasurer of the Central Distress Fund, acknowledges the following contributions to the Wellington Central Distress Fuiidi-Mr. Campbell, _C 1; . Mr. Wood, ,£1 Ills.; small amounts, 7s. Gd.; the Mavor's Belief Fund, X' 100; Air. S. B. Short, J!!) lis.; Ellis and Mejiiton, £a 55., making a total of .£220 9s. Further donotions are urgently needed to meet the distress in Wellington Central.