STATE OF HOSPITALS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 58, 3 December 1918, Page 6

STATE OF HOSPITALS

Yesterday's report on the temporary hospitals recorded that eight deaths hail occurred during the twenty-four hours up till luion .vesk-rday. The vacancies at the hospitals ut noon were ns follow-.— Males. I'emales. Svdnoy Street Hi . Wellington College .... 22 8 S(. I'ntrick's 29 - Normal Seluiol — '. 6 Missions (o Seamen ... 26 — linmkl.vn G 8 '" 97 23 The admissions were nine and the disI'hnrges nineteen. The vni'aneies in the convalescent hornet) wore:— 11 ales. Females. Orienliil Bny — 5 SnlriiLioii Army — — AVgln. South Si-hnol .. Mfi — St. Thnmns's .Hall ... 18 - St. Aime's 12 — IN THrTcAMPS POSITION STILL IMPROVING. There are now lew than 300 enses cf inlluonzn in the hospitals in the throe military rnmps in (he Wellington MiliUvrv nisti'iel.. Only four men paraded sick veiford/iv, and one wi<! ndmitted to hospital at Frathorstoii. The number/f snrinus enses in the canins-nuni'bprM'lG. Oiif death occurred at Trf't'inm dnrinsj the tivpiijy-fotir hours ended yesterday mnniin.'r. The health report is as follows:— .Awapuni. Pnrntlcd sick : fl in hospital 1G Serious cases 0 Deaths 0 Trenthmn. Paraded sick 2 ' Admitted to hospital \ 0 T?emaining in hospital , 00 Serious cases i 2 Deaths 1 1 Featherston. Pnra'Vd sick 2 AdmCed to hospital 1 Remaining in hospital 170 Serious cases W. Deaths "0 SOLDIERS' DEATHS Advice has been leceived from Trentham SKlitary Camp that 92,809 Private John j:iatdon Price, "C" Company, Fiftieth Eeinforcements, died there on November 29. from influenza and pneumonia. Deceased was 20 yearsof age and single. His next-of-kin is Mrs. Trice, Wanganui.

The death, of 3KJ852 Sergeant Alexander Gordon Lloyd, New Zealand Jfedienl Corps, from cerebrospinal meningitis has been reported from Fentherston Military Camp. Deceased died on Saturday morning. His next-of-kin is Mrs. M." Lloyd, 79a Majoribanks Street, Wellington. Advice has been received from Headquarters, Christchurch, that. G/242 Albert .Tames Gridley died at Christclnirch Hospital on November 26. Deceased was 26 years of age and 1 an .'indiscliarged soldier. His next-of-kin |; E. ,T. Gridley {brother), Tua Marina. Deceased was the possessor of the Military Medal. Advice from flroup Area, Invercwill, states that 8/m Walter William Stiles, a discharged soldier, died at the Southland Hospital on November 18. Dccervsed -was 2p yea.rs of lige and single. His next-of-kin is his father, Wnlter William Stiles, Georgetown. Inverenrgill. 32.825 James Charles Cunningham, an undischarged soldier, died at the Southland Hospital on November 24. He was 23 years of nae and single, his next-of-kin being Mrs. M. A. Cunningham (mother), Grassmere.

Advice has been received from Headquarters, Dune'lin, Hint '16,772 Private Chnrrlps M'Quilkan, a discharged soldier, diod at Balfour on November 17. Deceased was 21 years of aee and single, his next-of-kin Ix?ing his mother, M. A. M'Ouilkan. Balfour, Southland. The death has l;een reputed of I/Ml William John Smith, who died at his homo on Saturday. Deceased was 28 years of n.ee nnd single, his next-nf-kin bp.im>. B. W. Smith, 35 Hopner Street, Wellington. He was a discharged soldier.

22.071 Private \rthur Goorce M'Kenzie, a discharged soldier, (iied at the Miraniar Convalescent Home on November 30, the cause of death being influenza and pneumoirk. He wns 22 years of aso, his noxt-of-kin beintr his mother, Mrs. E. M'Kenzie, Dunedin. A'lvice has been "cceived from Offieer-in-fllinr.<re' Sick n<>d Wounded Department. Defence Office, Invnronvjnll Hint 8/2857 Private Frederick -William Croft, nn undischarged soldif\ died nt il\e Southland Hospital on November 2(5. Deceased's next-of-kin is bis rp"ther, Mrs. E. A. Gentleman. Tnverc«vcriT|. 8/2175 Private David Wb>, n disoh".r?cd soldier, died nt SonfhbiH Hospital on November. 17. He was 28 years of nrre, and his next-nf-fon is A. Anderso" ff'io"d), Tnvercm-dll. " ' .56.558 Serconnt Andrew .gnoular Flemin? dwl on Nov'iibnr ?f>. Deceased was n. discharged sold'".'- and single. a"d was 24 years nf aeo. His nnxt-of-ki" i= Thomas A. Fleming (brother), Waikaita, Southland. < FINANCE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Finance Committee was held at Central Headquarters in the Town Hall yesterday. His Worship tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P.) presided. The statement submitted to the meeting showed that donations received at the Town Hall <npart from donations received 'by the various groups) amounted to .£1135 ss. up to November 30. Voluntary contributions made according to their means by recipients of comforts from the Town Hall kitchen totalled £i 6 12s. Id. Other receipts were: From sale- of medicines, .£3O; from sale of liquor, ,£!)3 15s. Id. The Mayor reported that he had paid out =£410 10s. 9d., and the meeting endorsed his action. "Sundry payments," representing principally relief granted to urgent cases, amounted to ,£B2. The cash remaining in hand stood at ,£Bl2 13s. 3d.

The Mayor informed a Dominion rejjrcBcntntive Hint a largo number of accounts, representing several hundreds of pounds, hnd yet to be met. The accounts included inrge ones for motor-car hire- nnd benzine. With reference to tho item of benzine, His Worship observed that the ambulances got all their supplies at the Town Hall, Incidentally, to givo eoino idea of the volume of work performed, he mentioned that up to eighteen ambulances, and eight motorcars Iliad been operating from Town Hall at tho one time. A.ROYAL COMMISSION SUGGESTION IN PARLIAMENT. The selling up of n. commission or other tribunal jo investigate' matters in connection with I ho epidemic was suggested by Mr. C. J. Parr (Eden) in Hie -course of u (|uestion which he put to (ho Prime Minister in the Uoneo of Representatives yesterday , . Mr. Pan , suggested that this commission elimild— (l) Inquire whether the Public Health Department ha>l shown the necessary foresight in anticipating tho epidemic or look reasonable precautions, by qunrniilinc or otherwise, to safeguard the community against tho entry of the. epidemio into Now Zealand. (2) As (o the truth or otherwise of .the charges niiule by the Minister of Public Health as to slum conditions alleged lo exist, in Auckland and other largo cities. (.1) Fixing nnd apportioning the responsibility as between the Health Department, the hospital boards, and municipal councils for slum conditions; and (■!•) inquire as to amending the present andi obsolete laws dealing with insanitary city\ dwellings. WORK OF THE HOSPITAL REPORT TO THE BOARD ■\t the monthly meeting of the 'Wellington Hospital Board yesterday, Messrs. Baldwin and 'Luke presented a report upon the influenza epidemic. The report staled tlint the number of cases admitted as inlhienza into the Hospital from November 1 to November 26 was 13,1 civilians, 69 military, and 103 of the staff, making a total of 305 cases which were treated. In addition, there were several patients admitted as pneumonia, pleurisy, and other cases which were in origin, if , not in name, influenza. At the height of the epidemic the total number of patients in fflo hospital reached the j

mnxinnim in the history of tlic institution, viz., 501. The report continued:-"The staff are deserving of the highest praise for the manner in which they carried on the duties which leil to inem. In all, iive of the medical stall' have been down, and for a considerable period three 'were carrying on. The nursing stuff nlso suffered heavily, us :it lciwt -one-hull' of them were affected, and although the additional work was thrown on the shoulders of the remainder (assisted by several voluntary workers) there were no complaints as to any requirements of patients being neglected. The etfuin on 'the iiurses wlio have been able to remain™ duty has been particularly severe, and several of them are on the verge of a breakdown from overwork. It is hoped that in the course of a week or so a number will have recovered sufficiently to enable a little rest to be given to the overtaxed nurses. The board's thanks are due to those who responded to the request of providing accommodation for convalescent nurses.

"On the suggestion of Colonel Deck communications were, made with the Mayor of Motueka and Nelson, with whom lie was acquainted, and in reply they sent 2!) cases of 'emons, which were conveyed to the patients at the Wellington, Featherston, Trenthain Lower IliitJ. and Petone Hospitals. It is gratifying to note that the people of Nelson were so much in sympathy with the patients that these lemons were donated free of cost, and were curried by the Anchor Steamship Company freight free. We recommend a special voto of thanks be scut to the Mayors of Motueka and Neleon and the Anchor Steamship Company. The offers of assistance have been so numerous that it is impossible to personally thank everybody, hut I would ask tho board to carry a resolution of thanks to all those who so nobly assisted, and that their names be recorded in the minute book." The report -was adopted. THE DANGER oFoVERCROWDING POWERS OF LOCAL BODIES. At the meeting of- the Petone Borough Council last evening the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) moral: "That this council emphatically endorses the recommendation of the Wellington City Engineer (Mr. W. 11. Morton), and urges the Government to take tiie necessary steps at the present session of Parliament to give legislative effect to the same, and that copies. of the resolution be sent to tho Prime Minister ami the member for the district." The recommendations were those contained in , Mr. Morton's report to- the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) on the epidemic. The Auckland City Council wrote urging the council to support a movement to secure an amendment of the Act during the current session practically on the lines suggested by Mr. Morton.

Mr. M'Ewan stated that Mr. Morton's recommendations covered practically everything necessary. He referred to the epidemic of "la grippe," or Russian influenza, which started at Bokhara and spread round tho world. Tho present epidemic was brought from overseas, and its spread was due to overcrowding and not to sanitary defeck What they had to guard against was tho introduction of such epidemics from abroad and secondly, wlien ; the epidemic had "reached here, to see that there was no overcrowding. It means Hint they wou.d have to build more and better houses. The recommendations of Mr. Morton were coniprehensive, and seemed to sover everything necessary. He showed tho difficulties that hedged in local bodies in dealing with insanitary premises and overcrowding of houses. After some discussion the motion was carried. The Mayor then moved: "hTut the Government be urged to proceed with the erection of 100 houses immediately on the land acquired in 1902 and 1003, and failing this, to grant financial assistance lo the Borough to .carry out the work." This motion was also carried, after some discussion, in which the speakers talked all round the subject, and especially attacked the landlords. ' AT THE fHATHAII ISLANDS CONDITIONS SERIOUS. Mr. E. G. F. Zohrab, manager of the Chatham Islands Fishing Company, Ltd., has communicated to the Minister of Public Health the contents of the following wireless message (received in Wellington on Saturday) concerning (he outbreak of influenza there:— "Outbreak serious; several more deaths. Many in critical condition. Dr. Gibson, overworked; fear breakdown. I Nurses urgently required." \ The message was signed by Mr. J. .If. Prendeville, the Fishing Company's manager at the islands. THE CHILDREN'S HOMES A report upon 'the number ofi children admitted to the home at Kelbiirn Training College- up to (i p.m. yesterday showed that in all 107 children had entered the home. Seventeen had been sent home, 35 were at Miramar home, •Iβ remained at Kclbiirn, three were in private homes, nnd four were in outside , hospitals. At the time at which the figures were furnished about four fresh admissions were expected. Quartermaster-Sergeant Chnrleton, who, is in charge of the Miramar home for children temporarily or permanently bereft of thejr natural guardians, yesterday stated that to date 58 youngsters had passed through the institution. Thirtyfive remained, and it seemed probable that about twenty would ultimately hare to be cared for by the State, i,e they had no parents or relatives to return to. GOOTWORK BY THE COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS During the past four years tho commercial travellers as a distinct section of the community Have come to the foro in a manner truly surprising. There has not been an appeal of any patriotic nature to which they have not responded in a particularly whole-souled way, and when they have, of their own initiative, inaugurated and carried out a moneyraising scheme for some deserving war object it has been carried through with a zest and elan which could not bo withstood. When the epidemic came along the travellers put the crown upon their good work of the war period. Up till yesterday their organisation had been at work for sixteen days, and, to quote one of the members, they have never done anything quite so effective as they have in that brief period of time. Their cars were all given voluntarily, and during the sixteen days, the car mileage travelled has been 5000 miles. The travellers specialised in comforts for the sick in tho hospitals, convalescent homes, group centres, and private homes. A few finures will show how tho energies of the" commercial travellers and their good ladies have been spent. In a littlo over a fortnight they contributed 450 -allons of beef tea, 2G« bottles of limejuiee, 250 bottles of soda water, GOO eggs, and 1400 pints' of jelly. Many of their workers, "stuck it" for twelve or fourteen hours a day, and there was never an appeal left unanswered. ' , THE CENTRES WELLINGTON NORTH. The Rev. Robertson Orr yesterday reported that matters were very quiet at the Wellington North depot in St. Andrew's Schoolroom. "We are open here only from nine in tho morning to eeven in 'the, evening, and that only in case help shouH be required. The work is going on merely in a skeleton fashion now, and we aro sending all appeals for food nnd medicines along to the Town Hall. There are comparatively few appeals, but families in which the wage-earner has been unable to work aro seeking financial relief. So far as influenza is concerned, there are very, very few cases being reported. If we find «t the end of the week that things have gone on in the way they on; going to-day we shall have no 'occasion to keep open any longer. Mr. Orr touched upon the question nt <ottlinf up the financial side of the work that had been done. He stated that litanng Die families who had received material assistance when the epidemic was at its height were some which were in a position to mako some return. It was felt that such families might be willing lo contribute something that could y be used by the depot to meet cases still needing relief. The Government was, oi course, going to bear the cost of n good deal of relief work, but it could hardly be expected that the Government would

bo iiblo to meet urgent and immediate caHs at once. Mr. On , said that tho convalescent home established at IGB the Terrace for. young women who resided in boardinghouses or were unnble to get the proper kind of nursing at home was going along well. ■ (jifts of money to provide adequate nursing, etc., for the convalescents would bo welcome, as the work of curing for tho convalescents would continue for a. time. BIiOOKXYN CENTRE. . ■ The Brooklyn depot (but not tho hospital) will close to-night. Mr. J. 18. Hopkirk told ii reporter yesterday that things werp so slack that it was no use carrying on. ( A good deal of credit, Mr. Hopkirk claimed, was duo to the district for the manner in which it had, so to phrase it, "Worked out its own solvation." Brooklyn had had n hospital established in its midst, and in the hospital Brooklyn workers had cared for people who were in the main Brooklyn residents; and it was highly creditable that quite desperate cases had by care mid attention been pulled through, and that in a population of irobably 5000, not more than 20 deaths had occurred. "Willi regard lo the inmates of the Ohiro Home, stringent measures weix taken at that home immediately on the outbreak of the influenza '.epidemic, and all. the inmates cheerfully conformed to the rules laid down, which included the cancellation-of all leave,*i.iuj it is gratifying to be able to report that not a single case of iiifiuenzn' has recurred at that institution."—From a report submitted yesterday to the meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

At yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board a letter was received from the house surgeons expressing their admiration for the way in which the board's ambulance drivers had uncomplainingly stuck to their posts during the fight .-ii'ainst the epidemic. The letter stated that there was a tendency on the part of some of the people to malign the drivers, and (he writers desired to combat it. The drivers had without exception displayed (;he greatest gentleness in Ihe handling of palients, and some had gone on working till they had actually to be ordered to stop and rest, so as to avoid n. 'breakdown.

The Wellington Hospital mid Charitable A i<l Board yesterday decided to forward letters of condolence lo the relatives of the late Messrs. A. H. Hindmnrsh, M.P., David Robertson, Charles F. Hills, H. van Staveren, and Drs. Holmes and Pollen, who have all fallen victims to the epidemic. There were .ten now cases reported at Greytown on Sunday and one yesterday. In the temporary hospital the majority of the patients are progressing satisfactorily, font there are two bad casee. The Lower Hutt food distribution and medical advice bureau at the Municipal Offices is now closed, but fruit and medicine may be obtained there during thenext few days, between the'hours of !) and 10 a.m. 'and 7 and 8 p.m. The Brooklyn centre announce that owing to the epidemic- lmviiiß abated the local committee has decided to close tlie office at the schoolroom frpm 6 p.m. today. The visiting committees v\\\ also cease operation? from to-day. All further cases are to be notified to the temporary hospital at Brooklyn Schoolroom, telephone 935. THE POSITION IN OTHER DISTRICTS CHRISTCHURCH REPORTS SATIS- - • FACTORY. By TeleßfiDh—Press Association. Christchurcb, December 2. The influenza patients admitted to the hospitals'on Saturday and Sunday totalled seventeen, and deaths ten. Reports regarding the epidemic are generally satisfactory. Evidence of improved condition is found in the decision of the tramway authorities to resume the, day. timetable. The burials for November at the two municipal cemeteries numbered 416, compared with 63 Inst year. HOPEFUL POSITION IN DUNEDIN. ■ Dunedin, December 2. The. influenza position is regarded verj hopefully. The notifications for Otago and Southland *f or two days. have been only thirty. The improvement is more marked in tho town than in tho country. Later. Considerable improvement in regard to the influenza is reported. To-day only a few fresh cases were notified, and tho calls on tho doctors have been very much reduced. A large number who have been laid aside. are_ now returning to work. ■ MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN INVERCARGILL. ' Invercargill, December 2. There is a very marked improvement locally. The cases in the hospital number ninety, of whom forty require special treatment. The deaths from influenza in Southland and Wallace counties during the epidemic total about 120. Indications point, to it rapid return to normal. »..,-' . ' NELSON ESCAPES' LIGHTLY. . ' Nelson, December 2. There have been no admissions of influenza eases to Nelson Hospital for three days. Two deaths nave, occurred since Saturday. There- are now '10 .-as'js in hospital, two being dangerously ill. The epidemic is now believed to be practically over here. Nelson has escaped very lightly in comparison with most places of similar size: During November there were 29 burials in Wnkapuakn Cemetery, against 12 for November, 1917. There were three interments in other centres in the district. ' SITUATION AT'WANGANUI STILL IMPROVING. ' Wanganui, December 2. The influenza situation is still improving. Altogether about 2500 cases occurred in tho town and suburbs. The approximate number of deaths was ninety-livo. WELL UNDER CONTROL AT , ,-• HAWERA. Hawera, December 2. The town reopened for business this morning. The epidemic is considered' to bo well under control. During tho weekend there 'were nine admissions to the temporary hospital, making 161 to date. At present there are 41' patients in tho institution. There is only one case which is considered serious. There was one death during the week-end. A census of the epidemic taken on Saturday showed that in the borough and suburbs there had been 1771 cases; 29 had died, 121 are still in bed, and 277 convalescent cases. FEW NEW CASES AT NAPIER, Napier, December 2. There have been over a hundred deaths in Napier from tho epidemic, but very few now cases are notified daily, and most of the fatitl terminations arise from old cases. > ' ANOTHER HOSPITAL FOR MAORIS OPENED. Wairoa, December 2. Influenza deaths during the week-end were one European and four Maoris. Another temporary hospital for Maoris has been opened at North Clyde, with eight patients. It is capable of holding forty. i

FURTHER CASES IMPORTED AT DANNEVIRIvE. Dannevirke. December 2. Five adiiilts, including a Maori, and two juveniles, have died since Saturday from influenza. Cases, arc still being reported and admitted to hospital. NO ABATEMENT AT BLENHEIM. Blenheim, December 2. There is no apparent abatement in the influenza epidemic. To-day several fresh cases have been reported, nnd the situation is aggravated by convalescents persisting in mixing with other people. There aro several severe cases in the hospital, and lucre arc (il patii-nUi in the auxiliary hospital. There was one death to-day, which brings the total to 20. RESUMPTION OF BUSINESS AT MASTERTON. (By Tolesrapli—Special Oorrcspondcnt.l Masterton, December 2. The epidemic is abating, few fresh ca.sus being reported. Four deaths have occurred since Sunday, including two Natives and a returned soldier. There aro several serious cases etill under

treatment. All businesses liavD 'been resumed, nml it is hoped that flit disease will be completely stamped out shortly. ON THE WEST COAST. Reefton, December 2. The epidemic is bud lit Greyinyuth ami Hokitiku, but at Heeflon it is mild, So fur there have been no deaths at lieefton directly duo to the epidemic. MATTERS MENDING RAPIDLY AT GONE. Gore, Jecember 2. Deaths from 'influenza during.. Hie month numbered livcnly-foui , at Gore and thirttc-ii at Mataura. Few new cases have been reported, mid the position is mending quickly.