THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 62, 7 December 1918, Page 8

THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

NEARLY BACK TO NORMAL CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS WINDING. UP HEAVY DEATH ROLL IN UNITED STATES "Decidedly the quietest day we've hud yet," was the description given of yesterday's work at Central Headquarters in the Town Hall. This, coming after ii succession of days which have all indicated a steady improvement in the position with regard to the epidemic, is very reassuring. If further evidence is needed that the epidemic in Welinglon has been reduced to what might, by ronipan£on, 'be termed easily manageable proportions, it is afforded by the fact that tho temporary hospitals will not now, receive any fresh cases of influenza, and cases occurring now must be sent to the General Hospital. Instructions yesterday were, to "carry en" till noon to-day. Then, in all probability, the kitchen and the medicine department will go out of business. It appeals I hat the records department and the clothing , department aro likely to remain open longer than the. others, and that the ambulance department will hold one-t-ar, for tho removal of patients to their ho'mefl. Th'c Centres. \ll the centres havo now practically closed down, and cases a>ro being.dealt with at the Central.Headquarters in the Town Hull. As indicated above, it is expected that soon Central Headquarters will be closed down also, and that the General Hospital will bo ablo to cope with any demands arising out of fresh cases. The temporary hospitals of course still contain patients in various stages of sickness ot convalescence, and they will necessarily carry on till tho patients are fit to return to their homes. Kelburn Home. On Wednesday last there were' four admissions to tho Children's Homo at Kelburn, and on Thursday then; were five. Yesterday was tho quietest day yet experienced, as at i p.m. a- reporter was informed that there had been no fresh admissions. Tho number of children whose cases have boon dealt with is now I'd ' ' ■ ' Cases Needing Relief. In accordance with a request mado by the Minister of Public Ilealth, the chairman of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board invited all group commanders to meet in conference at tlio board's offices yesterday afternoon,, in order to ascertain definitely the number and nature of all eases needing relict. There was a full attendance of dologates, and after the chairman (Mr. H. Baldwin) hnd explained the object of tho meeting, ho called upon Mr. Trucbridgo to explain the various methods that could be utilised in (relieving tho need of all cases arising from tho recent epidemic. Lists of those requiring assistance wero handotl in to the secretary of tho board, who will classify them and forward on to the Minister of Public Health. ' The opinion was generally expressed that the State should in a special manner subsidise those wh,o undertook the guardianship of orphans', and that wherever necessary 'ample allowances should also be jnade by tho Government to all widows left with children, as it was felt that iho amount provided under tho Widows' Ponsion Act was totally iuadequato to meet their needs. A Fine District Record, The 'filial meeting of the Oriental Bay and Edseneath Epidemic Committee was held last - evening, when it was reported that tho district was now practically clear of tho epidemic. It was unanimously agreed that the local cost incurred in coping with tho epidemic should bo borne by tho committee. Tho whole of the motor-carß wero snpplied by residents, who declined to .mako any claim. Tho nursing and all domestic help was supplied voluntarily by tho women of the district. Other residents cheerfully sup-, plied holp necessary to carry on the'inhalation chamber, visit all houses, supply food and medicines, and report on all cases of sickness. The committee expressed its appreciation of tho ready assistnnco.it at all times received from Drs. Gibb and Shand. The organisation was tho subject of general congratulation, and appreciative votes of thanks were passed to the officer in charge and his wife and all voluntary helpers, including the Boy Scouts. Tho committee also expressed its deep gratitudelo all who helped, especially to tho good women of the district and tlio Sisters of Compassion, who nursed and comforted the sick. Tho motor-car owners were thanked not only for their services in their own difficult district, but also for their assistance in several other districts and in the evacuation of the hospitals. Mr. H. D. Vickesry and tlio. officer in charge (Mr, ,T. .1. M'Grath) wpre authorised to deal with Iho funds of the committoo and to settlo all accounts. The committee has not disbanded, and will,, if occasion should arise, bo called togo'ther again. j 1 letter of appreciation and thanks is to be sent on behalf of the committee , to all known voluntary workers, who are publicly \ hanked elsewhere in this issue. Position .in the Camps. Thero aro now only 113 men suffering from influenza in the three camps in the WoHington' Military District. Of this number, 13 aro serious cases. A death from cerebrospinal meningitis occurred at Tronthain yesterday, and an influenza patient succumbed at Featherston. The health report is as\follows:— Awapuni. Paraded sick " 0 Remaining in hospital ■ 5 Serious cases .; 0 Deaths 0. Feathereton. Paraded sick "! Admitted to hospital •. 1 . Keinaining in hospital Gβ Serious eases ....; If Death : -....:.... 1 Tronthain. Paraded sick ~ 3 Admitted to hospital (t Bcinaining in hospital 112 Serious cases 3 Death : - 1 •' STATE OniIOOSPITALS The figures showing the state of tho temporary hospitals for the twenly. : four hours ended at noon yesterday disclose that thero wero h'vo admissions and pirflit discharges. From convalescent homes there were nino discharges. Two deaths occurred during tho twenty-four hours.. Tho iiguresi given for the previous day were':—Admissions lo hospital, 21; discharges from hospital, . ill; discharges from convalescent, homes, 12; deaths 2. The "twenty-one admissions to hospital' recorded for Hie twenty-four Lours ended at noon on Thursday were not all lulmis'sioiH of fresh cases, but comprised at least twelve cases transferred, upon Mio closing or St. John's, to other hospitals. ■Following , are the numbers of vacant beds in the temporary hospitals at noon, yesterday:— , ' .. . Mnlcs. I'emales, Sydney Street Hall' 22 Bovs* College •' 1 St.'Patrick's College 23 - Normal School •'••■ — -^ Seamen's Instituto 11 ■ Brooklyn ;■,•• - , , Tho vacant beds in the. convalescent homes were:- " AlnlD3 . Fe males. Oriental Bay .••■•.-• — ' G Salvation Army Training College •' "-. n Wellington South ■•■•• •'« SI. Thomas's (Newtown)... J. SI. Anne's (Ncwtow) ... .1DEATHS"¥mDIERS Advice has beon received' from Trontl,a, Vos Ual that M-Wj Pf ? . Stm. cy Novelo Primo. Details, Trenham, died it hp■ Cniii|. ITospitnl from .nfliionw and "i,ihro^in«rmonin«ili ! ...«co(..| ? od wn* 3" vi-ara nf turn and unwind. His ne.\t-nf.ki-iis hi* wife, Mrs. 1, J. Prune. Lucy llond, Nanier. . „ Advice has been received thai .B,iW, Abort lHvcrimi .Tames Parker died at Iho No v PI mouth Hospital from pneumonia following influenza. .Deceased was 2o

years- of ago and single, his next-of-kin being his father, Air. John Piwker, Lemon Street, New Plymouth. Ho was a discharged soldier. :)7,(i1i7 Sapper Ansehii Plynn, an undischarged soldier, died at the Stratford Hospital on Sunday, December 1. Deceased was 2-1 years of age mid single, his next-of-kin being Mrs. Ellen Elynn, 'I'awc.ra., Tarunaki. Advico has been received that 11/GM 2nd Licuitenaut.Llric Albert Coates, a returned soldier,'died on. November U at Awamiii Private Hospital, Auckland, from influenza, pneumonia, and pleurisy. Deceased wns 25 years of. age and. single, his next-uf-kin being Mr. Oswald Coates (father), "Waimana," Manakau ltoad Auckland. , ' Advice has been' veeeived irom leathers! on Camp that Sl),388 Private Francis Layden, C Company, Povty-eighth Reinforcements, died at' tho Camp Hospital from broncho-pneumonia on Thursday. His next-of-kin is his wife, Mrs. F. H. Laydo'.i, IS Seymours Street, Ponsonby, Auckland. POSITION IN~OTHER DISTRICTS : ALMOST SUPPRESSED IN AUCKLAND. By Telegraph.—l'rcns Association. Auckland, December G. The epidemic is almost siimiressed in Auckland city and Mibu-rbs, but is still active in tho outlying districts, though less virulent. IMPROVEMENT AT DUNEDIN CONTINUES. - ' l Duncdin, December 6. The improvement "continues. Tho number of patients in' the hospital is 212, of which 90 aro convalescent. Deaths in hospital from November 11 to December 4 number 157. An old lndy well over the allotted, span came to the bureau and donated i ten half-sovereigns to tho relief fund. She added sho had offered her services, 'but,' sho continued whimsically, 'I suppose I'm too old.' Ono of tho motor-owners who was standing by for relief services overheard tho conversation, and offered to drive her home. 'No, no,' said the old lady; 'you'vo got better work to do. ' Besides,' sho suited, 'I don't want it known who I (fill or where I live.'"

ABATING FAST IN SOUTHLAND. Invercargill, December 6. Tho epidemic is still abating fast all over Southland. The position in tho country districts is improving greatly. During tho past few days the vigilance committee completed its wprk and disbanded. The Hospital and Charitable. Aid Board is now quite able to <1# all. that is necessary. The tramway and public services report n much letter position, although tho former is not yet normal. Ono outbreak of spinal meningitis is reported, and another is suspected amongst tho children isolated iu the auxiliary hospital. The notified deaths to dato in' tho Southland health area total 231. PROSPECTS IMPROVING AT ' TIJIARU. Timaru, December 6. Tho improved prospects reported yesterday continue throughout tho district. Only two fresh cases were' reported today, noither of them serious, and no ' deaths. With two "or three exceptions all the convalescents are making good progress. It is expected that tho temporary hospitals at, Temuka, Pleasant Point, and Fairlic will close-to-morrow. CLOSING RESTRICTIONS REIMPOSED AT WAIMATE. Waimato, December 5. A meeting of retailers decided to urge the rcimposing of the closing regulations, the Health Department's relaxation being considered premature ns far ns this district is concerned. The Hospital Committee last night resolved similarly. Dr. Pitts stated to the committee that he knew of no influenza case in this district not traceable to Christchurch in Carnival Week. There have been m> deaths from influenza here since Monday morning. There are forty cases hero and 21 at Morvon. Waimata, December' 6. , Iho District Health Officer lias acceded totho local request and reimposed the closing restrictions as a defence against influenza. There have l been no deaths since Monday morning, EPIDEMIC WANING AT OAMARTJ. Oamaru, December G. Tho epidemic continues on tho wane, though fresh cases of a mild nature are reported still- A number of serious cases are under treatment in the hospitals. Ihe auxiliary hosnital is taking no fresh cases, which are to-be dealt with in the ordinary institution. Cases at the Chathamt, A wireless message was received last night from the medical officer at the Chatham Islands, stating that lour death's had occurred there. A few new cases Had been reported, but the situation was fairly satisfactory, Two dangerous cases were oif hand, and 25 new cases had been treated since the last 'message w«s received on December-1. FIJI' APPEALS FOR DOCTORS AND ■"■"■' -NURSES Suva, December G. Tho Fiji Government has cabled to New Zealand'for doctors and nurses for the relief of,influenza cases in the country districts.—Press Assn', -.-. ■ SYDNEY POSITIoFiJRE- FAVOURABLE (Rec. December G, 10.5 p.m.) Sydney,-December G. I ho influenza position is more favourable. No more deaths and no new eases were reported to-day.-Press Assn.. HEAVY DEATHIoLL IN UNITED STATES-. ' (Rec, December G, 7.35 p.m.) Washington, December 5. The Public .Health Department estimate that Spanish influenza has been responsible for three hundred thousand deaths since the middle of September.— Renter. ' ■"-,•' MAYOR'S EPIDEMIC RELIEF' FUND The following additional subscriptions have been received for the above fund:— Mrs..R, Willcooks, .£1; Mrs. N. Mitchell, .£>; "C.A.," „C 2 10s.;\T. H. Mnrchant, s£3 35.; P. C. Luxford, .E5 55.; W. M. Hannay, J!.l 35.; "East," .CI; 'Mrs. J. lvinniburgh, £[; C. H. M. Hawk, M 35.; total, .C2S 4s. . . Tho .Tohnsonville Vigilanco Committee has decided to close down to-day. Since tho outbreak of the epidemic some 250 cases have been dealt with by this committee, 100 of which 'belong to'tho Mokara County. Altogether 18 deaths -have been recorded in this area, the. Joluisoiiiiiflo district-contributing nine, Makara seven, and Onslow two. Tho temporary hospital returns show that the admissions numbered 32 (18 males and It females)'.: Of Ibis luioiboi' 15 cases were,admilted from the Jolinsonvillo district, 12 from tho Maltwit, and four from Onslow. The deaths in Iho institution numbered fivo, made up ns follow:—Jolinsonvillo, one; Mnkara, two; Onslow, two. The secretary acknowledges receipt of £2 ?s. from Air. H. Hume, Ohariu. and will be glad to receive other sums from grateful donors. Our Fcaflicrstnn correspondent states that throughout (he district the outlook has brightened very perceptibly during tho week, and but few cases are arising. The Anzac Hospital now contains some 25 patients, and it is expected that within tho next fortnight all will be convalescent. Nurse Corbi'idge, of Palmerston, is tho matron, having succeeded Mrs. A. If. Knowles, who became ill during last week. Tho Wellington 'North Dopot acknowledges tho foljowing donations:—Mrs. W. Nathan, „CM) (specially for orphaned children and convalescents): "Friend," £i; G.G.H., n 35.; A. Lindsay. JM;C. G. Griffiths. Ji.i 55.; ;T. Caiighlev. J!2; T,.8„ 10a.; M., £1; D., 10s.; W. Vraser Shortt, ,C 2 25.; "Grateful," 10s.; Mrs. Geo. Denton, £i 10s. (for the children and widows); Miss Tompseft. 10s.; Jacob M'RldoH-ney, .£10;' .lohii M'Eldownoy, ,E5. The committee also acknowledge a receipted account from Mr, C. Fletcher (chemist)', the free use of two expresses from tho New Zealand Express Company for disinfecting work, and aerated waters in generous quantity from the Phoonix Company. ~>