INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 64, 10 December 1918, Page 5

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

A ROYAL COMMISSION FULL INQUIRY PROMISED DEATHS REGISTERED TO DECEMBER 6 The Prime Minister stated in the House of Representatives yesterday that the Government had decided to appoint a commission to make inquiry regarding the influenza epidemic. The commission would inquire as to the causes that produced t'he epidemic, the measures desirable to prevent a, recurrence, all matters connected with the arrival and berthing of the steamers Niagara and Maknra, the administration of the Public Health Department, the relations of the Department with the-local authorities, and the relative responsibilities of the Department and the local authorities. The Cabinet wished the investigation to be ns thorough as possible. The Minister of Public Health agreed with the proposal, Cabinet being unanimous on the point. < • The. Minister of Public Health, (the Hon. G. W. Russell) said he desired the most thorough investigation. The Health Department had nothing to hide, and desired to have all the facts made public.

THE DEATH ROLL TOTAL REGISTERED TO DECEMBER C. Figures compiled by the Registrar-Gen-eral for the months of October, November, and down to December 6 show that the registrations of deaths from influenza and pneumonia in the four metropolitan areas have been as follow:— Auckland 867 Wellington 383 Christchurch- 443 Dunedin i.i 241 Total 2,034 TREATMENT OF OUT-PATIENTS NO ARRANGEMENTS FOR ATTENDANCE. A Dominion representative learned in the course-of a talk with Mr. P. Eraser, M.P., yesterday that' a new and urgent, if not, perhups, very huge problem, had arisen out of the winding up of the organisation employed to fight the epidemic. There are a few new cases cropping up all over the city, and some patients are reported as not convalescent and still requiring medical attention, said Mr. Eraser. "Some of those who require medical assistance' are not in circumstances that enable them to pay for it, and, so far, no arrangement has been made to meet the needs of such cases. It is necessary that something should be done at once."

Statement by the Hospital Superintendent.. "I am authorised by the chairman of the Hospital Board to make clear the fact that the hospital is unable to send out any nurses or doctors to attend, patients in their own homes," said Dr. M r . J. Barclay (medical superintendent of the Wellington Hospital) last evening. "It was never intended, when the present arrangements with regard, to the influenza campaign were made, that nurses or doctors should be sent out from this institution, and it is frankly impossible for them to be sent. If wo acceded to all the requests we received we should not have a doctor or a nurse in the hospital within twenty-four hours. A great many people must in the last day or two have got the impression that we are not doing all we ought to do, but we have not one nurse that we could spare to send outside. "There seems to be a good deal of confusion in the position at present," Dr. .Barclay continued. "An advertisement has appeared in the Press asking doctors to continue'on the block system for this week, but unfortunately no arrangement seems to have been nmdo for continuing the services of the nurses who have been going round attending the patients. Tho General Hospital has undertaken to receive such new influenza cases as require hospital treatment. In this way we are talcing the place of the temporary hospitals. That is all wo can do. We have not undertaken to attend to the patients in tho temporary hospitals or at'their own homes. "It appears that there' are a great many ■ people suffering from influenza who' are in their own homes, and have never been in hospitals. Somo of these had voluntary workers and nurses to attend to them. Now it seems that many of the workers aro leaving, and patients are clamouring to the hospital for nurses." EPIDEMiaOMMITTEES KHANDALLAH DEPOT CLOSED DOWN. A meeting of the executive of tlio Khandallah Epidemic Committee was held in tho Public Hall on \Saturday evening, Mr. B. Anderson presiding. It. was decided to close fhe depot. Members expressed their appreciation of the splendid help that had been forthcoming from tho ladies, who had kept up an unfailing supply of tho necessary cooking, from the owners of motor vehicles, from the Boy Scouts, from the givers of donations, 'and' from tho telephono operators, who, with a depleted staff, had so risen to (ho need of the time. There was cause for both thankfulness and pride' that of nearly two hundred cases of varying intensity coining directly under the charge of the organisation, only one had ended fatally (that of a returned soldier who had been gassed at tho front). All accounts rendered to date were examined, and it was decided to hand them over toi the Borough Council for submission to the Government for payment.

LYALL BAY BELIEF MIND. Tho following subscriptions to the relief fund have been received:—Messrs. Scott and Martindale, JSIOJ P. W. Boyd and Percy E. Paul,' £a , r is. each; W. H. Monrah and 6. R. Kidson, £!> each;. F. Castle, Mrs., H. Crawford, and T. P. Hon re. J!3 3s. each; D. If. Craig, i' 3; Mrs. H. Boyce and J. D. Allan, £2 'is. each; M.A.E., £2;. Ardrev (additional), .CI Ills.; Mrs. L: Cosgrove, J!l 35.; W. P. Pender, Jit 25.; T. H. Swan, Q. J. liyan, J. W. Fletcher, Mi's. Fletcher, T. Hill, and A. V. Lamb, £1 Is. each; Randall, Mts. Shepley, G.G.S., Perkin, J.T.K., Mrs. A. E.' Smith, A. Friend, Mrs. Blighting, and Mrs. W. Tonks, £1 each; O E. Dormer, 125.; J. lvcss and A. It. Wicks, 10s. lid. each; Mrs. Curtis, A. Blackburn, Doolan, Pat, G.FI.S., Geo. Aporo Mrs. Aporo, W. C. Ball, C. E. Brodie, Mrs. Flack, Mrs. Johnstone, A. Eriekson, Mrs. Rose, Alex. Craig, Little Molly and Merle, M. Clark, Oragg, J. Clay, J. Kav, 11. R. Page, Mrs. P. Turnbull, Tyrell, and A. Saudo, 10s. each; numerous and smaller 9ums bringing tho total to date up to .£169 So. In the paragraph appearing in our issue of Monday tho name "J. J. M'Grotn' should have'been "J. J. Clark."

LOWER HUT'f'S RECORD. Mr. E. P. Rishworth (Mayor of tho Lower Hutt) last night said that there were thirty-three admissions to tho hospital at the Hutt during tho epidemic. Ten of these were pneumonia cases, eight of whom died. Five were in extremis on admission. No deaths were due' to influenza directly. Eighteen deaths had been notified altogether. Mr. Rishworth spoko in warm praiso of those who had 'helped fo wonderfully in the fight against the disease. He mentioned that tho heads of departments had given every assistance, Mid been . most courteous. Special distinction would bo invidious. On behalf of the councillors, Councillor M'Dougul thanked tho Mayor for his able conduct of tho operations. Tho borough was indeed fortunate in having at its head one who had such a grasp of the (situation.

THE WORK AT PLIMMERTON. After a gra-vo and anxious three weeks, Plimmerton is now a'most free, and the temporary hospital there was olosed down

on Saturday. Before it was opened, there was much serious sickness in the district", and six Maoris and one while man had succumbed. As soon as Hie Hev. \V. H. "Walton, vicar of Pahaut.v nui, became aware of the gravity of the situation, 'lie threw r.pen his church and secured tho use of the adjoining school t'.roni Mr. W. Barlow, also us a temporary hospital, nnd immediately organised a staff under the charge of Mrs. M. M. Carpenter. In all, fourteen pntienls were treated in the liospital, of whom one died, eleven were discharged cured, one was taken to Wellington and died there, and another is still in hospital in Wellington. Many critical cases were attended to in private homes by voluntary workers, and medicines and food distributed. Mr. Walton in his efforts to fight the epidemic, left his home at Paremata, nnd went to live in Plinvmerton. .Most valuable work was also done by the lady helpers. : Hospitals and Convalescent Homes. The figures showing the stale of the temporary hospitals for the twenty-four hours ended at noon yesterday disclose that there were no admissions (as the temporary hospitals are closed to fresh cases of influenza), and twelve discharges. Discharges from convalescent homes numbered thirty-one. There -was me death 'at the general hospital. ' The figures for the general hospital yesterday were as under:— Admissions .- 6 Remaining in Hospital 50 Discharged ••• 6 Deaths 1 The vacant beds in the convalescent homes were:— FeMales. males. ,St. Anne's (Newtown) 10 — Oriental Bay — 10 Salvation Army Training . . College — 3 Wellington South 13 — St. Thomas's (Newtown)... 34 - Position in the Camps. Yesterday there were only 111 men suffering from influenza in the three camps in tho Wellington military district. Of this number thirteen were serious cases. No'deaths were reported. The 1 health report was as follows:— Awapuni. Paraded sick 7 Remaining in hospital 5 Serious cases 0 Deaths 0 ■ Featherston. Paraded sick .....;... 0 . Admitted to hospital 0 Remaining in hospital 79 Serious cases 11 Deaths 0 Trentham. Paraded sick 2 Admitted to hospital 1 Remaining in hospital 62 Serious cases 2 Deaths 0 CONVALESCENT SAILORS ALLEGATIONS'OF DRUNKENNESS. STATEMENTS REFUTED BY AUTHORITIES.

Allegations contained in a question of which notice was given by the Hon. G. Jones in the Legislative Council on Saturday, that patients in the St. Anne's Convalescent Home for Seamen, Newtown, had been guilty of drunkenness during their period of convalescence, wore replied to yesterday by the Leader of the Council (Sir Francis Bell). The question which Mr. Jones addressed to the Government was as follows: "AVhether they will seek to establish a more effective control over patients in the St. Anne's Convalescent Hospital who havo visited 'the publichouso bars and become inebriated, and thus imposed painful duties upon nurses and other attendants who were already overworked?" Replying to the question, Sir Francis Bell said that the medical officer at tho hospital had reported having seen no evidence of drinking during his visits, nor had he been inforraod that drinking was taking, place in any form whatever. Orders were given at the commencement that no men were to bo allowed outsido the home, noi' \va3 any drinking to be allowed inside. These orders had been repeated from timo to time, as one or two men of alcoholic tendencies had been sent to tho hospital to convalesce. Sir Francis Bell added that the wharfinger reported that'he had been responsible for the equipping of the hospital, whicn he hnd visited daily. The first batch of patients he sent up consisted of seventeen mon. Whilo he was at the hospital he was informed by the Lady Superior that a few of the patients who wore convalescent wero away buying papers. Ho, asked the Lady Superior'"'to put up a nptice telling the men that they must stay within bounds, and ho personally went among the men and told them that if they did not stay within the hospital grounds he would have to put", a guard on the entrance. From that day the men had respected the restriction. "A deputation waited upon the Minister of Public Health to-day in reference to tho matter," continued Sir Francis Bell, "and stated that the administration of the place as a hospital hnd been ideal." Tho suggestion was mado that it. was possible that some of the men who had been discharged, and over whom the hospital authorities had no control, had beon drinking, and had gono back to visit some of their friends who were inmates. That was not known, however. The gentleman who introduced tho deputation stated that the men in the hospital exceedingly resented tho statement which had been made in the Legislative Council, and entirely denied its accuracy. Mr. Jones snid he had received the information, not first hand, but second hand, but thought ho had every reason to believe that it was correct, inasmuch as he hnd had information that on several occasions men from other convalescent hospitals had been addicted to the same habit, and had been a great nuisance to Ihn nurses attending them, and to others. He was very glad to hear that in this case nothing of the kind had taken place, and that all sorts of safeguards had been adopted. Sir Francis Bell: I did not intend for a moment to impute that the honourable gentleman asked a question without, due information, but it was only fair to those whom the question attacked that they should be allowed, through me, to state their case. Mr. Jones.- The honourable gentleman is always fair.

SOLDIERS' DEATHS Advice has ten received- that 13/2097 Driver Tamos Alexander Wilson, of the Army Service Corps, died, at the Trcntham Military Hospital on Saturday from inllueiiM. and bronchial pneumonia. Deceased was 12 years of a.ge and mavried, his next-of-kin'being his wife, Mrs. J. A. Wilson, Trontham. Advice has been received that l,>\Wl Dnvid Patriek Grace, a discharged soldier died at Auckland Hospital from infhienza on November M. Deceased was SG years of age and single, his liext-ol-kiri' being his mother, Mrs. h. Grace, Auckland. , ' . . Advice has been received from the temporary hosnital. Lower TTii.tt. that 22,299 Private E. H. Beadle, of the lOwirtermaster Stores, Trentha.ni Military Camp, died there on November 2b, tlio cause of death being influenza and broncho (pneumonia. Dcceasen s next-of-kin is his wife, Mrs. C. M. H. Beagle, Talk. SERIOUS CRISjSJrfTHE ISLANDS MORTALITY IN PUT AND TONGA GROUPS. Suva, December 9. Influenza is increasing in virulence in the country, antt there is heavy mortality. The European deaths total la. Reports from the Friendly Islands state that there have been several hundred deaths, including Dowager Queen lakibo. Tho European dead include Mrs. ,1. FS. AVatkin, Miss Jennie Matthews, the Rev. Fathers. Roiter and koryogaii. Elder Laskcr, Mrs Charles Percival, and Charles Richelman. The epidemic is abating at .Nukualofa, but is still prevalent in tho country. There is urgent need for doctors and nurses in Fiji.—Press Assn. , SYDNEY'S IRONCLAD QUARANTINE THE DISPUTE WITH THE CLERGY. (Rec. December 10, 0.50 a.m.) Sydney, December 9. \ 'Archbishop Kelly, receiving no roply to

, Iris request for nermi>sion to enter tlie ' quarantine area, presented himself at tli e i gates and demanded admission, which ' was absolutely refused. The Archbishop ■ accepted the decision, and intends to take ! other steps.—Press Assn. ' POSITION INOTHER DISTRICTS 1 RAPID TMI'KOVOKiNT IN C.HRIST- ; CHURCH. ] By TelcerapU-l'rcßs Association. ' , Chriitchurch, December 9. 'i'he position as regards influenza is \ improving rapidly. The hospital returns show that there were tour admis- . mons from Friday midnight till noon today, and no deaths. The Sunday (ram [ service was run yesterday for the first time for several weeks. I TROUBLE PRACTICALLY ENDED TN DUNBDIN. Dunedin, December I). During the last twenty-four hours two influenza patients have been admitted lu 3 the hospital, and three deaths have ocr curred. • Dr. Bowie is convinced that 3 tho trouble has practically ended. The 5 patients remaining' in hospital are ISS. 1 Only seventeen of" them are dangerously ■ ill.' 1 RESUMPTION OF BUSINESS IN WAIXIATE. Waimate, December 9. 'There were two deaths from influenza yesterday. There have been no fresh admissions. Seven Jlorven V.A.D.'s are down iu hospital. The superintendent says there are still many mild cases in t the country districts. The retailers met to-day, and resolved to resume ordinary hours, and also to ask the Health Officer

to lift the restrictions on tea rooms and hotels. END OF THE EPIDEMIC TN HAWEKA. Hawera, December 9. The epidemic is regarded as practically at an end in Hawera. The convalescent hospital was closed on Saturday, and it is hoped to close thri temporary institutions at the Winter Show Buildings to-morrow. ATEST COAST REPORTS LESS FAVOURABLE. Westport, December 9. The epidemic is reported, to be very serious at Burnett's Face. A young man named Percy Hirst died there to-day, flnd at least two others arc dangerously ill. A special request has been sent out for trained nurses. Dr. Hotop, late of the military service, is doing splendid work. People afflicted cannot speak too highly of his devotion to his medical duties in an exceptionally trying time. Mr. A. J. Williams, chairman of the County Council and the Hospital Board, who has beon rendering valuable service in the town nud in the mining district, contracted influenza this morning, and was removed to the Westport Hospital. The acting-matron, Sister Gibbard, is also down with influenza. , Groymouth, December 9. The influenza, epidemic .continues. There have been five deaths since Friday. All cases in the Technical School have been removed to the Main Hospital. The fourteen inmates at St. Columbia Club are all doing) well. The weather is still unsettled, and very wintry. Blenheim, December 9. The improvement is steadily maintained. Two more deaths have occurred, bringing the total to 29. The serious cases in the hospital have much improved. The.-e are very few new cases. EPIDEMIC WELL IN HAND AT MASTEBTON. (By Telegraph-Special Correspondent.) Masterton, December 9. Three deaths from influenza occurred here to-day. One of tho victims was an old settler, named Philip Wallis, who was born at NeLson in 1847, and two others wero Nativen. Tho epidemic is well in hnnd, and very few fresh cases are reported. Most of the temporary offices will be closed this weok. "It seems a pity that the magnificent work done by tho Boy Scouts during the campaign against the epidemic should havo been passed by without a special word of recognition," said an energetic epidemic-fighter yesterday. "Those boys ran all sorts of orrands all day long, and performed endless little duties which, if they had- been east upon Hie shoulders of the adult helpers, would have occupied most of their time, and so have prevented much that was esspntial -from being accomplished. The lads stuck to their posts splendidly, and. in some cases remained on duty all day and a great part of the night. They did all their work with the greatest willingness and promptitude, and were by no means small contributors to the lino results of tho campaign." In connection with the work at Central Headquarters in tho Town Hall, there was yesterday morning nothing new to report. Stated hours were being observed in the medicines and clothing departments, and matters were generally slack. The theory, that night air is injurious, according to Dr. H. Chesson, district health officer in Canterbury, should be thrown' overboard. He finds that tho theory is a well-established bogey, and he advises people to get rid of it without delay. "I never have, and never shall, understand the difference between night air and any other kind of air," ho said on -Friday, when discussing influenza with reporters. "Fresh nil" is as necessary at night «s_ in the day time. It is an accepted principle that people who sleep with their windows open sleep better than those who have their windows closed. Better still, if they sleep out on Hie verandah. Why are people so afraid of fresh air? AVill the epidemic teach them a lesson ? Will they partake of fresh air more freely than in the. past? I sincorely hope that they will, for on this largely depeuds Hie health of the community."