LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 107, 30 January 1919, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

INFLUENZA PRECAUTIONS URGED. Sir,—Your well-timed paragraph pointing out the dunjfer of a revisitation of the epidemic appears in its proper position as one of tho most important "Kotes of the Day," and this writer would strongly emphasise that no precaution can be too rigorous for some time yet in the most vital matter of communication with (he sadly-stricken Pacifio Islands. The writer is not an alarmist, but feels that it would be almost criminal to fail to bring under public notice the fact thiit at one of the islands alouo over SOOO bodies are buried in trenches five and six deep, none enclosed in coffins, but simply wrapped up in mats. It is stated by some of tho recently-returned members of the garrison that a't any rate the upper rows of bodies are but very shallowly covered. This was practically inevitable owing to the desperate conditions prevailing and tho difficult nature of the soil (o excavate, but the porous nature of this volcanic soil is well known to those who have had residence there, and, God forbid it, an epidemic of oven greater virulence may yet follow, unless precautions aro taken. In drawins attention to this dire possibility, the writer would also specially suggest that every equipment to combnt such ii contingeucy be prepared at once, and placed at the Islands. We know that at tho beginning of the late outbreak, remedies were not- available—do not let them ever Ifi-t i;i that position agnii). Kcpi'nj th«t precautions have already ben taken.—l am, etc., . 184. January 27. '