WAVE OF INFLUENZA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 198, 17 May 1920, Page 6

WAVE OF INFLUENZA

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

AFFECTED

CHILDREN PROHIBITED ATTENDING THE

THEATRES

A well-pronounced wave of influenza, which has been'reported from both north and south, is making its influence felt in Wellington. During the past week a. light form of the ailment lias spread with surprising rapidity throughout the city, and in nil those buildings where large staffs arc employed tho epidemic bus had tho effect of greatly weakening them, and in some cases certain services have had to be suspended owing to this depletion. Duo head of a partment in tho Government service stated on Saturday that 20 per cent, of his staff were then incapacitated by the epidemic, and a report from the General Post Office on Saturday gavo'an estimate of 10 per cent, away with, tho influenza. The Government Printing Office staff and many of the Bepartmonts in _tlie main Government Buildings are feeling the effect of the wave, as are also some of tlio larger warehouses, factories, and shops in the city. : Contrary to tho rule during the dread November of 1918, when children were almost immune L'rotu attack, tho newest wave is not sparing the youngsters, and before the schools c!o;«l last Thursday the absentees iiuni])ered as many in some instances as 20 per cent. The Public Health authorities, who have been oil tho alert, but who can only supply figures as reported to them Irom medical authorities, have taken stops to prevent children 'tinder fifteen years of age'attending theatres and meetings, and notices to that effect have been posted on the doors of ill theatres, picture and otherwise, so that, with the • term holidays current, ■ there will bo no pictures for the children. This law is being rigidly adhered to by tho theatre proprietors?. Ono gentlemen," attended by a small gifl wearing a college band round' her hat, was about to pass into a local theatre oh Saturday afternoon when ho was sharply questioned as to the !)ge of the girl by the doorkeeper before the latter would allow their admission. In reply to a question, the man on the door stated that ho'was under strict instructions to carry out the law as conveyed in'the Public Health Department's, dictum. , • It is hoped that by preventing crowdiiig m confined spaces that the spread of the' disease may be checked, though it may bo difficult to see why the 'lawshould apply to children and not to adults. ' , ' ' , .Although the epidemio is generally described as a. light form, it is not by any means ono to be treated lightly. _ It takes the form of a sore throat with a very heavy cold, which settles on the chest, and' is accompanied with a racking cough, very hard to shift. Even .with the best of attention the epidemic takes about a week to run its course, and leaves the pfitient pretty badly run down.