INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1918, Page 3

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

MINISTERIAL review.

TOP OF WAVE REACHED

precautionary measures

;[PEU PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

WELLINGTON, This Day. The Minister of Public. Health states reports to last night indicated the top •of the epidemic wave have been reached Most of the death occurring appeared to be the result of neglect or ignorance on the part oT the persons affected. Those firing in crowded or insamta.y quarters were the first- victims, many coming from among young men living m boarding houses, where the conditions are not what they should he. Regulations were issuing designed to enlarge the depth of local authorities powers to enforce disinfection and destruction of articles which had been in contact with victims. Government are also considering the supply of drugs which a present are being drawn largely from defence, stores. The provision of inhalation chambers in the various centres appears to be producing good results Equipment being made in Dunedin will be drajvn upon for the more necessities* cases. In the North Island the general position though still serious was distinctly more Hopeful. The si ‘ tiion ils improving in Auckland but j the native race was paying n heavy j toll Advanced medical students fiom , Dunedin University have been roqiiwi-' | itioned for work in out districts. The (organisation of doctors is now in hand {to avoid overlapping, the city areas ] being blociced w> that they can ..bo assigned to specific doctors who attend cases at central stations as far as > possible. Instruction has been issued that all burials must be made \wthni 24 hours. All licensed premises, clubs, breweries, wine and spirit bars aio to lie closed completely, alcoholic liquor ibeing only obtainable by -prescription. The. shortage of coal for use at places where voluntary workers arc battling against the epidemic sycb as emergency hospitals, led to a difficuUy, but tins was met temporarily by » eolliei ben g brought to the wharf on Saturday aim one hundred tons unloaded for disposal at the Mayor’s discretion. A cheering feature of the epidemic is the comparative immunity enjoyed by children most fatal cases being over forty-five years of age

AT OAM Alt IT. 0 AMARU, This Day. Influenza is widespread here, hut l' •ifenerallv of a mild type, though they* a few severe cases in the hospital. Four deaths are reported, two of cases .taken off through trains "farmed .stages. Energetic measures have been taken to combat the disease, a large hall being fitted up as a supplementary Ihospitnl in case one is needed. shipping. SYDNEY. This Day. The departure of the Mocraki for New Zealand on Saturday was postponed at the last moment owing to a number of members of the crew on .the Sydney articles, signing off. She is .expected to sail to-day. Arrived, —Maroro. SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS. WELLINGTON, This Day. ' The School Inspectors of the Donum ion in view of the exigencies of the present epidemic, are being instructed to exercise, in their discretion, all powers granted by results for acceptance of schools records and other means ol judgment in, evidence of the attainments required for certificates of either proficiency or competency in primary schools. Special examinations, it is trusted, will thereby in most cases be avoided without prejudice to the claims of candidates to free education in secondary schols. QUARANTINE STATIONS.

WELLINGTON, This Lay. The Defence Department is considering the question of making quarantine stations now utilized as internment camps available for quarantining returning troops on transports, where influenza has occurred. The necessity of this step is stressed by the recent occurrence at Auckland. ,

FIXING PRICES. WELLINGTON, This Day. An o rder-in-Council is issued to-day fixing the prices of fish, fruit, and vegetables. .