Hokitika Guardian & Evening star TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19th, 1918. THE PREVAILING EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening star TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19th, 1918. THE PREVAILING EPIDEMIC.

The epidemic now so . widespread throughout, the Dominion, appears to have taken such a hold of the various communities where it has appeared, that it is necerfsary in the general interests for all possible precautions to he taken both publicly and privately, whether or not the complaint is in a more or less serious prevalence. It is suggested that most of the fatal cases have resulted from some initial neglect, precautions not being attempted till the patient lias been too far gone. Precaution should therefore he the watchword, and with that safeguard rigorously applied there will he loss occasion for cure. Folk travelling from home have been apt to treat, an attack lightly. They have persevered with their business or pleasure, as the case might he hoping to stave off any attack which might overtake them, trusting to their good luck to reach home, or some othei haven where they can rest- quietly and undergo any necessary treatment. This persistence has been the cause of several deaths and actually is most foolhardy. From time to time the medical faculty has made known simple preventative measures which all should take in one form or the other to ward off the disease. The attention to the person is of paramount importance, as a means to prevention. All attention should he .riven to matters of sanitation, with a liberal . use of disinfectants. Patients should lav up at once, resort to strict isolation and adopt remedial measures. No doubt much of th? contagion lias arisen through folk in the early stage moving about, and mixing among pco pie. Contagion has arisen also by those supposed to ho convalescent moving about too freely and causing infection. To fight the epidemic speedily people must realise that this is largely a personal battle each individual doing what he can for'him or herself and in the interests of the whole community not taking any liberties which will by any means he the cause for a spread mf the serious disease. Those, wlu> can, should assist wherever possible.. There is the urgent, need for more nursing help at the local hospital and the tempo ran- institution where hands of noble women are doing splendid work for the public good. But if all cases arc, to receive the attention they require in the wav of nursing, it will he necessary nt both institutions to see the staft augmented. It i» good to hear that the Public Health authorities are sending some help to Dr Teichelmami, who lias had the full burden on Ins hands. Addition help is expected tins evening, and will he very welcome, as owing to so much sickness in the tow n, He ,ocnl medical officer is not able to visit patients in the «>»>itry meet the call. H> readwti ot ." f ’ happening elsewhere, and especiall> at iV*. people as a whole that spreading of the disease rests. Jn daily regularity » in "««*"** adopt preventative precau ions • every way possible to Book to danger of genial infeetion. Aa fa a can be gathered the general outlook in this district, is not unfa\owabl e„«» beiog neeounted for s »t,.Feet.or,ly.