INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1918, Page 2

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

SERIOUS CASES DIMINISHING

The Department of Health lias notified the Charitable Aid Board of the standard remedy for the. influenza epidemic that is in use throughout the Dominion. Thin hay been handed to Mr \Y. K. Williams chemist who is making up a iv.pply which can tie procured from him on application. During the past few days representations have his'ii made to the Government with regard to additional medical help for this district. It has been found impossible to supply another doctor for the district at the present juncture. lint an advanced medical student from Otago University is being sent over, and is expected to reach here tonight. This help will he acceptable and tend to reduce the strain on the resident doctor, who lias the care of the whole community on his hands. The Public Health Department of Christchurch has sent across an officer to establish an approved inhalation chamber here. It will be established in a room in the Public Library building, where Messrs Davidson Bros are installing the necessary plant. The chamber will be opened to the public as soon as possible. It is on the lines of those used in the cities, and is believed to be very efficacious. Tlu* miblic are urged to make full use of the installation as soon as it is in running order. Reports available to-day suggest that most of the severe eases are fairly well in hand now. A number of further cases are reported, but are mostly of a mild character, so far as the towp is concerned, but some serious eases are reported from the country. There are hopes that the epidemic is believed to be on the decline, which effect would be produced to a great extent by the precautions taken by the public. It is necessary to maintain the fullest vigilance, and to take all possible precautions. The convalescent patients should lie careful in particular about exposing themselves unnecessarily, or causing any risk to the. public by any thoughtless mixture with those hitherto free of the complaint. Watchfulness in every way is specially necessary. Thfe Westland Hospital continues to 'bo taxed to the utmost capacity, .and there the staff are making a splendid fight against the disease. At the State School good work is being done also, efficient organisation resulting in most excellent results. The nursing capacity of this auxiliary institution is almost at its limit', unless move help is forthcoming. ! There is a proposal to open another subsidiary hospital at St. Mary's Club room, where it is understood the Sisters of Mercy would he available to take up a large share of the nursing. The Mayor and Mr. J. Breeze are watching tiie position very closely, and if Dr. Teicholmann considers it necessary to provide for additional accommodation it will be organised speedily. Father Clancy has indicated that ■ the premises named will he readily available for the purpose indicated. It is being recalled that a lttlc over a year ago there wore several deaths in the neighbourhood front pneumonic causes. The complaint was not epidemic at the time, though spread over a month or so, several deaths occurred. The event caused some alarm at the time, though the cause soon passed saivay and it was not regarded specially as being infectious. Since then there have been local deaths of a like nature in many respects, and it is suggested that the disease has been slowly taking hold. Now that the public mind is aroused by the seriousness of such an outbreak, full research should he made as to possible causes and remedial measures. When there is time to go into the history of the visitation, a medical board should he set up to make the fullest research and endeavour to localise cause and effect, and tile most efficient means for prevention and treatment.

Two thousand people passed through the inhalation chamber at Westport on Saturday and,7oo on Sunday.

Dr. and Mrs Monson were removeu to the Westport Hospital on Saturday, being stricken with the epidemic At Barrytown the epidemic is very severe. Almost every family is affected and medical attention is hard to procure. Those who are able to do so” are doing all in their power to alleviate suffering and stay the career of the malady.