INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1918, Page 2

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

The infliienzii epidemic is still present in a severe form, both ill town and country. The recent hopes for a material improvement are deferred tiow because of the seriotis development in some of the earlier eases which are passing into the pneumonic stage. Yesterday there were two deaths, and to-day’s report shows that there are still some dangerously ill cases which might add to the growing death roll. Of new patients not any very serious eases are reported, so that it is assumed that the eases now proving dangerous are those of some standing. The authorities are doing all they possibly can to cope with the situation, and every assistance is being rendered to the country districts. The need for more assistance at the hospitals is very urgent and would be welcomed specially. The Kokatnhi and Koitcrangi districts have fallen under the ban of ttie epidemic rathel- severely .and some serious cases are coming forward from ' those localities. As far as possible tlie more urgent cases are. brought to town. The experience in these country districts emphasises the need for more medical help, as practical advice in the incipient stage would tend to greatly reduce the serious cases. .

It is to be hoped that the contagions period of the epidemic has passed its most severe form. There is reason to hope so. and with flic lull in fresh cases setting in, it is hoped the virulence of the complaint will show a speedy decline. Tlie epidemic made jt.s appearance ii„ the Mental Hospital, but there, fortunately, not in the severe pneumonia form. At one period no loss than thirteen of the staff were down, together with several inmates. All the cases are making a good recovery, and there are no untoward circumstances in sight at present. The general organisation oi the Superintendent appears to be most satisfactory and watchful, and in the midst of all his other pressing duties the Medical Officer makes time to keep a close eye on the progress of the health of the community at. Sea View. The attendance at the Inhalation j Chamber yesterday was not as large as on the preceding day, but as attendance Js suggested only on alternate days by

Ilio same visitors, the decline can be well understood, DouTJtiess there '.rill be a fuller attendance to day. The specific used at the chamber is spoken of hign]y by the authorities and is now in very general use all through the Dominion. Additional supply of sulphate of zinc: for Hokitika, Kiimnrn and country districts have been ordered. It is hoped with this fresh supply to keep the Chamber open daily in Hokitika for the remainder of this week and all next week.

At the Westland Hospital the epidemic has accounted for several of the staff going off duty temporarily. Mrs Lang, ford, Miss Lay cook and Miss Michel are among those who are readily giving volunteer help to assist in filling the breach. More and more help would he welcomed.

SAMOAN OUTBREAK. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGFT.I .MELBOURNE, Nov. 21. In response to the Government of New Zealand’s appeal for assistance in connection with the outbreak of influenza .in Samoa, a steamer left Melbourne immediately and is expected to clear Sydney on Saturday with medical officers and necessary equipment. VICTIM OK INFLUENZA. LONDON, Nov. 20. Major IL M. Schwartz, the African cricketer, has died from influenza in France. WATERSIDERS RESUME. WELLINGTON, Nov 21 The Waterside Workers Union have agreed to resume operations on vessels which the Health Committee certified as not likely to he a menace to the health of the men employed about them. Work therefore, was resumed at 1 p.nt. on the boats which had been thoroughly disinfected. HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT. WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. Dr Makgill, Chief Health Officer said to-dav that so far as lie was able to sec,the position regarding the epidemic was eminently satisfactory. Some reports had come in from the country districts, and wore very satisfactory. On the whole, other reports go to show that the cases now being dealt with are less severe than the cases of several days back. The death rate is falling considerably. MINISTER’S STATEMENT. WELLINGTON. Nov. 21. The Minister for Public Health says that reports to-day indicate improvements in all parts where the disease first took a firm hold.

POSITION IMPROVING

AUCKLAND, Nov. 21

The influenza position is improving. One ward in the temporary hospital is empty, and there are vacancies in others.

The Paloona arrived to-day. . Influenza was pret alent throughout the round trip, and all, more or less, were of a mild form. The third officer was taken to the hospital, and two passengers who are convalescent remain on hoard. The passengers and crew were allowed to land after inhalation treatment.

Two soldiers died on Sunday, not from influenza and were buried at-sea on Monday.

Further protests against the closing of the banks Were made by the Mayor and rresident of the Chamber of Commerce.

AIOEIUKI CREW PAID OFF,

SYDNEY November 21

The crew of the Atua have agreed to sail to-day providing that the New Zealand call is abandoned. The Moeraki pays off her crew tomorrow. The shipping companies are unable to give sailing dates . n \

1 At GREVMOUTH. The position at Grevmouth yesterday was if 'anything, brighter, although there were still six dangerous cases. The total number of cases being treated in hospital is 76. All business places have acted on the Mayor’s wish and I closed till Saturday. There ‘is still Sneed for more volunteer helpers. Re. j ports from the factories state that I there have been less calls for soda wat--1 or and the chemists report a slackening |in calls. All these are healthy signs . that the town shows an improvement, and it is the hope of all that the progress made will bo maintained, i The authorities acting on the reports from the relief party who proceeded along the line of Wednesday dispatched another relief train this morning from Grevmouth at 9 o’clock. Dr Telford and severed ambulance men accompanied it.“ The district will he •thoroughly examined and organisation established to fight the scourge, i Twenty-one cases were reported yes. tordav from To Kinga,

None of these are considered to be very serious. Those residents who have escaped the disease are now rendering every assistance to their less fortunate neighbour. Mr Noel Peat of Moana, is in charge of the Hospital .and is doiug good work there.

TO-DAY’S REPORT. GREYMOUTH, This Day

There are eighty-four cases in the hos. pital. Two deaths during The Might and further eases are coming from the Otira line. An ambulance train with Dr Teliord; nurses and workers is visiting all towns along the line collecting eases. There is improvement in the town, hut- not in the country district, A relief fund has been established at newspaper offices.

A WAP UNI CAMP CLEAR. WELLINGTON Nvember 21. Awapuni Camp is clear of the disease. There is only one serious case at Palmerston. North,

j SHTPS TO BE FUMIGATED. WELLINGTON November 21. ! At an emergency meeting of tile executive of the Federated Seamens Union, to-day it was resolved: nu for the purpose of conserving the heal h of the men of the mercantile marine all living quarters on ships are to be properly fumigated for not less than i twenty-four hours and subsequently cleaned out prior to going to sea. j A committee has been set up to suI 4. committee has been set up to car. ' ry 0 „t the terms of the resolution and to supervise the fumigation and cleaning.

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH.

CHRISTCHURCH November 21

Asked this afternoon his view on the position Dr Chesson said: “It- is very difficult to say one way or the other. It looks to me as if the epidemic is well in hand, but of course it will not remain so if tho people relax their efforts the least degree.

A number of bodies were to-day removed to the Linwood cemetery and were to he housed in a marque® untfl they can. be buried. Butchers in the city find a difficulty in supplying orders for' gravy beef, and mutton for broth. Supplies of these meats are running short, and a serious shortage is threatened unless, as one city butcher suggests, all who are not suffering should refrain from ordering meats used for soups. , Colonel D. S- Wvlde, officer direct, ?ng the Christchurch Hospital, reported on Wednesday evening that ad-

missions for the twenty-four hoursperiod to ten o’clock totalled twenty-five while the deaths wore nineteen, including two at The Royal Hotel Hospital. From the Hospital point of view there was lio improvement to report, Tho accommodation was fully taxed ami the majority of cases being received into tho institution were still of a

severe pneumonic type. Prior to the commencement of the fat cattle sale at. the Addington Yards on Wednesday, Mr F. Steel, as the oldest butcher present, made feeling iefercncc to the deaths of the late Mr C. W. Reid (of Messrs Dyne and Co.) and Mr IT. M. Cotton (of Messrs Dalgety and Co.) “The Christchurch Hospital Board made its first effort on Tuesday in regard to burials," stated Mr W. S. Wharton, secretary of the Board. The stop was rendered necessary” he said, in order to relieve the congestion of the morgue. Three bodies were removed the Board providing the means and the work will he continued . It- was somewhat difficult to get tilings into order owing to trouble in securing coffins hut that had been overcome and there was not likely to be any more congestion. There were forty-five bodies in the morgue at the general Hospital on Wednesday morning.

A Christchurch doctor on Wednesday stated, that in his opinion, it was imperative for the Health authorities to introduce cremation in Christchurch He- said that the present delay in disposing of bodies should not continue.

SERIOUS AT HAWERA

HAWERA November 21

The epidemic is very serious at Hawera and 6outh Taranaki owing to the insufficiency of medical men and nurses The doctors at Kaponga and Mama are !dpwn. Of three practising at Ha_ wera, two are ill in the hospital, which is also full. The country position is made more difficult, by the spread of the disease among the Maoris. Mortality so far has been comparatively light, but every activity in the district except that off fighting the epidemic has been paralysed. The local authorities ar e active and are doing splendid /Work. From upon to-day the town has been closed to free more people to do voluntary work.

NEWS FROM GISBORNE.

GISBORNE, November 21

The influenza, epidemic shows some' abatement in serious cases, through the' disease is still rampant. The disease at present is in a milder form on the east coast, Thirty deaths have occurred in Gisborne during the past twenty days. At the request "of the Borough authorities, business places are closing at 3 p.11t., daily, for fumigation purposes. Regular passenger steamer services to Gisborne are still in abeyance. The tram service is to cease from today for a week. The town throughout is organised and additional inhalation chambers are to he installed in the town and at the. freezing vftrkH.

NEWS FROM BLENHEIM.

BLENHEIM November 2 1

There is no evidence that the e P>' Sdemic is serjpuslv increasing. There are 2# eases in the hospital, two of which are serious. Two more deaths are reported. Lady volunteers are rendering valuable aid to the homes afflicted. ® AT REEFTON. REEFTON November 21. The Reefton Committee have installed a nursing station on the racecourse, and invite the services' of lads to act as messengers. NO FERRY STEAMERS. WELLINGTON, Tins Day. The Government steamers which were to he empolyed in the ferry service to Lvttelton cannot get crews. The men are avilable but they demand rates equivalent to 30's per day, which the Government refuses to pay. INFLUENZA VICTIMS. WELLINGTON. This Day Among the local deaths from influenza are D. W. Weir, Chairman of the local Rugby Union R. H. Gibbs, a representative cricketer. 22 SOLDIERS DEATHS.

WELLINGTON, 'Phis Day. There ;Vro 22 more deaths of soldiers reported, mainly returned men.

AUCKLAND’S DEATH ROLL

760 FROM Nov. I

AUCKLAND, This Day. * Deaths front influenza reported from the hospitals for the last 24 hours total thirteen. .. Since noon of Nov. Ist the approximate number of burials in Auckland cemeteries from all causes total <6O. It is estimated that the death roll in Auckland district since the epidemic began is about one thousand. Doctor A. W. T. O’Sullivan of Dunedin. died from pneumonia in the hospital last nigirt.