INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1918, Page 2

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

There was a very optimistic rcpoit this morning at 9 o’clock ns regards the general condition affecting the epidemic. During the forty-eight' hours intervening since last report, there had been three deaths, hut the other dnngerously ill cases were not only holding their own, but in some instances, where hope had been given up almost, a marked improvemoitt was resulting. There have boon some fresh eases, mostly contacts. reported ,aiul a few patients have been brought in from the country as circumstances warranted. ' _ An excellent indication of the general position is the increasing number of convalescents at the hospitals. To provide additional accommodation for the serious oases which are arising fiont time to time, convalescents have boon evacuated to the Catholic Presbytery. It has now been decided to open another convalescent ward at St. Mary’s Club Rooms, where the nearly well cases will he kept to ensure' required isolation and fear for creating contagion. As there is a recreation room with a billiard room attached to these quarters, this building, is considered eminently suitable for tin? purpose in mind.

Dr. Hogg arrived from Christchurch yesterday afternoon, having come to Arthur’s Pass by special train, and then motoring through. The doctor lost no time in getting into harness, and paid two visits to the State School hospital, where there are about twenty patients, as well as visiting some serious eases in the Country. ' To-day Dr. Hogg is visiting other country eases. Speaking briefly to a Guardian representative this morning, the doctor said lie was pleased to hear front. Dr. Teichelniann on arrival, that the hack of the epidemic had been broken. Dr. Hogg, from what he had seen and learned since, could not hut admire the splendid work Dr Teiehelmann had done in coping single-handed with so virulent and wide-spread an epidemic. He thought the results in the brief period were quite remarkable. A greatly improved report is to hand from the Kokatahi district also. Yesterday forenoon, Mr Paul Renton, (who is doing splendid relief work in connection with the epidemic) installed a spray inhaler at the Public Hall, and this was taken advantage of by many of the settlers. Inhalation and disinfection is being carried on also at the settlers’ homos in the country, and generally speaking it was felt that the worst cases were now in hand and that the epidemic was declining in its virulence.

A word of warning must he given again to convalescents going abroad too soon and permitting themselves to b? carriers of the disease and so spreading its ravages. We arc asked kv the local authorities to say that the names of any persons so offending will be handed to Sergt Folley for future prosecution for an offence punishable under the Public Health Act. There is a dearth of clinical thermometers iu the district. Any household which can spare or loan an instrument of this nature, might forward same to the Mayor, who will ho responsible for its return.

Dr. Teiehelmann paid an early morning visit to Ruatnpu yesterday, leaving town about (5 a.tn. by motor jigger. There are about a dozen cases of influenza at Ruatapn, and all were visited, as, also cases at Maliinapua and Mananui on the return journey. Hie visit was a very acceptable one to the country people and was much appreciated.

To-day steps were being taken to eiVquirC: throughout the town if there were any oases in need of medical or other attention. For this purpose a house to house enquiry is being made under a block system. There is a.suggestion, also, to provide a central place for children whose parents might' he down with the epidemic, and the little ones are not receiving proper attention. Mr John .Staines is rendering most acceptable volunteer help at the Westland Hospital where his ready assistance is much appreciated. Additional help of this nature would he welcomed. Any soldiers of Army Medical Corps experience would be able to render useful assistance. This idea lias been sent for ward to the Defence authorities to see if any trained men could be spared for service here.

Studies are not likely to he resumed at the local State School until after thu ordinary midsummer vacation. When the building ceases to bo used for hospital purposes irt connection with the present epidemic, it will undergo a searching period of fumigation and internal redecoration in order to ensure a perfectly clean and healthy condition. The funeral of the late Sergt.-Major A. A, Atkins, D.C.M. (Gallipoli), took place yesterday and was Very numcr•msly attended. The cortege moved from the Drill Shed where the body had been taken the day before. The firing party under Sergt-Major Green led the procession, followed by a goodly muster of Druids. Next to the hearse came the chief mouthers, Mr. Morgan, (fath-er-in-law), and Mr J. Cameron, (brother in-law), and other relatives and close friends. The pall-hearers were returned soldiers, namely. Private Wool lion so (Gallipoli), Trooper F. Smith, (Palestine), Trooper Bannister and Rifleman Martin, (France). The main body of returned soldiers, Territorials and Senior Cadets led the main portion of the procession. The officers present were Major Jeffries in charge of the parade, Captain Colelough, area officer, Lieut. Powell, (Territorials), and Lieut. Parkhill, (Senior Cadets). There was a large attendance of citizens including tho Hon. H. L. Michel, representatives of local bodies and patriotic workers. The Rev. Dr. Holloway conducted the Anglican service at the graveside, whore the military salute was fired, and Bugler Ross sounded the “Last Post”— that musicalmelody calling the soldier to his long home for the last Grand ; Parade. j Messrs N. Warren of Hokitika, and j Freitas have voluntarily offered their j services for any work about the hospital or wherever their aid may be needed. Any member of the Charit- ! able Aid Board would be very glad ; to receive any other offiors of help—male ' or female, as the Board is at present unable to increase their accommodation for the want of assistance. Assistance is being sought from Medical Corps Orderlies from other districts.

CITIZEN’S MEETING. Oil Saturday afternoon several townsmen mot at the Mayor’s office and d:sfussod measures for the relief of tbe country districts, particularly in regard to reporting eases and attending to matters of transport. In the absence of Mr Breeze of the Hospital Board, called to Tapanui in connection with the unfortunate death of his son-in-law, Messrs Davidson, Norman nnd Williams represented the Board. Mr Norraon, who has done valuable service hitherto in regard to the epidemic _ in the Kokatahi district, offered to visit the district again yesterday and ascertain the general position, and arrange with Mr. Morel, (the local member of tho Hospital Board), to set up a district committee to investigate all cases considered serious before same wore sent In to town. It was arranged that Mr.

Norman should accompany Rev. P. IL» Fraser whoso visit to the district yen-ic-rdav had been announced, so that all reported cases would have the earliest attention.

The meeting discussed other district arrangements, and resolved to communicate with Mr. Sandle at Stafford, with a view to organising an advisory committee for the Stafford-Goldsborough Awatuna district, Mr B. Ward was suggested as organiser for the Arahura v. district. It was resolvod, similarly to get into touch with tho town clerks of Kumara and Ross, and ascertain what was being done in those boroughs. The names of Messrs Rankin, (Waitaha). Hewer (Hari Hari), and W. Gunn „ MAitavon), Constable Kennedy, (Okarito), and the District Nurse. (Waiho Gorge) were suggested as organising correspondents in South Westland.

Satisfaction was expressed at the meeting that the Health Department was sending Colonel (Dr.) Hogg across; from Christchurch to assist in themedical task of fighting te epidemicMr Davidson was empowered to make' arrangements regarding transport andi utilising the doctor’s services to the best advantage. It was suggested to the Board members by the meeting that instructioni should he given to the local undertakers, (with a view to repressive measures), that bodies should be coffined ■ and screwed down as soon as possible, • and the coffins not opened again if it were necessary to remove same to anydwelling prior to internment. The Board members undertook to take this action. It was further suggested that interments should take place as soon as convenient after death.

Some idea may be gained of the virulence of the epidemic from the following figures supplied from the Christchurch City Council office dealing with the burials at the Linwood and Sydenham cemeteries, the only two cemeteries controlled by the City Council, from the Ist inst, to date, as compared with the same period last year: 1918. 1917. •Linwood 226 31 Svdnehani 103 13' Totals 329 44 'the Linwood figures show an increase, of about 750 per cent., and the Sydenham figures an increase of bOO per cent. Not all the deaths,' but the great majority of them, were due to the influ.onza epidemic.

AT OR FALMOUTH. The reports locally, (says the Grey' “Argus”) show a decided improvement, and the authorities yesterday' were far more buoyant than they wereon Sunday, the 18th. It was quite a’ pleasing sight yesterday to see a number of the patients at the different hospitals sunning themselves, and on the* improve. There were three deaths sincoSaturday, Airs Newlands dying early oil'Sunday morning, and Miss M Lundquistand M. McCormack last evening. A few new cases have been attended’ to by the doctors and the hospitals are' still fairly full. The doctors still issue a note of warning to those who imagine they are over their illness, to he careful, and avoid getting about too soon; as this seems to he the cause of so many deaths. The many voluntary helpers are doing yoetnan service, tend the doctors and authorities cannot speak too highly of their efforts'. l_t i.« in times like these that tfe true spirit of the men and women is l manifest*. Tile local doctors have- had 1 ,, and are still having a strenuous time,; but they are standing up so- it- like the trojans they are, and desert'# the fnil--hearted thanks of the commiWiky.

AT WESTPORT. WESTPORT, Nov. 24

Dr Dunn ,who is the only doctor practising in Westport at the present time (Dr Monson being a patient in the hospital, and Dr Foot e -n military service) reports that there are no fresh eases of influenza to-day requiring medical attendance.

Altogether about 150 homes are affected but the deaths in AVostport and surrounding districts total only six-

The latest death is that of Mrs Douglas Dobson (wife of the ex-Town Cleric and engineer).-

The loading of tbe steamer Koromi--ko has been held up, owing to the “hookors-on” in the railway service refusing to work unless they are under a cover similar to that of the watersiders in ease of infection by IttfLuenza-

IMPROVEMENT CONTINUES. WELLINGTON November 24. The improvement which manifested! itself some days ago continues. There was a cold snap in the weather* on Saturday, which it was feared! might cause a set hack, but from' reports to-day, this does not seem' to have been the case. Fewer admissions to the hospitals are being reported and these are of a less serious nature.

It is hoped that to-day’s bright sunshine will prove a beneficial factor. For yesterday fifteen deaths of soldiers were reported. Yesterday’s reports from the camps stated that five deaths had occurred at Trentham, one at Feathsrston anct none at Awapuni.

A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT. AUCKLAND November 24

The position as to influenza is uotf «o improved that Dr Frengley an--nounoes that the hairdressers, marble' bars and refreshment rooms in the city and suburbs ..will be allowed to resame business to-morrow. Should the improvement continue as during the Inst few days, it is anticipated that another week at most will see the remainder of the restrictions removed. The deaths in the institutions for the 24 hours ended midnight on Satturday totalled nine, with only two or three since up to five o’clock. The absentees from the Postal and Telegraph Department number 88 who are* mostly convalescent, as against 11(5 last-week. Mail deliveries are resuming and easier conditions prevail on the railways and tramways. A few suburban trains are resuming.

DUNEDIN'S POSITION. DUNEDIN November 24. ' A quieter tone has been apparent to-day and . the situation is not a. y worse. There were 24 discharged completely cured from the auxiliary hospital to-day and a large number of discharges may be looked for daily. There were 24 admissions to the general hospital to-day, practically all pneumonia senses. Tho old nursing staff are all laid up, and out of five house surgeons four are ill. Their places are being filled by two senior medical students.