INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1918, Page 2

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

- To-day’s report in regard to the epidemic .records one death for the 24 hours. The remarks in regard to the dangerously ill cases are very hopeful on the whole, though there are still some patients whoso condition remains critical. The number of new cases eontiuuos to decrease palpably, and in each instance their condition is milder than here-to-fore. The outlook thus grows brighter and brighter, and the view | that the disease is on the decline seems to Ire more and more confirmed by act- | uni developments. ! This morning Dr. Teiehelmann was able, to visit "the Araliura Valley, where there are some severe.cases at Humphreys. Dr. Hogg proceeded to Ruatapu. He was accompanied by Miss Wylie who has volunteered to assist with the nursing of the serious cases at the southern saw-milling centre. Miss M ylie will be instructed by the doctor in respect to each case requiring special attention. The young lady has been doing useful nursing work up north since the epidemic broke out, and her services will be very acceptable to the community at Ruatapu where the disease has appeared in a rather severe form. For convenience in regard to management ,it was decided late yesterday af- . ternoon to open the second convalescent quarters in a wing of the Victoria , School ,instead of at St. Mary’s Club, j The new quarters are being organised by Mrs H. M. Coulson, who •* giving tiio local authorities very material help in regard to the outfitting and furnishing of the temporary quavers now in use. The convalescent quarters at the School will be separate from the auxiliary hospital, and it is hoped to have a qualified nurse in charge. The cooking for both, divisions will he done j at the Technical School ,and it is here where additional help is needed by Miss j Downes, who has been granted leave j front the Overseas Club to take charge ( of the culinary department. i The organisation of School hospital is under the personal direction i of Mrs J .H. Wilson, an ox-Matron of j the Westland Hospital. The community is fortunate indeed to have so qualified a lady available for the task which 1 has arisen so suddenly, and for which expert leadership is requisite, airs Wil- , son has entered the fight in the right j spirit, and is carrying on in a most i praiseworthy way, a fact which places 1 the whole district under a compliment to the lady in question. In respect to the organisation of the School hospital, Dr. Hogg expresses very great satisfaction at the preparation and orderliness of this temporary institution, which he considered one of the host arranged aux iliary hospitals ho had seen in the necessarily hurried arrangements for the present campaign. Mrs Wilson has splendid support in the nursing of the score or more patients at the school hos pital from Mrs A. H. Richards, who is responsible generally for the night nursing. Excellent results continue to be shown at this temporary institution, where the volunteer staff is doing such splendid work under the direction of the able leadership. At the Catholic Presbytery the Sisters of Mercy are in charge, and are dealing very successfully with the patients sent to them in the first stage of convalescence. At the three hospitals quite a number of patients coutinue to show improvement and transfers and discharges are now taking place pracI tically daily

The clergy all are doing noble work in connection with the epidemic, visiting the sick and assisting at the hospitals and in private homes, where the wives of the clergy also are helping with domestic duties.

Airs Massey and Miss Alassey continue to make satisfactory progress.

Air J. Be van, Wellington district traffic manager in the Railway Department is down with influenza.

Air H. T. Holland, AI. P.. who has been suffering from influenza, is now convalescent, but his wife and family are now down with the disease.

Air L. F. Ayson, Cliief Inspector of Fisheries, who has been suffering with a severe attack of influenza, is now approaching convalescence.

A private letter from an Aucklanaei who is visiting the United States refers to the prcvalescent of influenza all over the Californian coast (states the “Star”) This was written before the last trip across of the Niagara, Amongst other matters the writer states that in one camp 17,000 American soldiers were attacked with influenza on tlie same day.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —G JPTBIGHT..’

AN AUCKLAND QUERY.

AUCKLAND, Nov. 25.

The Alavor, (Mr. Gunson), wired to the Minister of Health stating the Ma-

kura was due in a week, and had been delayed owing! to influenza at the coaling ports. I hope you will not allow her to be berthed until vour officers have reported fully to you, and if influenza is on hoard that you will consider suitable, restrictions regarding quarantine, if necessary. The community is von,- sensitive regarding oversea ships.

OBITUARY

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 25

The week-end deaths of influenza include A. R. Durrant, a Wellington hotel keeper and owner of Sinapis who won the New Zealand Cup five years ago. Also T. W. Price, jun. and his wife. Price was formerly a horse trainer, but for several years had been the licensee of an hotel at Hororata.

OBITUARY

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov 25

Another victim of influenza is Major W. C. Morrison, second in command or the Canterbury Military District. He died rather suddenly last night from heart failure, following a severe attack of influenza. He saw a good deal of service with the New Zealanders on Gallipoli and in France.

DEATH OP TWO PRIESTS. WELLINGTON November 25. ' Among deaths reported at the mi- , litarv camps are those of Father Cronin, of Carterton, and Father Lewie, who was sent to Featheraton to relieve Father Phelan, Fathar Lewis suocumb- , cd this morning.

IMPROVEMENT AT CAMPS

WELLINGTON November 25 Ihe serious influenza cases at the camps have now been reduced to 70 and are decreasing fast each day. CEREBO-SPINAL MENINGITIS. WELLINGTON November 25. At tho military camps 21 cases of eerobro-spinal meningitis have occurred. Two men at Tren’tham have died of it within 24 hours AUCKLAND November 25. According to Dr Frengley the conditions are fast becoming normal in the city and suburbs, while reports fromthe country show a steady improvement Six deaths occurred at the institutions yesterday, making 13 for the week-end, as against forty last week. All new cases are being sent direct to the District Hospital, the present temporary hospitals as tho cases are removed . The absentees at the Chief Post Office to-day nmbered 69. Tho Arahura, which has been delayed for 17 days, ■ owing to a shortage of crew, sailed for Gisborne this morning. WELLINGTON STILL IMPROVING. WELLINGTO NNovember 25. The tenor of the bulletins from tho hospitals and districts to-day was that the epidemic was losing its grip. Several temporary hospitals have a number of empty beds now. So many tramwaymen have returned to duty that an all-day service was provided to-day though not as frequent as in normal times

AUCKLAND IMPROVING.

NEW INFLUENZA TREATAIENT

I'LONDON* TIJIKS SERVICE—COPYRIGHT] ATHENS, Nov. 28. Mercurial treatment hs# been tried 1 , ior influenza, with brilliant results-

24 SOLDIERS DEATHS

WELLINGTON, This Day. .. Twenty-four soldiers deaths are reported, including two from meningitis,, and one from apoplexy.

PRICE OF FUNERALS. WELLINGTON, This Day. The Ministers attention was drawn to the alleged excessive price charged for funerals. He said he had taken steps to interfere. Government would pay them in necessjtious cases.

A RING OPERATING. WELLINGTON, This Day. The price of thermometers lias advanced to 12s 6cl said to be the operation of a ring. The Minister referred the matter to tho Board of Trade.

CARE OF ORPHANS. WELLINGTON, This Day. Temporary arrangements are being mado to provide for orphaned children 'p enf H’ n S a final decision later as to their care.

A DECIDED ABATEMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Latest reports suggest a decided abatement in the virulence of influenza in the city. The position in the country is not quite so satisfactory, but this is due to combative measures not having time to prove their efficacy. Admissions to the hospitals yesterday were twenty one, and deaths ten. Among the deaths'at the hospital was a nurse.