INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1918, Page 2

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

The epidemic has claimed another death sine© last report, and there are ' some cases still causing considerable anxiety. Evcrythbig possible is being done, and it is yet hoped for a very , material improvement in the cases with : an ultimate recovery. Tho number of fresh cases is now reducing steadily. The disease, it would j appear, is steadily on the wane. Bet- j ter reports are front the country, whore : the patients arc holding their own. Ihe epidemic has appeared at Maori Pa, but not in a severe form. For precautionary measures, one patient has been brought in to the Victoria hospital.

Dr Booth arrived yesterday to succeed Dr Hogg, whose departure was chronicled in the lust issue. Dr Booth is one of the Officers of the Defence Medical Staff, and immediately on arrival was met by representatives of the Hospital Board, and at once associated himself with the campaign in co-opera-tion with Dr Tcichelmann.

Inhalation plants have been established now in several of the country districts, where they are being much availed of. The local plant in Weld Street- is not being patronised so much by the public of late, but- those whose duties bring them in’ contact with patients are making regular use of the chamber, apparently with the very best results. As a safeguard and preventative the. inhalation treatment seems to be strongly recommended bv the authorities .

AT CREYMOUTH. Reports from Greymouth state the position there continues to steadily improve. There are two dangerously ill cases, but otherwise the position is decidedly better.

[ri!R I’KESS ASSOCIATION. —C JPYRIGHT.'

AN IMPROVEMENT

INVERCARGILL, Nov. 27

A definite improvement regarding the epidemic can now be reported. The Vigilance Committee reports the position in town to ho eminently satisfactory, and that there is a marked improvement in the country. Business is still kept closed down, to release the employees for the fight against the epidemic. Nearly 50 members of the railway staff and over 60 Post and Telegraph hands are still off duty, but convalescents are beginning to return.

The number of cases reported to tho Vigilance Committee, and the admissions to the hospital are rapidly decreasing. There are also fewer serious cases. Organisation is being continued with unabated energy to stamp the disease out and conditions will certainly he more normal next week. The Mayor lias telegraphed the Premier asking that the Dominion’s needs as regards financial relief should be met from tho Consolidated Revenue.

AT FEATHERSTON CAMP

WELINGTON. Nov. 27

At Featherstoii the conditions are improving. The serious cases of pneumonia'number 29, and spinal meningitis 2fi, of whom two are dangerously ill.

PACIFIC ISLANDS INFECTED

SYDNEY, Nov. 27

Owing to reports that Fiji is badly afflicted with influenza, the whole of the Pacific Islands will now he regarded here as infected. Vessels arriving thence will he treated similarly to New Zealand shipping.

DEATHS IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, Nov. 27. Four more deaths from influenza have occurred in quarantine here. Three inoculating depots were opened in the city to-day and they were rushed. The liner Manuka has been released from quarantine.

SYDNEY MEDICAL VIEW. SYDNEY, Nov. 27

Sydney medical men refer without approval to a cable received from London stating that at Newcastle the V igilance Committee had been informed that the influenza epidemic there was due to bacon, and that a local med’ had successfully treated 400 patients !■ ;■ swine fever, rather than influenza. Tile local doctors scout the idea. The experiences in Sydney, they say provide n ground for su;\i a them y.

NOT YET. WELLINGTON, Nov. 27

Colonel Valentine staled to-day that hotels, pictures, etc will not be allowed to re-open yet.