INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1923, Page 3

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

POSITION AT HOKITIKA. There are still a good many laid aside with influenza and had colds, but there does not appear to be any great severity. Much of the .sickness is apparently due to a want of care, with the result a renewal of the trouble. Tiie Health Department to-day ordered tlie .schools to he closed, and that children under Id he prohibited from attending public functions meantime.

[nv TELEGRAPH — PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] OTAGO UK POUT. DUNEDIN, July Ph There were seven notifications of pneumonic influenza for the 21 hours lo noon to-day. One death occurred on Southland. There wore no fresh admissions to (lie Dunedin Hospital, where one man died. The total of cases there is 21, six being dangerously ill. The lending department of the Public Library lias been closed on account of the assistants being away. IM I’KOVEM EXT IN Cllfl ISTCl! I'lH'll. CHRIS TCI I l lil I. .Inly 20. No fresh cases of influenza were reported to the Health Oflicor to-day. and Dr Telford says the epidemic is over, as far as the metropolitan area is concerned. and the schools could safely he opened on Monday.

MKASniKS OF RKRXON'.U PROTECTION.

'Well-ventilated airy rooms promote well-being, and to that extent, at any rate, are inimical to infection; draughts are due to unskilful ventilation and are harmful: all chilling ol the bodysmTace should lie prevented. (food nourishing fond is desirable. A reient memorandum of the Royal College of Physicians states that ‘‘alcoholic excess invites disaster', within the limits of moderation each person will he wise to maintain unaltered whatever habit experience has proved to he most agreeable to his own health.” A ; olution of common table-salt, one teaspnonful to a pint of warm water, to which is added enough permanganate ol potash to give the liquid a pink colour (1 part of permanganate in o.OOO). is suitable either as a. gargle or for washing the nasal passages. For the latter. a little of the liquid may he poured into the hollow palm of the hand or into a small shallow receptacle like the lid of a small tin, and studied or drawn ui) the nostrils. 11l mat gargling and nose-washing, night and morning. or more frequently, are recommended as preventive ineasiiies, though, their importance should imt he over-rated. They may he employed with special advantage on returning dome after exposure to infection in a crowd or close contact with an infected loisnu. A standard vaccine has been used for this purpose in the Ai my, and in siuiie di-tricts .supplies of this vaccine are issued for this purpose in the Army and in some districts supplies ol this vaccine are issued hy the Medical Officers i.| Health for use in institution-, or to medical practitioners who apply for it. The vaccine does not infallibly prevent complications, hut the of its ice have been encouraging. '1 here i need he no hesitation in accepting inoculation when it is administered under competent medical advice. No uni" has vet been proved to have any specific influence as a preventive of intlueuzn. During iniliieuza, prevalence those who are able i*i do so will diminish their cluinre of contracting the disease hv keeping away li'iun all 1 laces cl | public resort and all crowded convey- j ames. Other persons are. in most j ruses at least, able to avoid some occasions of forming part of a crowd or assembly, without prejudice to their necessary cecu| minus, and .should do

Staying at work after the first symptoms appeals is 1 1 - 1 1 for the patient and ina.*. he dangerous to others. Winkers obviously ill should at unco he sent or taken home. Where inllucllza is prevalent, no | erson should in any way |-e penalised for staying away from «iirk, bona, tide, for even a slight attack of inlluenza or any form of feverish eohl. On the contrary, lie should 1,,,. expected and required so to do. \t the first feeling of illness or rise of temperature the patient should go to led. keen "arm. and seek medical l rent meat.

The early stages of an attack me the most infective. Imt infection may persist throughout the illness, and segregation should he maintained at least till the temperatiiie is normal. II the | atient cannot occupy a separate room, the head of his bed should, if possible, lie screened oil from the .rest ol the

apartment. Kelap-'cs and complications are much less likely to occur if the patient goes to bed at once and remains there till all fever has gone for two or three days; much harm may he done by getting about too early (bill and oveiexertinn during convalescence are Irnitfid of evil consequences. The virus of inlluenza is very eo-i.y destroyed, and extensive measures of disinfection a..e not called for. Expectoration should he received "hen possible in a glazed receptacle in which j s solution of chloride of lime or other disinfectant. Discarded handkcieliiefs should he immediately placed in disinfectant or. il ol paper, burnt. 'j’he liability of the immediate attend mts to infection may be. materially diminished by avoiding inhalation ef tile patient's breath, ami piirtieubul.v when lie is coughing, sneezing, or talking. A handkerchief or other be held before the mouth and the head turned aside during coughing and sneezing. The risk of conveyance of infc: ti-m by the lingers must'll- constantly remembered, and the bands should be watched at mice after contact with the patient, or with mucus from the nose or throat. leach ease must he treated, as occasion demands, under the direction o. the medical attendant. No drug has as yet been proved to have any specific curative effect mi inlluenza. though some may be u-vful in guiding ns course and mitigating its symptoms. The patient’s recovery should bo fully established before hi* returns to work.