The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1927. INFLUENZA RE-APPEARING.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1927. INFLUENZA RE-APPEARING.

Tjik reports of the reappearance of in--1 llucnza in Europe are disquieting, that having; been the source of the trouhlo i previously. ]''rom the cabled news it would appear a rather serious wave is sweeping over Europe, and needless to say the recurrence will warn the i Health authorites in all countries to he on the alert to combat, any serious invasion by an epidemic which makes itself so universal. According to Dr .MclCibbin of the FTealfh Department there is a similarity with the type of influenza which was experienced in New Zealand last winter—fortunately much milder in its general effect than the 1919-21) visitation, which was a very serious experience for this country. Precautionary measures are sure to he organised with very little delay. Since the occasion of the heavy visitation a good deal lias men learned of the disease, and the medical profession is now I letter equipped to fight the invasion, which it would appear is likely to he recurring periodically. That phase of the matter is having special attention, and the research work going on in regard to the mysteries of influenza in the different countries must now he very comprehensive and from the sum of what is being gleaned, much valuable information should now lie available. There have at least been signs . that year hv year, the virulence of influenza is waning. Improved treatment and better care may be the cause for the effective change, hut it- is at least satisfactory that a world improvement is taking place. “Influenza” stated Dr McKibhiu to a reporter, “was prevalent in England and ‘Western Europe and North America lastwinter, not with anything like the severity of the pandemic of 1918-19 hut sufficient to take toll of ninny old and young persons. The last epidemic of this disease in New Zealand was in 1929, in which year -180 deaths occurred from influenza and 06‘28 from pneumonia. The influenza which Europe is now experiencing appears to lie the common winter tyne of influenza with pneumonia in a severe form. It is unlikely that the Dominion, will be affected before next winter, or late autumn. if at all. It cannot be too often pointed out that the so-called influenza epidemic of 1918 had some very special features. It occurred here in the summer months, affected the middleaged and robust rather than the aged and young; caused haemorrhages and a heliotrope coloured fact*, and clinically, in many respects was totally different- from the influenza, with pneumonia. usually experienced.” Dr MaeKibbin stated that although the figures may appear large, the huge populations of the European cities and countries had to he considered. Madrid, 'with a population of 1,122.000. had as many as 94 deaths ill one week. The message stated that 100,000 people wore affected in the south of Franco, and that- there had lieeu 20,009 cases in Berlin. Berlin had a population of noproximntely 4.000,000. and of course that of the south of Frame was very great. Certainlv. Montpellier, a town in Southern France with a population of only 81,000. appeared to be .suffering severely, since it was reported that the deaths averaged 20 a day, How- I

ever, it might 1)0 that the Montpellier hospitals provided tor a wide district and served a large population. 'the figures nonpareil to indioato that Europe's visitation was soinowhat. more severe than New Zealand experienced last winter, lint up to the present the indications were that the epidemic did not approach the terrible pandemic of 1918 in severity. That epidemic occurred in the Dominion from November Ist. to the end of December, and caused 571 f> deaths in New 'Zealand, and it is estimated at 20.000.000 throughout the world, ‘‘llriefly,” added Dr AfeKibbin. “the posit ion can he summed up as being severe for Tfurope. hut nothing approaching the epidemic of 1918 and there is no apparent danger to New Zealand. AA’e expect influenza more in the winter months and the time taken in the voyage from Europe to the Dominion is very much greater than the incubation period of the disease, which is a matter of a few days.’’