IS IT SMALLPOX?

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 16 July 1913, Page 2

IS IT SMALLPOX?

It seems .somewhat peculiar that the medical fraternity have given such varied opinions in regard to the nature of the epidemic that has become so prevelant during the past few weeks. If the cases had all the symptoms of smallpox, as reported, the Department should have treated the outbreak as one of that nature from the first, and not attempt to hide the seriousness of the trouble by passing it oR as something else. We are not aware as to whether any deatl s have a< tually occurred as the result of thepresent epidemic, but we quote an authority m stating that no physician

has ever recorded a fatal instance of chickenpox. The latter disease occurs more often in childhood, is less met with between 4 and 12 years', and is occasionally seen in adults. In the present epidemic adults seem to haye suffered a good deal. That the disease is chiefly among the Maoris is no reason why it should have been taken less seriously than if the outbreak had occurred among the Europeans. The Sydney epidemic was named as smallpox without hesitation, and the fact that the disease here is being treated generally as smallpox supports our contention that the public should have been warned long ago as to the real nature of the disease. It is satisfactory to note that the Department is now taking every precaution in. the way of protective measures.