Influenza Epidemic.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 9 November 1918, Page 2

Influenza Epidemic.

The influenza epidemic was mcntioned~liy Cr Aitken at the Borough Council mealing on Thursday night. He said he noticed »n appeal to the public from the Town Clerk and was wondering whether anything else could be done to- improve conditions locally. The Mayor said ho did mot see what else could be done. The press wato full of advice if people would only heed it. There were cases of course where it was absolutely impossible to lay up, more particularly in the country, where nelp could not be obtained. He enquired from I>.r. Bryson as to the local state of hea'lth. Xh- Bryson said thajt he had only seen a dozen cases of influenza in Lev-in and sufferers all seemed to know what to do. Thiere were no new characteristics about "the epidemic locally. The Mayor said the complaint was not highly infections unless there was immediate contact witih a sufferer. The best precaution seemed to be to avoid crowds and to go to bed when attacked. Dr Bryson said the germ had a very short life outside the body and it was conveyed by direct contact. He would not advise the children being kept from school at present.

In this issue the Government appeals for volunteers for Auckland, who need not uecesarily be trained nurses but should have some nursing experience. Particulars as to remuneration are advertised and it is hoped that as a maitter of public duty there will be a response from those able to undertake this form of national service. ,

The Minister for Public Health also directs all local authorities to provide stocks of disinfectant and standardised influenza mixture for the use bJ , the public and also appeals to all citizens to use every endeavour to arrest the course of the epidemic and to remain in their own district as mucih as possible. The Minister says the question of closing all billiard saloons, picture theatres and other places where people congregate is under consideration. The death rate in Auckland; 'he Bays, is largely rl.lie to t'lie insanitary state of I the houses of the victim*.

Alii -the hotels in Auckland lilave been closed and the races to have bee® held to-day have been cancelled by the local Health Officer.

PRECAUTIONS FOB. OHIUDKEN. Thef Wellington Education Board has issued , the following suggestions which will be found applicable to all buildings and persons as well as schools and children : .

(a) That tlie schools bo kept well aired and in addition to daily cleaning, receive a special cleaning each week, in each case without dry sweeping. (b) That as soon- as a child is bdieved to be infected he should at once be excluded from th© school, and his desk, etc., sprayed with a. suitable disinfectant, other furniture within" a radius of six feet- to be similarly treated.

(c) That all children bestronrfy recommended to gargle two .or three times a day either with Oondy's Fluid, 'diluted with water to a light colour, or with a mixture of borax, b airing soda and salt in equal parte, using a teaspoonful of the mixture to a pint of hot water. ■

(d) That for reasons of safety til© cliil-.. dren be required to i=neeze oir into their handkerchiefs, and abstain from indiscriminate sneezing or coughing. about the premises.