The Epidemic.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 16 November 1918, Page 3

The Epidemic.

Levin utsis busy.

' TEMPORARY hospital opened."

The influenza epidemic has hit Levin hiard in its milder forms during the past week, ana unfortunately also some cases of- the deadlier liype have been reported, fatal results following in one case. Naturally a great deal of anxiety has bean caused and poopre are beginning to wake up to the tact that a property organised campaign chould be carried out to oope wi/;h the malady. Lev;n has been fortunate in its medical 'advisers, both Rr Robert Bryson and. Dr. Jfilizabeth Bryson having shown great self-sacrifice >nd devotion in their increasingly arduous duties. During the greater part of lihils week Dr Kobt. Bryson Iras been confined to liili bed with influenza, and the burden of the work has fallen on Mrs Bryson, to whom already Levin is deeply in debt. It has to be remembered that Dr Bryson is nc>; omy responsible for this town awl! the large surrounding district, but Shannon svlso has to be visited regularly and an influenza has gripped that locality also it can readily be understood thaf; Mrs Bryson has her hands full at present and needs all the consideration that can be given by those who may be requiring medical assistance. We are nskedl to announce that reqiterts for medical attendance should be in by 10 a.m. It is hoped that Dr. Robt. Bryson will be about again by Monday. SOME timely ADVICE.. Dr. Elizabeth Bryson readily acceded to- a suggestion that she .should briefly address a meeting of local residents yesterdlay afternoon. So many ladies and , gentlemen were present that the meet- i nig took place in the open-air outride the Council Chamber and Mrs Bryson j spoke from a motor-car.

THE EMERGENCY HOSPITAL,

In introducing the doctor, the Mayor said steps had already been taken to establish an emergency hospital at the school. Oae of the difficulties was tlio country casers. The doctor had practically been all day up to 4.30 p.m. attending to one severe ca<-e situatedi in the country at a distamce. That meant that she could not give any attention to the town. It was therefore proposed to bring severe oases in from th© outlying areas to the, hospital where /the sufferers would have the benefit of skilled nursing and Dr. Bryson's attention. This would enable the doctor to give more time to the epidemic in the town. A NOTE OK {CONFIDENCE. D» Elizabeth Bryson ; who Was received with applause, Said she felt confident from what she had seen of the epidemic in this district, thalt it would be possible to avert th© mors serious features by the adoption of common sense measures. There was a good deal - of the ordinary influenza about and a few cases of a more serious kind of wß'ch no more were w T anted. Ordinary influenza was 'a -very simple mati:er, but sufferer? from it should remember that other people might become victims from contact with them. Sufferers should therefore go to bed at once—if not; for their own sakes, then for the sake of others who miigbt'take the desease;and develop it in a much severer form. A sufferer from ordinary influenza might be able to keep at his work, but be should remember that someone else was i going to take the disease' from him and) die of it. "I don't think that is a fair thing," said Ibfoe speaikor, who again emphasised the importance or j sufferers, even from the simple form, immediatelv isolating themselves. Such cases should go at once to bed, get the proper influenza mixture from the chemist and stay in bed vmiiil' all the acnes and pains had gone. If people could be got to use ordinary common sense in tSis direction she believed it would be possible soon to stop the epioemio here. THE DANGERS. A more serioms complaint was pneumonic influenza and when that pet in oiedionl advice should be got ni once. •' his form of the malady was usually "caused by patients getting up too soon and getting another chill. Another point to be- remembered was \tJvat the disease was very infectious, but was only carried from one to aliother bv cotnact. As far as medical experience went, a third person could mot carry the germ from » patient to a healthy person. The germ did not live long away from the person wilJi the . diipease. The smooth surfaces m tne bedroom should be washed oyer with Jews' fluid and the attendant on the patient should wash lier hands an dis-. rnfectant after coming out of M . No other person, particularly children, should go into the room. It was not wise to allow the whole family to take any risk when it could be pre- | vended. WORKERS WANTED. "To deal with serious cases," continued! Mrs Bryson, "we want to prepare now. We are not in as badi a position as many other centres. Already we have been offered the services of two voluntary helpers and we would be glad to know of others who would volunteer for this work if .they are needed. Two capes would be brought in from the country on Saturday that they oould propor attention. Mrs 13ryson emphasised that there was much leiss risk in nursing in iiho hospital than in, a private house because in the former the proper precautions would be taken. She would be glad, to know ot women who could bo refced, on tor this work—thoso with some muring experience being preferred. By organisation' and the use of commonsense methods there was no reason why this rious epidemic should go any tun li-er than it has done. DISINFECTANTS. In -answer to a question, Mrs Bryson said the burning of sulphur was good, hut it needed to be done very thoroughly find, the windiows and doors properly dlosed. In fact the room would have to be shut up for some fivnie. She recommended the use of tor malm as a disinfectant, of which supplies could be obtained locally. Those> who. looked after patients should gargle their thioats and it would be well for everyone Ito taike the same precaution. Th© Mayor said the Borough Council had supplies of disinfectant which would be sold at nominal rates if persons "brought bottlos or would be given to people who could not pay. The lacties who had already offered their seijviceH were Mrs Greggan and Mrs link (applause) and they would be getting the hospital ready to-day for the reception of two patients. Names of other workers were needled, also the services of men prepared to aclfc as orderlies and do whatever the nurses required of them. fjjn answer to a question Dr. iiryson said volunteers willing to assist with cooking in case of need, would be acC "^ le Mayor thanked Mrs Bryson for her advice and three cheers were accorded her. AN INHALATION CHAMBER, Thte Mayor srated that the Health Department had been communicated With and asked an inhahition chamber in Levin. The demand for this apparatus was so great Ithat the sprays could not be obtained quickly enough. The Department had replied that the application would be treated as an urgent matter and the Sl«ry apparatus sent as soon as possible. This was a preventive measure and not a ourative one. LEVIN'S TEMPORARY HOSPITAL.

The infant .school certainly makes an ideal phice for a temporary hospital. The rooms are sunny and weil-ventila-ted and there is a fireplace in each. An appeal for beds founds a ready response

the training farm and twelve have been ini tailed for the use of possible patients; The rooms have been thoroughly disinfected and at midday were ready tor receiving patients.The Mayor and; the Town Clerk have "had a particularly busy time, while Mrs Gireggan, with i;he assistance of Mrs F. Pink, Mr and Mrs Mdntyre and other members of the teachuig staff, did valuable initial 'work.

The Mayor appeals for voluntary workers of both isexes, the ladies to act as relief nurses and the men oo act as orderlies. Already the male teachers ot the school have offered in the latter capacity and ladies are coming forwarci hue the more there are the bt( ;tor because snitUs can then be organised to isuit the convenience of those with business unci household duties. The Mayor expresses himself as disappointed with the response that lias been made so tar. It is only 'intended: to take in oases of >;lio (severer types or cases likely to develop in to such for want of nursing facilities. The Mayor would be glad if information concerning suoh oases were imiided in "immediately to the Borough office. They will then be referred 'immediately to Dr. Bryson for her decision. . The disinfectant supplied By the Borough is in keen demand andl fumigation is' the order of 'che day. The Mayor was in communication with the Mayor of Palmers ton North to-day in an endeavour to obtain a supply of the standard influenza remedy. Unfortunately none is available there and the Mayor then sent an urgent request to the Health Department, Wellington, by telephone. He pointed out that the local chemists were running short, bliat this was the centre of a large and 1 scattered population and that many urgent country inquiries were being made for die remedy. The Department promised, if possibile, to send a Lmited quantity up by to-night's train and a large quantity on Monday.

The Mayor also repeated an urgent request for an inhalation chamber apparatus and the Department stated that one was being prepared .for use at the railway station as soon as possible.

The public are nob.lied that all books must be returned to the library by Tuesday next and for 'ihis purpose the 'lending department will be kept open till the day mentioned. The public reading room and the lending department will not be available to the public till fu'il;lier notice.

It is the. intention to have the whole bu'.lding disinfected and therefore borrowers of books are urgently requested to return their books by Tuesday even in E nexlb.

One of the needs of the hospital is a supply of lemons and oranges. The Mayor succeeded in commandeering <a supply of lemons from Manakau lihis morning and Mr W. G. Adkin kindly sent in some home-grown ones. Anyone having lemons growing will he doing a service by sending all they can ppare to the temporary hospital.

The local Church .services to-morrow have been postponed, including the Presbyterian' anniversary celebration.

The stock auctioneers notify the pod>ponement of the Levin stock sales advertised for next Tuesday.

The meeting arranged by the local Labour Party for to-night h'as been cancelled.

"The epidemic appears, to bo levying a heavv lioll from the Maoris," said the Minister of Public Health yesterday. "All the information that oomes to hand is of a somewhat disastrous nature regarding the Maori districts." All tangit; have been prohibited absolutely.

The epidemic is causing; serious inconvenience to dairy farmerp. In sevoraS cases that has come under the notice of the Otaki Mail, the cows have had to go unmilked on more than one occasion. This has been more marked in the Te Horo district, where a great many people are still suffering.

The commercial section of the city (says the Dominion) now presents a striking contrast to its usual rush and bustle. Nearly every office building is closed nitiil Monday, and the streets are practically de: ci ted. During the recess cleaners are being employed in thoroughly cleausiiur the offices, buildings and backyards.

Three medical men died from influenza during the week—Dr Matthew Holmes, of Wellington; Dr. Henley, of Napier, and Dr. William Bey. of Greytown.

Other deaths recorded are those of "".'r David "Robertson. firgb _ assistant liuu-ter of the Butt District High School: Mrs W. Jolly, wife of a wellknown I'almerston bowler; Mr Robt. Gawity, buyer for Garrity and Son's bacon factory, Palmerston North ; and Mr P. Taipiia, of Ofiaiki, a member of the y->rtli Island Native Military Appeal Boardl, and one of the most influential Maoris in the North Island.

"I have never been very keen about | Prohibit .mi." said Mr William Foster, I captain ni the Wellinci'on East Health District, and headmaster of the Clyde Quay S<-!inol, yesterday, "but if 1 bad my way I would close up every hotel in the Dominion forthwith. It's all very well for people to hum an ha over fehe pros and. cons of that business, but ir they could see what our voluntary workers have seen in the last day or two they would have no doubts about the urgency of I'Jhe case. It is something terrible to see men coming home iin liquor with desperate eases of influenza, in the house. As everyone knows, many i,f the houses in the city are cruelly overcrowded, and a proportion of ' the people are cither drinking through t'riglit or for drinking'e sake, and 60 are rendiering t difficult for one to oope with the disease." The Government has decided that the befit oranges and lemons shall be retailed n|i 3d; each and if dealers will not at the price- thw police may enter then* premises and commandeer all supplies. Before the Order was gazetted ! the price of inferior oranges jumped ' in Levin from 4d to 8d and yesterday, after news of the Government's action came to hand, there was a sudden disappearance of all fruit from local shop/ 1 . In one case the assistance of the police was invoked! to compel the dealer, a Chinese, to produce the presunlaMy cornered oranges. The suggestion is made iJiat Otaki lemons phould be used as largely as possibly or as supplies will go. The local banks are taking steps to disinfect all banknotes returned to the Bank before they are a-e^issued. EASY WITH THE HOTELS! (To the Editor). Sir.—ln the midst of this prevailing epidemic be as strict as possible with all places likely to spread the trouble. Shut up i';he and billiard rooms! dose every picture show, school and church in the country! But do not, for goodness' sake, listen to the silly people who want to clof-e the pubs 1 Surely tliese institutions never disseminate anything- but the best brands to whisky customers. Yet there are always people who want to rob the poor man of his beer and -the poor publican of liis dollars. Yours etc. SAM. SNOKES. WORiDS OF ADVICE. "DON'T WORRY,""BE CHEERFUL." The following advice to persons who suspoct they have contracted influenza

or to those feeling ill, has ed by the Acting-Chief Heal-t&«wBKS« (Dr J. P. Frengley) and by the District Health Officer (Dr J. T. Hughes): '1. Go to bed directly you feel symptoms like pain in the head and limbs or a "cold." 2. Go to bed in room occupied uy a person who is well. Stay in bed tifl temperature normal. 3. On going to bed, take drink of any kind as hot as possible, remove and lie between blankets. 4. Take light diet, such as milk, beef tea, soups, gruel. 1 5. Don't depress yourself by looking at the bad side. Remember, the large majority of persons whio take ill get well. 7 S Only one member of the family or houf-e should visit patient's room. 8. Don't allow people to com© into your room and loiter about there. 9. If no doctor hais prescribed for you take ammoniated quinine in half to teaspoonful doses in plenty of water every four hours. 10. Add one teaspoonful of boric acid or borax, one teaspoonful of baEng soda, and one teaspoonful oif salt_ to a large tumblerful of hot water. Sniff up this solution as hot as can be easily borne through the nope; then gargle your thrort: with solution as hot as can be borne. Brush your teeth with the same solution or with any antiseptic tooth-paste. Do all these three, times a day.

11. If you sneeze or cough try to put your handkerchief before your nose or moulih. Remember the minute drops nassing from you in sneezing or coughing carry the gerrw of infection to others.

12. Keep in bed till yon yourself feel you are quite able to get about. This will be when your temperature 'k down to normal.

13. Don't go outdoors except your catarrh or "cold in the hoad,"_if you have had this symptom, is quite gone. 14. DON'T WORRY! DON'T WORRY! BE CHEERY! THE APPEAL. TO COURAGE. Let everybody face the ordeal with courage, says the Palmerston Times, in referring to the epsdiemic._ The influence of mind over body is all-impor-'iant. Precautions are needful, of course, and the preventives prescribed should not be neglected, hut the main thing is to follow blue example of those who have faced infiinitely greater dangers, hardships and ordeals. 'It was a matter of pride wish our gien in the firing line not "to get the wind! up" whatever happened, and that motto, is good enough for us in the present visitation. The doctors are doing their bit and more, a little army of courageous, resourceful men and women &Te casting their own interests to the winds an order that they may render a service to their fellows. This is fine. It_ remains for the resi': of us to keep a stiff upper lip and the harder the trial the larger the smite. Also, and this is important: Don't gossip, and dion't give an attentive ear to -the horror-mongers and calamity howlers. Show 'em your back or the door. Think health, breathe courage, and be of good cheer! These things were sent to try lis just to find out whether the outcrop is brummagem or gold. And the gold is uppermost all right, all right'. Palmerston doctors and nurses are running the limit, but Dannevirke and district have no doctor at all. Are they down-hearted P No. The nurse*-' and' emergency men and women are right into it as our nnrses and emergency men and women are here, .it is bringing us all into closer touch and sympathy. We are beginning to find things out. _ We know now that an injury to one is an injury to all, hut better '3ian that we are realising what fine things help, confidence and courage are.