THE EPIDEMIC.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 107, 21 November 1918, Page 2

THE EPIDEMIC.

Whole District Affected. During the past week the whole Matamata district has become affected by the prevailing epidemic. Fortunately to the time of writing there have been no deaths immediately near Matamata. Putaruru, however, has not been so fortunate, losing one of its most prominent citizens in the person of Mr W. Ibbotson. Fresh cases are continually being notified and the band of volunteers under the Town board chairman’s direction have rendered yeoman service. Sick homes have been visited whenever a request has been received, and generally directions given as to treatment. Nurses have been sent out to minister to whole families, and have not flinched at the path of duty, despite the great danger. Mr J. Price, in his position of health officer for the town area, has made several inspections, and has in cases personally set to work to clean up various premises. He has especially stated that the public be warned against taking any risks whatever. Convalescents should keep within the precincts of their own premises, while those who feel the complaint coming on them should immediately take to bed. They should also notify him of their case, or get others to do so for them. Generally the public is warned against the possibility of a fresh outbreak, and to continue to take all precautions. Disinfectants should be freely used. For personal use, a handkerchief, on which several drops of- lavender and formalin have been placed should be carried and placed to the nostrils frequently. This may be obtained from Mr H. A. Kelso.

The regular staff at the Matamata station is practically wholly affected. Several business places are, or have been closed, and generally business is very slack. Much help has been given by owners of motor cars who have taken turns in conveying the nurses to the patients. Offers of assistance will be thankfully received by Mr Price, ’phone 11. On Tuesday instructions were received that all places of amusement, billiard-rooms hairdressing saloons, etc., must be closed. Public meetings except for the purpose of discussing organisation to combat the epidemic are not allowable. The ustfcal picture programmes will not be screened until further notice. PRECAUTIONS AND WARNING. The Health Departments schedule of precautions and warnings are published in this issue. If you feel the “ flu ” coming on go to bed and stay there until recovered. You get no medals for risking your life by staying up, and others run a danger of catching it from you. “ Many people have the erroneous idea that a recent attack,” says a medical man. “As a' matter of fact, one attack rather predisposes the patient to a second, the dangerous period being about a fortnight or three weeks later. Many others try to ‘ stick it out,’ and stay on in their offices or wherever they are employed, and poison the building at every breath. A man who does that neither does his duty to himself, his employer, or the community, and apart from the fact that he is a menace to everyone, he runs a grave risk of bringing on an attack of pneumonia.” The Presbyterian chuch service for Sunday have been suspended. Several of the Methodist services have been cancelled, as has also the Sunday school. Mr A. E. Stonex, part owner with his brother of a farm at Peria died in Aucklaud, on Friday last. Mr “Bert” Stonex was one of the Dominion’s most ■prominent poultry breeders, being perhaps supreme with Black Orpingtons. He was also a big exporter to Australia and America. His demise will be a hard blow to the fraternity. “ Jimmy ” Patterson, an apprentice jockey employed by Mr W. C. Ring, at Hinuera, died from the effects of influenzapnemonia in Auckland last week. Jimmy was very well known and liked in Matamata, and many friends will regret that his young life has been cut short. Among those to succumb to an attack of influenza, followed by pneumonia, in Auckland last week, was Dr P. McNab, brother of Mr W. McNab, of the Hinuera S o 1 d i e r s’ settlement. Both brothers saw service in France. Mr C. L. Innes, senior partner of Messrs C. L. Innes and Co., Hamilton, died at Wark worth on Friday last. He had been ailing 1 with influenza-pneumonia for < two about weeks. i From Christchurch comes the j sad intellegence that Mr W. J. i (Jack) Mclnnes has died of in- i fluenza. Mr Mclnnes until re- < cently was farming at Okauia. <

He disposed of his farm there and took over a sheep run in the Hawkes Bay district. He was at one time the owner of several good racehorses, including Achillodes and Achileus. An S.O.S. appeal is made for help for the temporary hospital.