SMALL POX EPIDEMIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1123, 17 July 1913, Page 2

SMALL POX EPIDEMIC.

Dr. Makgill, one of New Zealand’s Health Officers, has arrived at Bjducy. He vaccinated the Moeraki's passengers ou Sunday, The doctor commences his inquiries immediately. Although Dr. Makgill declined to state bis conclusions, the Telegraph says there is good ground to believe that the outbreak of smallpox in New Zealand is identical with the Sydney epidemic. Wellington, July T 5.

Dr. Valentine, cbeif medical officer, referring to the outbreak of smallpox among the Maoris, staled this afternoon that the position was satisfactory. The situation is still a grave one, and extreme vigilence on the part of the authorities is necessary.

So far th’ee deaths have occurred from smallpox, all Maoris. There are now 23 suspects at the Point Chevalier Infectious Diseases Hospital. All but one are Maoris.

At Taupiri there are four natives isolated ; at Thames one, at Maungatautari three, at Otorohauga three, at Te Awamulu, three.

The Ormondville cases are now declared not to be smallpox.

No definite details are available concerning the number at Bay of Islands, and in Marsden and Kaipara districts, but reports to the Department indicate that the position has been grossly exaggerated. At Maungakawbia, near Whaugarei, where 300 cases of the disease were supposed to exist, it is now ascertained that only one Las been found-

PATIENTS ATE DOING WEED.

Auckland, July 15

The Health Officer states that there are no fresh epidemic cases reported. Telegrams Irom the country state that the outbreak is subsiding. Patients at the isolation hospital are all doing well, but one or two cases were still acute. In the majority of cases facial disfigurement during the eruption is very pronounced. It is estimated that 15,000 persons have been treated with lymph in and about Auckland since the rush for vaccination set in. This afternoon, the District Health Officer reported that another European had been discovered with the prevailing disease. He is a white man who went to the consulting rooms of one of the public vaccinators in Queen Street and was then discovered to be affected. The man was conveyed to the isolation hospital at Point Chevalier, this being the 24th admission to that institution since the outbreak occurred. The Health Officer also reported the receipt of telegraphic advice from Kaikohe concerning the Maori case.

COLLEGE YOUTH AFFECTED.

Hastings,, July 15

The rumour was current Ibis afternoon that a case of smallpox bad been detected among the students at the Maori Agricultural College at Bridge Pa, about nine miles from Hastings. At the request of the Health Department, Dr. Barcroft left for the College this afternoon to make an examination, and declares the case to be one of smallpox. The patient is a youth of 17 years.

Hastings, July 16

Dr. Barcroft visited the Mormon College at Bridge Pa this morning, and found one definite case of smallpox and one doubtful. Both patients have been quarantined. AN OFFICIAL, STATEMENT.

THE POSITION IN NEW ZEALAND. -

Wellington, July 16

Au official bulletin regarding the smallpox was issued by the Health Department to-night.

It stales that one case (a Native) was admitted to the Point Chevalier Hospital, Auckland, to-day. Altogether there are 27 cases under treatment in Auckland, of which 25 are Natives. Some 20 cases are under treatment in various parts of Auckland province, principally at Maungatautari, Kaikohe, Otorohanga, and Te Awamutu.

Three fresh cases are reported at Taupiri and one case is under observation near Hastings. Up to date there have been four deaths, the last occurring today at Parawera, near Te Awamutu.

Dr. Gunn is working among the Natives in the neighbourhood of Te Awamutu, and Ur. Ross is proceeding to Whalawhata, where a case is reported. He is eu route to Raglan, where other cases are reported. Dr. Mackenzie is proceeding up the Wanganui river and Dr, Cozens to Tokaanu, en route to Taupo. Ten thousand doses of vaccine were sent into the Auckland province by this morning’s Main Trunk Train. Some six thousand doses were distributed throughout the other parts of the Dominion. Vaccination is proceeding apace throughout the North Island. The demand for lymph has been very considerable.

EDUCATION BOARD TAKES ACTION.

Wanganui, July 16

Vaccination is going on to a considerable extent here. Special attention is being paid to the

Maoris. The Education Board this evening took the natter up seriously. The Chiet Inspector’s report called attention to the disgraceful personal uncleanliuess in a Native family attending one of the schools and it became a question, said the report, whether the homes of all Native children in attendance at the schools should not be periodically inspected by a Health Officer. The Board passed the following resolution : “That the Education Department be informed that the Board intends to take steps to refuse to admit Maori children to the schools in its district unless satisfied by the Health Department or otherwise that the children come in a healthy state.”