INFLUENZA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1903, 16 November 1918, Page 3

INFLUENZA.

LOCAL PRECAUTIONS. There was a representative attendance, including three ladies, at the meeting convened by the Mayor in the Council Chamber on Thursday night to discuss what steps should lie taken to combat the influenza scourge locally, and lo render assistance if required to those stricken with the disease. The Mayor said he had been in telephonic communication with the Minister for Public Health that day. He had made a request for an inhalation chamber, which the Minister had promised as soon as possible. The Minister had asked whether any stops had been taken to protect the Maoris Irom influenza at the local si ttkmenl h\ m tituting precautionary measures. This would have to be considered and dealt with. The Mavor then read the following CIRCULAR FROM THE MINISTER; “In connection with the serious epidemic now raging in various parts of the Dominion, the want of an adequate number of medical men ami (rained nurses renders it of (lie utmost importance that the entire strength of the population should he enlisted for the purpose of meeting the danger which now so seriously menaces the country. The necessity of complete organisation for the purpose of securing the full assistance of volunteers makes it desirable that every Mayor and chairman of a town hoard in the Dominion should at once call a public meeting to organise voluntary assistance, and ask for the enrolment of all women workers who are prepared to assist in combating the disease, A. registration bureau should be established either at the local hospital or at the borough offices, at which should be registered all cases where there are patient- in want of assistance in the way of nursing or medical attendance. For this purpose the town should be divided into blocks, and committees of men or women or boy scouts, or any other organisation, should be secured for the purpose of visiting homes whore there are sick persons, and thus securing all information that may be available. The local medical men should be strongly urged to work ou the block system, in order to avoid loss of time by over-lapping, and lists of those who are sick should be banded out from time lo time by the clerk or other official, who records the case as information is sent in. By these methods the efficiency of the medical service will be greatly increased, and much valuable time will be saved. “For the purpose of providing food in homes where the family arrangements arc disorganised, it is suggested that the Women's National Reserve, or some similar organisation, should undertake the cooking of food. Distribution should be made by volunteer labour by motor car, or in any other way that may he practicable. It is of special desirability for the purpose herein staled, that the assistance of the >St. John Ambulance Association, any women's social societies, and any other organisations should lie obtained. ’ “It is not necessary that women to nurse in the homes of the people in these distressing circumstances should hold nursing certificates. Any women who have had experience in nursing can obtain the necessary advice from medical practitioners as to the lines of action to be taken in nursing'patients. I make the appeal to the manhood and womanhood of (Tie country hi this very serious emergency to he!]) and to volunteer for the work as our brave soldiers have volunteered to light. We now have brought to our homes an epidemic which lias already carried off a number of people, and which, unless controlled by organisation and direct effort, is likely to greatly lessen the population of the country. “Thi s is not a matter for trilling. It i- a matter that demands the entire organised strength of the people of the Dominion, ami as Minister for Public Health I make this appeal to Mayor's and chairmen of town hoards to set up organisations in (heir districts to help the Government. I have to remind them that they are each of them by law the health authorities for the district they control. On them rests the responsibility of seeing that (he sanitary and hygienic conditions of the people in (heir districts are as nearly perfect as it is possible to make them. “The modus operand!, of dealing with the epidemic herein suggested has already been adopted in Auckland, and has worked wit]] great success.” REGISTRATION BUREAU, It was resolved to open a registration bureau as suggested in the Council Chamber, and Mr Harvey was appointed secretary of same. A.il present were appointed a coin- / miUee, with power to add, to render relief to sufferers. HOSPITAL BOARD’S ACTION. Mr Hornblow, representative of I lie District Hospital Board, said he had been authorised to take any necessary steps on behalf of the Board to combat the disease locally. He had been informed that the hospital and temporary hospitals in Palmerston were full of patients, and only very serious cases could be sent there from Foxton, He was instructed to proeux’e a local building as a temporary hospital. He had conferred with Dr. Mandl, ami had secured two rooms to contain four or six beds, and luul ordered bedding for -same.

He would be pleased to co-operate in every way possible with the Mayor’s movement. THE VICARAGE OFFERED. The Rev. Mr -Kaine offered the vicarage as a temporary hospital, which oft'effr was received with applause. It was pointed out that the vicarage would accommodate eight or nine patients. THE MAORIS. Dr. Mandl attended at this juncture, and gave some advice as to what steps should be taken in rendering assistance in households where the whole family may . be down. He said the services of responsible women were required in this connection to assist in providing nourishment and cleaning up the homes. He said that steps should be taken at once to if possible segregate (he Maoris and get them to take the patients to the meetinghouses, which should be well disinfected and ventilated, instead of remaining in their own homes. It was decided to appoint Mr Rore and Mr Bauckham to take steps in this connection. COMMITTEE SET UP. The following committee was set up to organise women helpers: — The Mayor and Messrs Hornblow, Rev. Kaine, and Gabites. Resolved that all women be asked to meet this committee at 8 o’clock on Monday, in the Council Chamber. BLOCKING THE BOROUGH. It was resolved to divide the borough intd'blocks for the purpose of supervision, and the following volunteered to act as'stewards for each block: —- Thynne Street, Avenue to Russell Street —Mr Hornblow. Area west of Park Street, including Robinson, Hulke, Easton, and Duncan Streets and Lady's Milo —-The Mayor. Both sides of Avenue Road, from windmill to Cemetery, including Baker and llowan Streets —Rev. \V. Raine. Area between Avenue and Cook Street, including Johnston Street, Cook Street, Coley Street, Fuller Street, Gladstone and Hillary Streets—Cr. Hurley. Union Street, Purcell Street, south end-of Johnston Street, Franees • and Reeve Streets —Cr. Hannah. Main Si reel North, from Wharf Street, ineluding Hull Si reel. Whittaker Street, Ravensworth Place, Liddell Street, Harbour Street, Clyde St reel —Mr Perreau. Main Street South, imdudiug Cook' and Union Street West, Johnston Street, Harbour Street south of V harf Street —Cr. Bryant. Beach Road and seaside —Mr IT, F, Gabites. The offer of help from Mrs Harding. who has had experience in nursing, was received with applause. A vole of (hanks to the Mayor concluded the meeting. There arc about one hundred cases of intluen/.a in Foxlon, and we arc pleased lo report that the majority are the mild form. Every precaution is being taken to combat the epidemic, and if the public will only keep its bead and make cleanliness its watchword and observe the rules laid down as to disinfection, plenty of light and fresh air, backed*bv our excellent climate, everything should go along satisfactorily. Miss Littlejohn will have charge of any eases that may be transferred from homes to (he vicarage. Serious cases, should they arise, will be transferred to the District Hospital, The borough has been cut up into blocks, and each block will be in charge of a responsible person, who will attend to any matters within the area. Information in respect to eases that require attention should he communicated to the registrar at the Council Chambers at once. Assistance may he required where the whole of a family is down (o administer nourishment and do a little cleaning up. Those willing to undertake such work will please hand in (heir names to the registrar in order that their services may be used as required. TIE A LTH DEP A R TM ENT’S ADVICE. The following advice to persons who suspect they have contracted inllm-nza, or to (hose feeling j J|, has been prepared bv the ActingChief Health Officer‘ (Dr. J, P, Frengley) and by the District Health Officer (Dr. T. J. 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 not occupied by a person who is well. Stay in bed till temperature normal. 3. On going to bed, take drink of any kind as hot as possible, remove sheets, and lie between blankets. 4. Take light diet, such as milk, beef tea, soups, gruel. 5. Don’t depress yourself by looking at tiie bad side. Remember, the large majority of persons who take ill get well. 7. Only one member of the family or house should visit patient’s room. 8. Don’t allow people to come into your room and loiter about (here. ik If no doctor has prescribed for you, take ammonia ted quinine in half to teaspoonM doses in plenty of water every four hours, 10. Add one teaspoonful of boric acid or borax, one teaspoonful of baking soda, and one teaspoonful of salt to a large tumblerful of hot water. .Sniff up the solution as hot as can be easily borne through the nose; then gargle your throat with solution as hot as can lie borne. Brush vour teeth with the same so-

lution, or with any antiseptic toothpaste. Do all these three times a day. 11. If you sneeze or cough, try to put your handkerchief before your nose or mouth. Remember the minute droplets passing from you in sneezing or coughing carry the germs of infection to other’s. 12 Keep in bed till you yourself feel you arc quite able to get about. This will be when your temperature is down to normal. 13. Don’t go outdoors except until your catarrh or “cold in the head,” if you have this symptom, is quite gone. Don’t worry! Don’t worry! Be cheery. DISEASE DIAGNOSED. BY GOVERNMENT BACTERIOLOGIST. Major Hurley, Government Bacteriologist, in a report to-day to the Minister of Health, states : “The epidemic is due to the true influenza bacillus as known to science, but there arc three types of disease mainly produced by it in the present epidemic'. “In the first type influenza bacilli are the organisms that are mainly present. These are the mild cases. “In the second type, influenza bacilli are present, hut as a rule (hey are not so numerous as the organisms of pneumonia, which are also present. This is a more severe type of infection, and relapses ..frequently occur. “The third type presents both these organisms and other patliodemic organisms that are commonly present in severe colds. These are the most severe types. In some severe cases iff (his type a septodiplococoiis occurs that has been present in New Zealand for the pastthree years at least.” A BACTERIOLOGIST'S OPINION. Dunedin, Novemb. IT. Three deaths from inlluenza occurred at the hospital to-day. Dr. (Tmmplaloup, Professor of Bacteriology and Governmenl Bacteriologist, expresses a definite opinion that (he present outbreak in New Zealand is a form of influenza. The bacillus, however, is not that of true influenza. Another group of micro-organisms, almost universally present throughout the world, was responsible for the influenzalike symptoms and supervening pneumonia. TENDING THE SICK. PRECAUTIONS ON FIRST VISIT. The following precautions are recommended lo he taken on a lirsf visit to sufferers ; Open windows. Take temperature. Order drinks —water, if nothing else; soda water preferred, or soda and milk. Sponge (he patient, using tepid water. Sponge gradually, covering each purl id' I he body immedialelv the sponging of (hat part is finished. Report for immediate medical alien! ion all mises where temperature is over TO2. HOW TO TREAT SUFFERERS. The following instructions ns (n how sufferers from influenza should be I rented is issued by the Auckland Hospital Board for the in forma I ion of volnnlnry helpers;— For High Temperature.— Instructions how load : First tepid sponge face and then body, keeping body covered except part being sponged, lieep the bed linen’as clean as possible, doors and windows open, but keep palienl out of draught. Delirious Cases. — I Inf compress to feet. Cold compress to head. Apply compress to feet first. Bleeding.—Cold compress to back of neck, and raise palienl’s head. Not feel. Pneumonia. —Hot compress on hack between shoulders, which mast be kepi hot, DEFINITELY LESS SEVERE. The information received from Auckland (o-day is of an exceedingly hopeful character, said the Hon. G..W. Russell, Minister for Public Health, in the course of an important statement made - to a Press representative las! evening. 1 received a telegram to-day from Dr. Frengley, acting child' health officer, at present in Auckland, in which he says: “Glad to he able to .-ay tbe epidemic in Auckland and suburbs definilely less severe.’’ The Minister's st at emeu I goes to show Unit (lie Department, with the hearty co-operation of the local bodies throughout the Dominion, is grappling effectively with the position. MORTALITY AMONGST .MAORIS. The epidemic appears to be levying a sad toll from the native race, said Mr Russell. All the information that comes to (he Department regarding (he Maori districts is of a somewhat disastrous character. In consequence of. several large tangis having been arranged for. it lias now been resolved to prohibit ail tangis and to order those who have assembled for them to at once return to their homes. The Minister for Railways has also been requested to refuse passage by railway to persons~who are proceeding to tangis, and the necessary regulation will lie issued at once by the Health Authorities to prohibit Maoris for tangis travelling either by railway«or steamer or ary other vehicle. It is not, however, intendci] to interfere in any way with

members of the native race who wish to travel for ordinary business purposes.