INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1904, 19 November 1918, Page 3

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

There are about two hundred cases in Foxton, but wc are pleased to state that tie majority of cases are of a imkl form. One Native woman died on Sunday morning, and the body was taken across the river fc ■Matakarapa. Another Native woman died in Wharf - Street last night.' AMONG THE MAORIS AT MOTUITI. Mr liornblow, Constable Woods, and Air McKnigbt, visited the Maori pah at Motuiti on Sunday. In nearly every wluue there were patients down some very severe. The pah surroundings were very insanitary, filth decaying near the doors, etc. Mr McKnight sprayed all the houses, and windows were thrown open. It was arranged to remove all the severe cases to the meeting house, which has been thoroughly ventilated. Stretchers were procured, and the sufferers were made as comfortable as possible. Dr. Mandl subsequently visited the Maori patients, and rendered every assistance possible. Constable Woods and Mr McKnight proceeded to the pah yesterday, and supervised a general clean up and thorough disinfection. The two Natives who died on Saturday were interred early yesterday morning. The Natives were informed that tangis are strictly prohibited, and those who are well are not to come into contact with sufferers. Soup, bread, and other comforts were taken to the pah yesterday, and there is a general improvement there. In response to the Mayor’s invitation, a number of ladies met him in the Council Chamber yesterday afternoon to discuss what assistance could be given to sufferers. The Alayor explained that the borough had been divided into blocks, ami each block was in charge of a responsible person, who would find out ami report daily as to the serious eases, and those households which require assUtance. Volunteers were required to assist in these homes for an hour or two daily. Several names were handed in. During Mr Harvey’s indisposition Air liornblow consented to act as registrar. The following volunteered to assist: Mosdames Barr and Harding, Misses Sowell, Kao (2), Ebhctt (2). The following promised to make jellies and oilier comforts: Mesdamos John, Jas. and F. Bobinson, A. S. Easton, 11. Signal, liornblow, Jas. Bobinson. Free, Gore, Christie, Airs Jas. Bobinson ami Mrs Frank Bobinson one bed each for hospital patients. Air Gabites undertook to engage the services of junior cadets to run messages. The Alayor urged all to do what they could to light the epidemic. He said if it was a question of money they could wipe out the disease at once, but personal effort was the must important service to render. SPECIAL AIEETJNG Ok BOROUGH COUNCIL. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held last night to discuss and make any further arrangements possible lo combat Hie influenza epidemic. There wore present; The Mayor (Mr John Clirystall) ami CTs. Bryant, Hannah, Hurley and Kempsier. An apology for absence was received from Cr. Coley. A number of citizens were also in attendance. The Alayor said the. meeting had been convened to consider any further steps that could he taken to safeguard the health of the community. Ho was pleased to say that everybody was assisting to combat the disease. Provision had been' made fur a plentiful supply of disinfectants, which were obtainable at the g;is works, and formalin candles could he procured at the Town Clerk’s office. A start had been made with the larring of the Alain .Street.- The Council should consider whether it would be advisable to make a thorough examination of all back yards in the borough and have same cleaned np. Cr. Hurley supported the suggestion of making a systematic examination of the borough and cleaning up all hack yards. The Inspector of Nuisances (Air McKnight) said he had inspected all I he premises in Alain Sired , ami everything was satisfactory. He had also inspected other parts of the borough, as time from his other work would permit. In order to assist him in his work he asked that Councillors and others should notify him of any eases requiring attention that should come under their notice. He was prepared lo work from five o’clock in the morning until dark while the epidemic continued, but it was impossible for him to make an inspection of every hack yard. The Alayor suggested the employment of another man to assist Air McKnight. Cr. Kempster; Yes! If necessary wc should employ half a dozen more. Cr. Hannah moved, and it was seconded by Cr. Bryant, and carried, that another man be appointed temporarily to act in conjunction with the sanitary inspector to make a systematic canvass of the borough and clean up all backyards, and remove all rubbish after having been thoroughly disinfected, and that a horse and cart be hired for this purpose. Cr. Bryant said that in order to push on with the tarring of Alain Street the new sanitary cart not in use should be immediately converted into a tar cart. The Alayor asked members of the public present if they had any suggestions to make iu connection with

lighting the epidemic. Mr F, W. Gardes suggested that the Council should borrow a tar cart from the Palmerston North Borough Council. It Avould be quicker than concerting the other cart. They had live or six tar carts in Palmerston, and would be only too pleased to lend one to Foxton. The Mayor was authorised to ring up Hie Mayor of Palmerston North and endeavour to get the loan of one of the carts. Cr. Hurley brought up the question of segregating the Maoris. He considered that in the interests of the health of the community this should he done. The Mayor said that he had rung up the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister for Public Health, and asked that steps be taken to segregate the Maoris, but Mr Russell said he did no think it was necessary. He said lie had given instructions that no tangis were to he held, and he did not think any other steps were necessary at present. If later on it was deemed necessary to do anything further he would take the necessary steps. Cr. Hurley; If we have to wait on the Hon. Mr Bussell the epidemic will be all over before anything is done. The Mayor said he had also got into communication with Dr. Puma re, and asked that efforts he made to provide nurses and medical aid for the Maoris, hut Dr. Pumare said there was such a shortage of nurses and doctors that nothing more than was being done at present could be done. Mr F. Woods briefly explained the steps taken to relieve the position at the Motuiti Pali. Twenty-two stretchers had been taken out there, and all the severe cases removed to the meeting house. The dwellings and surroundings had been thoroughly disinfected, and the refuse removed. Inslructions had also been given Dial only four natives, who were not affected in any way, were to come into Foxton for supplies of food, etc., and he had noticed that so far none of the oI hers had visited the town. The Maoris from the Matakarapa Pah, however, were about the streets all the lime, and this should be stopped if possible. Councillors were of opinion that a further effort should be made to get the Health Department to act in the maiter, and it was suggested that the District Health Officer at Wellington should be approached. Or Hurley: I think the Health Officer will do more in live minutes than (he Hon. Mr Bussell will do in a week. it was decided on the motion of Cr. Kempster, seconded by Cr. Bryant, Unit the Chief Health Officer he requested to segregate the Natives at present, living at the .Moduli and Matakarapa Pahs. The Mayor was authorised to get into touch with the Health Officer immediately by (deplume. Cr. Hannah brought up the matter of a nuisance being creatd by the dumping of Jlaxmili refuse on properties in the vicinity of Union Street. This refuse was a breeding place for (lies, and residents in the vicinity were greatly troubled by the fly nuisance. The stench from the refuse after rain was also very objectionable. The practice should be stopped without delay. He moved, Cr, Hurley seconded, and it was carried, that property owners in the borough be informed that they will not be allowed to have tow or llax refuse dumped on their lands unless burnt or immediately dug in. Old linen for hospital eases may he left at the “Herald" Office. Any one willing to assist in any Avay will please communicate, with the Mayor or Mr liornblow. Air. Fred. Robinson has been appointed to look after the Maoris at Motuiti. Dr. Mandl reports that the epidemic locally, while still serious, is being kept well in hand. Mr Langley has placed a number of stretchers at the disposal of the authorities for hospital cases. Apples have gone up in price at the local Chinese shops, retailing at 8d and lOd per lb. The Mayor has a consignment on hand which will ho retailed for the sick at a much reduced cost. Airs G. Edwards lias forwarded us eggs and jollies. Soup may be obtained from Mr Perronu’s by those requiring same. We have to thank Air Woodroofe for a bed, and others,for offers of help. The Mayor informs the public that all householders or owners of business premises who fail to take precautionary measures by thoroughly disinfecting their premises once daily, and who fail to clear their back-yards of offensive matter will be prosecuted with the utmost rigour of the Jaw. Tire Alayor advises that a temporary inhalation chamber is being fitted up in the supper-room of the Town Hall. This should be ready for the public by to-morrow. Wo arc asked to advise influenza patients that where rapidity of breathing occurs to immediately ring up or notify the doctor, and failing to get any response, to obiain a pneumonia mixture from the local chemists, as recommended by the Health Department. The chemists are in possession of the prescription. Those in charge of blocks are urgently requested to inspect all houses in their wards once a day. Make enquiries of patients and classify them. Bad cases to be at once reported to the doctor. Every one appointed knows his district, and if he cannot carry out these instruct!-, ons, to immediately say so, in order that some one else can do the work. There must not be any half-measur-

es or .half-hearted work. Mr MaeArtney made up a quantity of soda water for patients yesterday, which is much appreciated. The Miuisier for Public Health stated that notices have been issued to all health'officers that all hotel bars, bars of chartered clubs, breweries, and wine and spirit businesses in cities, boroughs, and town districts, and within three miles of the boundaries, are to be closed down until further notice. This took effect from yesterday. All hospital boards have been intimated that throughout the Dominion alcoholic liquor is to bo made available by them for use by the people upon medical prescription. They are instructed to purchase, and if necessary, steps will be taken to commandeer supplies. The intention is that spirits shall be placed at depots, and be available on the prescription of medical men, and sold at a price which will cover the cost of the article and distribution. The hospital boards have been advised in every case that arrangements should be made if necessary in conjunction with (ho local authorities, and where possible the local authorities should be the selling bodies for the purpose of this demand. The epidemic is on the wane in Auckland and Wellington. It is still serious in Palmerston and Dannevirke.

DISINFECTING DWELLINGS,

Suggestions for effectively disinfecting dwellings have been issued by Dr. J. P. Frongley, Acting-Chief Health Officer, and householders are requested to take immediate steps to clean their homes of germs, whether influenza has been present or not. Any of the following alternative precautions may he used; — (1) Formalin solution —one part with 2(1 parts of water, and spray room thoroughly. An ordinary garden spray pump may he used for this purpose. (2) Pour to six pounds of sulphur lo he burned in the room. Get an old kerosene tin, (ill it up near lo (op with garden soil or ashes. Pul the sulphur on the soil or ashes. Pour a tahJespoonful of methylated spirit or whisky on sulphur and setalight with a mateli. Alake sure when the sulphur is aflame (hat it cannot burn anything in the vicinity. This can best bo done by standing the kerosene tin in a large galvanised iron tub or in a bedroom basin.

(3) Burn plenty of sulphur candles iu the room. In all cases the room should first have all windows and doors closed. If there is a fireplace, block up the a pern t ure by ramming newspapers over Ihe opening. Other openings may lie closed by pasting paper over holes and cracks with ordinary starch paste. After any of the aliovc means of fumigation have been used in (lie room it: should he kept elosed for at least four hours, or as long as possible. Above all, after fumigation, the room must have a spring cleaning, in which nothing can be heller than soap, water, and a scrubbing brush, well and thoroughly applied.