INFLUENZA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1908, 28 November 1918, Page 3

INFLUENZA.

The epidemic has done its worst in Foxton, and despite the changeable weather of the last two days, is dying out. There are still one or two serious cases, but the rest are mild.

As soon as the present inmates in the temporary hospitals are convalescent no further cases will be taken in. If any further serious cases should arise they will be transferred to the District Hospital for treatment, it nursing cannot be obtained in their own homes. The thanks of the community is due to those who so freely offered their services in nursing the sick, providing nourishment and delicacies, and to those who placed their motor cars at the disposal of the authorities for removing the sick. Dr. Pomare warns the Natives against the evils of tohungaism. Quite right, too. But there are plenty of pakeha people who are just as susceptible to suggestion as are our Maori friends. Mrs Jones doesn’t feel well, and is called upon by Mrs Brown, who looks wise and assures her friend that it is the “flue,” and then talks all the gruesome rot imaginable. Mrs Jones goes to bed with imaginary influenza and nerves, and the overworked medical man is kept on the go. Another point: When medical aid and instructions are given (hey should be followed implicitly, and the interfering neighbour who seeks to set them aside should be bundled off the premises.

“The poor little fellow is feverish, and can’t touch any food,” was the remark of one parent in reference to one child; “and I’m afraid ho has the influenza.” “Has his bowels boon moved?” was the query. “No, not for three days!” A good dose of salts or castor oil was all that Tommy needed. It is such ignorance and callous neglect that takes off too many of our little ones. A medical man is called in when serious complications set in. and is expected to perform a miracle. Every parent worthy of I lie name should see to it that the children arc regular in this connection. Go for the stomach every time!

Be careful to avoid giving convalescents a “square feed,” as some call it. Plain, wholesome, and light food should only be taken for a week or two —not hunks of meat and the product of the cursed frying pan.

The changeable weather is very treacherous to convalescents, who must be careful to avoid chills.

It is specially requested that any sick cases requiring nourishment or relief should communicate with Mr Horn blow, or the Mayor, when evervthing possible will he done to relieve same. If this request is observed unnecessary overlapping will bo avoided.

We arc pleased to report a slight improvement in the condition of Mr La rgc. We regret to report that two of our volunteer nurses, the Misses Ebbett, are down with the epidemic. They are, however, doing tine, and hope to be convalescent in a few days. These young women have done noble work during the epidemic.

There was another death at the Motuiti pah last evening, a young man named Pariere Kimura, aged seventeen.

SIMPLE DETECTIONS

First tepid sponge face and then body, keeping body covered except part being sponged. Keep the bed linen as clean as possible, doors and windows open, but keep patient out of draught.

Delirious eases: Hot compress to feet; cold compress to head. Apply compress to feet first. Bleeding: Cold compress lo back of neck, and raise patient’s bead, not feet.

Pneumonia : Hot compress on back between shoulders, which mnsl be kept hot.

Recommend gruel, milk puddings, broth, jelly; no solid food; can have sips of cold water, lemon or orange drinks, or weak ton, milk and wafer, barley water.

Any cases known as alcholic, always pay particular attention to symptoms. Patient must stay in bed until quite recovered from attack. Phohihit hysterical or alarmist hnsvhodics from visiting patients.

Report to the doctor, and carry out his instructions implicitly.

A good many invalids do not find milk food in any of the ordinary forms at all appetising, hut quite a lot may he done to remedy this it the following' reeipe is followed, or varied according .to the taste of the convalescent. Take an onion, carrot, turnip, and parsnip, peel and put through the mincer, then stew them in a fair amount of water till partially cooked. A tablespoonful of this mixture with some of the liquor will make a good plate of vegetable soup if a cup of milk is added, and a slight thickening of cornflour, Hour, or barley, with pepper, salt, and a teaspoonful of Worcester sauce. If onions are. not liked, celery may be substituted. The liquor may also he added to broth with advantage, or used in gravies.

REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS. The Minister of Public Health (the Hon. G. W. Russell) states that instructions have been issued to the health officers throughout the Dominion that barbers’ saloons might be re-opened provided the officers were satisfied that all requirements as to spring cleaning, fumigation, and disinfection had been carried out. Tearooms, hotels,

clubs, etc., would be opened simultaneously in each district, but not necessarily on the same day throughout the Dominion, after reference had been made to the Department. As soon as possible, the picture theatres would be opened on a Saturday ' simultaneously throughout the Dominion. One week's notice would be given, and all health officers were enjoined to take full steps regarding fumigation and disinfection. Mr Russell was unable to give any indication of the time when such notice will be given.

Good reports have come to hand from all local patients to-day. Householders are requested not to relax their efforts in fumigating and spraying their premises and back yards. All refuse should be burnt. Disinfectant may be procured at the gas works.

Dr. Chesson, of Christchurch, finds it necessary to keep repealing his warning about persons spreading infection. “I have received,” he said, “complaints that the public is being served by butchers, bakers, and other food vendors whose carters have just recovered, and are spreading infection. As I have pointed out before, no person who has been suffering from the disease should appear in public or mix with others before seven days have elapsed since complete recovery. This is especially necessary where foodstuffs are concerned. Ido not moan to say that it is any the loss necessary in other cases. But a man delivering goods at houses may not only contaminate the goods, but may, and almost certainly will, spread infection direct to some of the persons receiving the goods. Local committees are requested to give any information which would enable the Department to take action in any case of this sort. In this connection it is to bo hoped that local committees will act as the eyes of the Department, and keep it in touch with matters occurring in their several localities. 1 wish ylso to repeat the warning that all milk should 1)0 scalded, and lo ask people to put their milk receptacles outside their doors, so that milkmen may not have to come into contact witli persons who may he recovering from the disease.”

A SIMPLE REMEDY,

SENT TO THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

The Minister of Public Health has had sent to him what is declared to be an absolutely certain cure for influenza. The remedy is certainly a very simple one, and the lady who has sent it states that the first dose stays the progress of the malady. “The patient must stay in bed,” the writer states, “but even in the worst cases a few days will suffice. The recipe was given by the doctor in charge of Rotorua Sanatorium. I have never known the remedy to fail, even when the patient has been seemingly at the point of death. It is also splendid for nerve-wracked soldiers.”

The remedy is prepared as follows : —Put into a jug about three tablespoonfuls of lime (which may be purchased at a brickyard), then pour over a quart of boiling water, and let it stand 24 hours; strain and bottle. Then take about half a glass in an equal quantity of milk three or four times a day, or oftener if liked, as it is not injurious.