IN QUARANTINE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10279, 14 May 1919, Page 4

IN QUARANTINE

"SHOCKING CONDITIONS'*

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS BY MJCN FROM MANUKA. The members of the >orew. of ■■th€, steamer Manuka, who, during ta« past few days, have been released from quarantine on Somes Island, are loud in their protests against the conditions prevailing at the quarantine station. They contend that the buildmgp, equipment, and sanitary arrangements are utterly out of date and a disgrace to a department which is supposed to guard the health of the public. Jfhe men state that they had no batnrooms, and that the lavatories are ot a primitive type, consisting of leanto's, with oil drums. They say that most of the windows in the dwellingi and the hospital have the glass broken. (Cardboard and wood are used as substitutes in. a vain endeavour to keep the draught out. The hospital is in .an exposed position, and consequently exceedingly draughty. . The patients who were not severely ill complained ot coldness, despite the fact that they had more than the usual number o> blankets. Thirty-five members of the Manufca » crew were in quarantine, of which number. 18 had the influenza. Five or the>patients have died. No provision, it is said, was made for the accommodation of the three stewardesses, who therefore had to live in the quartermas-ter-sergeant's house. The nurse ' m charge of the hospital lived in the same house, and could on one occasion have brought infection to the stewardesses. It is urged also that when so many cases are i« quarantine, a doctor should reside-on the island. The medical officer who visited the island daily' remained_ ior two hours, but this was not considered adequate medical attention "by thw* who saw the condition of the men ' who were ill. There were only five patients when the men were first placed on the island, the other thirteen developing, th* disease later. ,

It is claimed that ! while those whc sickened on the island became ill within two days of their landing and were admittedly "contacts" on ti*a ship, there is reason to believe that some of them possi'Ry contracted tha disease through acting as bearers. It is urged that strict segregation and the " prevention t< any intermingling by the nospitr,? attendants should be in»isted on bj the authorities. It wa« necessary* however, for an attendant to come'ts - the main galley to'iget the : rood "for - the hospital under the present made* quate arrangements. The nursing staff, consisting of only two nurses, was quite insufficient, considering the condition and number of patientb. The bedding was also anything but desirable for sick men. The Manuka's men, however, unanimously praise Quartermaster-Sergeant Ironmonger, Private Wills (attendant), and Mr J. 'totsi the Health Department), - who ■ did everything , possible under the circumstances for the comfort and welfare of those quarantined. The ship's company supplied ail the provisions, which were quite satisfac- - tory.