INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 16 February 1920, Page 3

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

I-lOSPITAL BOARD’S PRECAUTIONS. A number ol' recommendations for the prevention of the spread of influenza were submitted to the Palmerston North Hospital Board at its meeting on Thursday’ from its oxeeutitc as follows:—That the public be informed that nil doctors are supplied with vac- | cine for protective vaccination against influenza, and that a depot is available for needy patients at the public hospital between 0 and 9.30 a.m., and that discretionary' powers be left to the

j medical stall’ and matron; (2) that all j picture theatres should have lans fitted to be worked the whole time during the

picture show performances to exhaust the foul air, preferably the shows to 1)0 closed for this purpose daily; (if)

that the matron be instructed to get the new ward into preparation for the reception of patients, and that id! available nurses in the district be warned for public work; (•!) that, it lie. a recommendation to the public, that •the key to the prevention of influenza is through and thorough ventilation of all dwellings; (3) unworkable material like rags and carpets should be exposed to fresh air and sunlight, which is the best and cheapest of disinfectants; ((5) that the attention of the Public Health Depart meat be called to the fact tlia-t in many eases sales of second-hand bedding and material which has been infected without sterilisation take

place, and ask them for an expression of opinion on same; (7) that it be a recommendation to Ihe Public Health Department that they might give instructions that, billiard rooms and places where the public assemble be washed-out. and disinfected daily; (8) that, the ambulance at Otaki be brought to Palmerston North.

Mr J. A. Nash (acting-chairman) said that the meeting had been held

in consequence of certain information of a private character that had been received from the Health Department.

The position wa - not bad in Palmerston North, although there were .12 cases oi influenza in the hospital, and one more was abijet to enter 1i..-., .hospital. It „ proposed to get a ward fe.-V g patients as soon us possible, and this would probably be done vvitlim a week. Certain resolutions had also been carried and referred to the Health Department, to whom they made certain suggestions' in the interests of public health. AVhat had been done had been in the interests of the whole of the district, for if they got a sudden wave of the epidemic like they had before it would be awkward if they were not ready. There were a large number of women in the district who had had several weeks’ hospital it was presumed that in the event of an outbreak they would be ready to take up the work. There was also the organisation of the tit. John Antliulanec Association, while numerous volunteors would aisoibc available. Dr. Whitaker said, that while the uso of inoculation serum was left to the medical officers themselves, liethought the time had arrived for it to be used, and he wa s going to take advantage of it, _____