ADVICE TO CONVALESCENTS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 429, 26 November 1918, Page 1

ADVICE TO CONVALESCENTS.

The danger to the community, as well as to themselves, caused by oersons recovering from an attack of influenza getting about too soon, has been very properly stressed by medical authorities in all parts of the community. Dr. Chesson, of Christchurch, has made a very outspoken pronouncement concerning the gravity of the duty which lies upon the public in the way of taking every precaution to combat the spreading of the disease. Like his professional contemporaries here and elsewhere, Dr Chesson emphasises as a matter of first importance the duty of remaining in isolation until all danger of spreading infection has passed. "All the efforts that are being made to stamp out the epidemic will be of little avail unless the public, and especially those who have recently recovered, or are just recovering from the disease, will recognise it? extreme mfec'ivity," he said. " Business men and others are, I fear, getting about before thoy have any right to. One man or woman in an infective state going amongst the general public, or into any premises where other people are, is liable to infect an indefinite number of others Such persons must be made to recognise their responsibilities, and the public generally, if they knew of such cases, should make it so unpleasant for such infective persons that they would soon be pleased to return to isolation. The public must do something on its own account for protection, and not always depend on official action. This public lack of a sense of re sponsibility, it must be remembered, is costing the country huge sums of money, as well as endangering the lives of numbers of citizens. The disease is infective from its onset, and possibly before, and for many days after all symptoms have disappeared." At the very least the period could be estimated as 14 days from the date of onset, which even in mild casas runs through an acute stage for three or four days. The public should shun any person whom they know during the previous fortnight has been laid up with the disease." The root of the whole trouble lay in tee people going about who know thev were sick "The warning cannot be made strong enough," said Dr Chesson. " The public should shun a person who is suffering from the disease 8S much, or more so, than if it were smallpox, as if is ftr more infective. Personally, I have had considerable trouble at times to impress upon persons holding responsible positions this aspect of the thing, and to induce th'-m to take proper care."

The teacher one of tho boys to give a definition of the vri'rd " thief." As he was unable to answer, ihe teacher said : " Now Johnnie, 1 will give you an example to help you to answer Suppose,l put my hand in your pocket and took out sixpence, what would I be Johnuie, regarding his empty pockets, " Please teacher, a conjuror."