“PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY.”

Shannon News, 21 October 1921, Page 4

“PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY.”

MUHUNOA HOSPITAL CLOSED, Dr Valin tine, Chief Health Officer, inloijmed c,. Chronicle representative on Tuesday that everything was going on satisfactorily at the Muhunoa pah, and the hospital had been closed, “in fact the Maoris came and took our last patient away,” he said, “so we closed down.” This patient, a little girl, together with the others would be treated in their own homes by the nurses, who now have quarters of their own and make daily visits to their patients. Stringent measures were being taken to guard against any spread of the infection. The worst was over, and it was only a matter of time when it would be stamped out effectually. Everything was satisfactory at Poroutawhao, and the patients in the Palmerston North Hospital were going •*on well. Dr. Faris, health officer for the Wellington district returned to' Levin on Tuesday from Rangiotu district, after inspecting some of the native settlements, where infection was suspect-' ed. The conditions were found to be quite satisfactory, and no cases were found. Dr. Faris stated that inoculation ! would be applied where necessary at the Muhunoa and Poroutawhao pahs, and the restrictions regarding the movements of the natives would be removed when the general conditions were found to be satisfactory. It is understood (says the Dominion) that Dr. T. H. A. Valintine (of the Health Department) will shortly seek' an interview with the Maori faith healer, Ratana, in order to ascertain whether the latter’will endeavour to induce the Natives'in the north to submit to inoculation against typhoid fever. Medical men, it is stated, admit that Ratana has performed cures in cases of nervous disorders. Fears are entertained, however, that if the Maoris through • their confidence in faith healing, are influenced against proper precautionary measures and treatment, the ; menace of typhoid and other contagious diseases will be intensified.