SMALLPOX SCARE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 49, 3 July 1913, Page 5

SMALLPOX SCARE.

DOMINION PRECAUTIONS. A Ml LI) EPIDEMIC. [l3y Elkcmuc Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press "Association.] Sydney, July 2. A tow fresh eases of smallpox have been traced, all of a mild description. Eight have been removed to quarantine. WHOLESAEE VACCINATIONS. [Per Press (Association.] Wellington, July 2. Every posisble precaution is being taken by the Public Health authorities to prevent the introduction of smallpox into the Dominion by passengers on boats arriving irom Sxdnev. Tho cabled announcement this morning that there was a. serious outbreak of smallpox in Sydney led to immediate action, for the Maungam was hourly expected to arrive from New South Wales. Soon after midday she was in harbor, and made as though to come directly alongside the wharf, as is now the custom of the weekly Sydney steamers. She was however, directed to proceed to an■hnrage in tho stream, and f ' inspection. She remained out in the stream ail the afternoon. The Health Department cabled to the authorities at Sydney for complete information respecting the outbreak, and also in regard to precautions taken there to prevent the spread of tho disease. Before very long, Dr. Valintine, Chief Health. Officer, was informed that the sixty cases which had been reported in all, were mild, and that no deaths had occurred. Instructions were tlr-m given to everybody on tho Alaunganui, who did not show evidences <T successful vaccination, :o be \acnnated forthwith, and no excuses wore to bio taken. ImmediateI}-, 1 } - , Dr. Pol on, port health officer, began Ins work, in this ho was assisted by two local medical men and a. I uly doctor, as well as by Dr. Thacker ,Chrisfc'imrcli) and Dr. Buck. M.P., who were pas-

senders I>y the vessel. Tho six clot tors were busily engaged tor the rest cl the afternoon, for about dOO ptopie had to bo closely examined. Many of these wore found to have been vaccinated successfully before, hut 102 v, ho did not pass the test were vaccinated at once. ft is reported that rot o: o of them refused to submit to the, operation. in addition, the vaccination olhcers took the name and destinaci m of ctny passenger. This war hue for tie information of district nealth officers, whoso task it will he to keep a -harp watch for development of any cases. A little before 5 o’clock the ship was cleared by the port hcaltn officer, ami she hei'thed soon after that hour. The people on board complain that no warning was given them by wireless of the impending hold-up, -e that there was no opportunity to n ake arrangements for expediting the examination and vaccination.

In conversation with a 'snorter t.l.is evening, Dr. Valintine said that tlie Department could not afford to lake any risks at all in a case of this wt. even though considerable inconvenience was thereby caused-. It must be -e----membered that medical inspection of schools in Xew Zealand, so far as it had gone, had shown that only 5 per cent, of children hero were vaccinated. For this reason every precaution must be taken to prevent introduction of the disease.

RICH) PRECAUTIONS TAKEN. (Received 9.d0 a.m.) Sydney, July 3. Mr Holman states that the Hoard of Health is taking the most rigid precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. The authorities at present consider that they have the situation well in hand.

I i-ee public vaccination is being pro\ided. In all cases except two, the source was traced to the clothing factory. The latter premises being situated within the city bounds near Redfei n was closed and disinfected.