The influenza Epidemic

Taihape Daily Times, 18 November 1918, Page 4

The influenza Epidemic

DISTINCT ABATEMENT IN AUCKLAND. 1 FEAR OF ANOTHER OUTBREAK. CHILDREN SICKENING. The Auckland Star of Saturday says —Late last night the position, of the city seemed cheery. Every worker concurred in the general opinion that the epidemic wa| on the wane, though the authorities were still fearful that it might break out again with increased violence. But to-day there is universal protest against certain regulations by the Government, and the prevailing attitude is one of great caution, for the fear of another outbreak is increasing. Apart from this natural fear, the whole situation is brighter than yesterday. Tho death roll is still fairy heavy, but it is not what it base been. All reports are encouraging, but there is not yet nearly sufficient reason for any slackening of effort. All the beds available in the various hospitals are being kept filled, although the percentage of serious cases is lessening. Tho cots for sick children in the Myers Kindergarten are being filled. A number of distressing cases are being attended there, and there is reason to believe that the malady is ’more active now among the youngsters. The nursery establisment at the Y.W.C.A. is very active, and more children have been brought in there-. The City Engineer and the City Sanitary Department' are working under instructions, and are fumigating and disinfecting all houses that have been visited by the epidemic.

THE INFLUENZA GERM AUCKLAND DOCTOR ISOLATES IT The isolation of the bacillus which is the cause of the present epidemic has been successfully carried out by Dr do Clive Lowe, of Auckand, who states that the germ is the bacillus influenzae.—and it gives rise to true influenza. Dr. Lowes has also prepared vaccine from cultures of the germ, and in the presence of an Auckland Star reporter treated himself to an injection of the vaccine represent--50,000,000 bacilli, including a proportion of those adventitious germs responsible for the death of so many people during the last week or two. At the time of treating himself with the vaccine the doctor was suffering from an attack of influenza, his temperature being 99.2. He hopes that as a result of the injection the temperature and other symptoms of the illiess will disappear, and to this end will make observations and make further injections if he considers them necessary. Should the vaccine prove successful, he is prepared to supply as much as is necessary, within the limits of his laboratory, for use by medical men free of charge. NEW FORM OF DISEASE Since the inception of the epidemic Dr Lowe has been carrying on his investigations with the idea of eliminating the cause of the complaint. He says that his experiments prove definitely that the illness is due to the presence of a highly virulent variety of the bacillus influenzae, quite distinct from the form of influenza that previously existed. ‘lt is clearly demonstrable, ” the doctor said, “that before the advent of this scourge it was extremely difficult to grow the bacillus influenzae. Since the coming of the epidemic growths have been obtained which reach the height of their virulence in eighteen hours. This, to my wind, definitely proves that it is a new form of the bacillus influenzae. As is well known, infuenza exists throughout the world more or less constantly, and when it affects the human organism, three or four days’ rest in bed, with care, warmth, and the appropriate remedies usually sets things all right. In the present case bacteriological findings have shown the bacillus to be of an extremely virulent nature. It can be cultivated from blood agar-agar at a temperature of 37.4 degrees Centigrade, Its powers of resistance, cultivated artificially, are very poor, and its maximum growth takes place in eighteen hours. It appears as small dew-like colonies which do not coalesce, and which rapidly dip down, being overridden by the other adventitious germs present. It stains with great difficulty, is nonmotilo, and the presence of its spores have not been demonstrated by me so far. ' INTRODUCED FROM EUROPE.

‘T am of the opinion that the germ has been brought to our shores from Europe,” the doctor continued, “and that entry of the new strain of influenza, combined with what already existed in the Dominion, has increased its dangerous potency by one hundred per cent. It causes a high rise of temperature, a burning up of the tissues generally, and a lowering of the bodily vitality, leaving open the various avenues for the entrance of the accompanying pathogenic organisms which are the cause of death.

THE “BLACK” PLAGUE MYTH. ..The actual cause of death, the doctor stated, was certain of the adventitious germs which. Included the varieties pneumococcus, staphylococcus mixed, pneumo bacilli, and micrococcus catarrhalis. The erroneous idea that many have that the unfortunate people who have died had-developed “black” plague was due to the fact that the acute double pneumonia which supervenes so rapidly with an acute attack of influenza causes a blocking of all the delicate air-cells in the lung tissues, tue blood thereby being deprived of its proper aeration. This resulted in the face of the patient becoming blue and cyanosed, due to the presence of impure or veinous blood. The “Star” reporter was shown the microscope slide, bearing the isolated influenza germs, under a high-power microscope. This slide is being retained by Dr. Lowe for reference.

AT OHAKUNE A MARKED IMPROVEMENT Mi’. Swindells, who returned from Ohakune this morning, says there is a marked improvement with regard to the epidemic in that district. All the cases are making satisfactory progress, and there is plenty of assistance for those cases in hand or likely to come in. The fatalities among the Maoris have been light, only two deaths taking place as far as the authorities are aware. Nurse Gordon has taken the place of Nurse Drummond, who died last week. Valuable assistance in both personnel and medical supplies arrived from Wanganui on (Saturday. Inhaling chambers have been established in localities easily accessible to the public, and are being largely availed of. Taken altogether, Mr Swindells considers the position is quite satisfactory. Ho emphasises the fact, which has been repeatedy stated in these columns, that most of the serious eases are the result of carelessness or neglect after convalescence has set in. At Karioi and Eangataua the situation is satisfactory.

SITUATION WELL IN HAND AT TAIHAPE ' 5 1 ' '

OUT DISTRICTS CAUSE SOME ANXIETY. •

As far as the Borough, of Taihape is concerned the epidemic seems to be well in hand. The Mayor has now got his volunteer forces well organised, &nd the number of gentlemen with motor cars who have placed their cars and their personal services at his disposal has been of very real assistance to him in the efforts to fight the scourge. A committee has been formed and reports arc submitted as often as possible of cases that require attention and others in need of assistance in the-'matter of e food and medical supplies. The hospitals last night reported that there was a minimum of serious cases, though unfortunately two or three deaths wore reported as having taken place in the previous twenty four hours.. What is now causing the most concern to the Belief Comittee are th out district cases, and in order to conserve the energies of the three medical men in thejtown, it has been deemed desirable to fetch into the hospital in the town those cases Avhich require the attention of a medical man. It is hoped that this step will bring some lightening of the burden to the doctors. The efforts they have put forth since the beginning of the epidemic have been almost superhuman; flesh and blood can stand very little more.

The hospital in Huia Street last night contained some 27 cases, only one of two of which were really serious. Nurse Russell, who has had wide experience, has taken charge here.

Some of the earlier cases in the hospitals are still in a critical condition, and the grim struggle is going on hour after hour with the grim Reaper. One or two have turned the corner, and the best is hopcdTTor in some of the other critical cases. Meantime all that is possible is being done to help the sufferers in their life and death struggle. We regret exceedingly to have to record the death of Father. Kinkead, who Succumbed yesterday afternoon. The deceased gentleman has been indefatigable in ministering to the temporal and spiritual needs of his flock, and has paid with life for his great disregard for self and his devotion to duty. Father Bcrgin is also in a very critical condition.

There will he many familiar faces missing when the epidemic that is now ravaging the town, has taken its full toll. This morning ihere is a distinst note of optimism among those who are working to combat the epidemic, and the opinion is expressed that the sustained efforts of the fighters have beaten the influenza. A few days of the present fine weather would have a wonderful effect on the number of cases occurring. The inhalation chamber in the Town Hall was largely patronised on Saturday and Sunday, no less than 880 persons passing through the chamber on Saturday, while a goodly number availed themselves of the opportunity on Sunday. The chamber will be open every day from 9 a.m. until 9.30 p.m.

People should realise that tha inhaling of formalin ie one of the best preventives known to medical science, and t his~c,qm b inwith the formalin gargle supplied free at the Town Hall, should be taken by, every person in the district. Prevention is better than cure,, and it is better to be sure than sorry. All that is necessary is that persons should bring theriiselvcs to the inhaling chamber and their bottles to the gargle room.

There is also a disinfecting spray at the railway station open to the public gratuitipuly.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TREATING INFLUENZA IN ITS FIRST STAGES

The following instructions have been issued by the local committee, especially for those in the country. By intelligently following out these instructions those afflicted will "Bkc minimising the effects to themsleves and also save a lot of work for an already overworked body of volunteers: 1 — Put the patient to bed, in a well ventilated room. 2 Keep the patient warm with hot water bag or bottle. 3 Sponge the whole of the patient’s body ■with water as hot as he can stand it. 4 Give the patient plenty to drink —either barley water, milk and water, or oatmeal water. 5 If the patient complains of tightness of the chest, apply hot linseed poultices composed of a tablespoonful of linseed and half a tablespoonful of mustard, every four hours. 6 Keep the room disinfected. 7 Do nof allow the patient out of bed on any account until at least one day after his temperature becomes; normal. 8 — If serious symptoms arise, ring up your doctor or No. 4 Taißape. PROGRESS OF PESTILENCE HEALTH MINISTER’S REPORT. A CHEERING FEATURE. KILLING OFF OLD MEN WELLINGTON, this day. The Minitser of Pubic Health states that reports to last night indicate that . the top of the epidemic wave has been , reached. Most of, the deaths appared to be the result of neglect or ignoranceVon the part of the persons affected. Those living in crowded or insanitary" quarters were the first victims, many coming from among young men livingin boarding houses, where conditions ; were not what they should be. i Regulations are being issued design- : ed to enlarge the department’s and the ! local authorities ’ powers to enforce I disinfection and destruction of articles | which have been iu contact with viej tims. The Government is also con- ! considering the supply of drugs which iat present are being largely drawn j from Defence stores. The provision of j inhalation chambers in various centres | appears to be producing good results. Equipment is being made in Dunedin, and this willNbc drawn upon for the more necessitious cases.

In the North Island the general position, though still serious, was distinctly more hopeful, and the situation is improving in Auckland, but the native race was paying a heavy toll. Advanced medical students from the Dunedin University have been requisitioned for work in the out Organisation of doctors is now in hand to avoid overlapping. City areas are being blocked so that they can be assigned to specific doctors who attend cases at centralised stations as far as possible.

Instructions have been issued that' all burials must bo made within twenty four hours; all licensed premises, clubs, breweries, wine and spirit stores are closed completely, and alcoholic liquor is now obtainable only by prescription. A shortage of coal for use at places where voluntary workers are battling against the epidemic, such as in emergency hospitals, led to difficulty, but this was temporarily met by a collier being brought to the wharf on Satur day, and 100 tons unloaded for disposal at the Mayor’s’ discretion. A cheering feature of the epidemic is the comparative immunity enjoyed by children. Fatal cases are usually among- men of over 55 years of age.