The Influenza Epidemic.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 November 1918, Page 4

The Influenza Epidemic.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND MUCH EASIER. The Auckland "Star" of yesterday reports: — The general impression is that the epidemic is abating, and that the city | and suburbs are in very much better position than they were a week ago. This is true, but while the condition of affairs compares so favourably with what had been, it were well to remember that things seem "so bright because they were sc very dark indeed last week and the week before. Then the whole district was in' an awful grip that no human effort could break immediately. Now that grip has been relaxed a little, but the time for jubilation is not yet. This must be clear when it becomes known that there were fourteen deaths in the hospitals yesterday, and that makes a total of 64 so far during this week. That is by no means an inconsiderable deathrate, though it is a manifest decrease over the death-rate last week.

PLAIN TALES OF SICKNESS. There had been no signs of life in a house within the city for a day or two, so a Salvation Araiy worker determined to see whether all was well. He knocked but was not answered. So he went into the house, which seemed as though the occupants had left it at a minute's notice, for everything was left as if it had just been used. Then he came to a door that was locked. He knocked again, but the uncanny silence made him suspicious. With help the door was forced, and he saw then that he was a day too late. A mother lay dead in the one bed, and clinging to her was a little child, also dead. This was not all, for there were also two young children, both dead, lying on the floor. Evidently all four in the little family were suddenly attacked by the sickness, and had died in neglect, unable to help themselves. There was no' man about the place, and the -Salvation Army people are not meeting with success in their search for relatives.

A motorist was racing back to headquarters one day last week, when he happened.tp glance to.the roadside, and he saw two, very small kiddies standing hand-in-hand,' crying bitterly. He pulled up, but all the two forlorn little ones.did, was to look back into a house. They were too young to talk, so the motorist went inside, and found both father and mother dead. The two little, toddlers were removed right away to the Kindergarten, and arrangements Avere immediately made for burial.

In one case assistance was called in, and the father;' mother, and five children were found to' be ill. The house was in a filthy condition, and there was no bedding. One boy was lying on a wire mattress with a few rags underneath him. Some of the Other children were lying in other rooms upon improvised stretchers covered with rags. Windows and doors were all closed, and the place was like a charnel-house.'

Last week leather Holbrook took in the Rev. Cable, the Anglican Minister at Grey Lynn, who was quite overworked and run down by his ceaseless efforts in the district. The next day a visitor to the Father's bouse saw Bishop Cleary and Bishop Averill laughing together with Father Holbrook, his brother Tom and the Rev. Cable, all in an amicable group. ' The sight nearly stunned the visitor, who, in common with many people thought that the clergyment of different denominations were deadly foes.

TOLL OP THE SCOURGE

1000 DEATHS IN AUCKLAND DISTKICT. AUCKLAND, this day Deaths from influenza reported from the hospitals for twenty-four hours are' thirteen. Since November 1 the approximate number of burials in Auckland cemeteries from all sources is seven hundred and sixty. It is estimated that the death roll in the Auckland district since the epidemic began is about one thousand. Dr. A. W. ff. O'Sullivan, of Dunedin, died of pneumonia at the hospital last night.

DEATHS IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, this day. Among the local deaths from influenza are D. D. Weir, Chairman of the local Bugby Union; W. R. L. Gibhes, a representative cricketer. Three suicides are- reported this morning. Henry Barlow shot himself under depression from influenza; T. E. Tolley, a storeman, walked into the harbour fully dressed, and was drowned before he could be stopped; Arthur Jiggins, a returned soldier, also a victim of the epidemic, jumped from the top of the sixth storey of the Grand Hotel. Twenty more deaths of soldiers are reported, mainly returned men.

DISINFECTING CHAMBERS.

FUMIGATION OP CLOTHES AND BEDDING.

ALSO OF BANK NOTES.

WELLINGTON, Nov 21

The Health Officers are instructed to establish public disinfecting and fumigating chambers. AH clothing and bedding used by patients are to be? passed through the chambers. Auction sales of used bedding and clothing are prohibited unless certified to have passed through the chamber. The same applies to secona-hand purchases of bedding and clothing. Banks have been instructed to disinfect all notes. The department will advertise cheap methods of fumigating. AT PAHIATUA. EPIDEMIC ON THE WANE. PAHIATUA, this day. The epidemic is now on the wane. The country districts are still severely affected, especially the dairy industry. In places whole families are down. Magnificent work has been done by voluntary helpers. An emergency •hospital was successfully formed by the citizens' committee. There have TJgen five deaths, ahu there are five very serious cases at present. There are nearly 300 cases in the district and town, and the shops have been, shut since Monday.

AT DANNEVIRKE. DANNEVIRKE, this day. The influenza epidemic shows signs of abatement. Seven more deaths have occurred in the last 48 hours, and there are still a number of seriouscases. AT GREYMOUTH. GREYMOUTH, this day. Eighty-four cases are in the hospital, and two deaths took place during the night. Further cases are coming from the Otira Line, and workers are visiting all towns along the Otira, collecting cases. A relief fund has been established at the newspaper offices . ; '•' .".' I AT GISBORNE.: SERIOUS CASES ABATING. '..

v GISBORNE, Nov 21*.

The influenza epidemic shows an abatement in serious cases, though the : disease is still rampant. The disease is present in a milder form on the East Coast. Thirty deaths have occurred in Gisbbrne during 7 the-'East • twenty days . At the request of the borough authorities business places are closing at 3 p.m. daily for fumigation purposes. '■-'-":"':"-""::::.l. ...::.„: •• ■ The regular passenger steamer. services with 'GTsbone are still in abeyance.

The tram service is to cease fro.TL to-day for a week. The town is thoroughly organised. Additional inhalation chambers are to be installed in town and at the freezing works. .-:

VERY SERIOUS IN SOUTH TARANAKI.

HAWERA, Nov 21.

The epidemic is very serious in Hawera and South Taranaki owing to the insufficiency of medical men and jiurses. The doctors at Kaponga an<l Manaia are down, and of three practising in Hawera, two are ill. The hospital is full of patients and the Show buildings and St. Mary's school have been requisitioned, and also are full. In the country the position isr made more difficult by the spread of the disease amongst the Maoris. Mortality has been comparatively light, but every activity in the district except that of fighting the epidemic, has. been paralysed: The local authoritiesare active, and are doing splendid, work. From noon to-day The townhas been closed, to free more peonln to do voluntary work.

WESTLAND. HOKITJEA, (Nov. 2[i • The epidemic during the week, ending yesterday, carried off four town, residents, including a recently-return-ed soldier, six country residents, and one visitor. In the same period twotown and two country residents died. Outside of Westland the epidemic is now worse in the country. Only one medical man is available for the whole* of Westland, and his services are confined to the town, where the local and auxiliary hospitals are situatedA medical student who was sent toassist here had to. go to bed immediately on arrival with the complaint.