The Influenza Epidemic.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 December 1918, Page 5

The Influenza Epidemic.

AT .AUCKLAND. The admissions to the hospital on Friday numbered six and there were no deaths. The epidemic in Auckland has almost vanished, but in the contiguous districts it is still .active, though not, in some cases, so virulent as it was. The city is now rapidly approaching its normal state of health. Indeed, it is very nearly so now, and practically all the normal business and general public aetivties have been resumed. The telegram recalling Dr. Frengley to Wellington was cancelled on Thursday afternoon by ia message from Dr. Valintine, Chief Health Officre, stating that he had left for Auckland, and that under the circumstances Dr. Frengley had better remain in Auckland. Dr. Vialintine arrived here at midday. The Hon. G.„ "W. Russell has added another to his chapter of blunders by stating in Wellington that measles is becoming a serious epidemic in Auckland. As ,a matter of fact, the. real number of notifications of cases of measles received by the District Health Officer, since November 30 are: Three from Otahuhu, two from the city, one from Mount Albert, and one from Birkenhead.

SATISFACTORY AT

| LIMITING OPERATING. i WELLINGTON, this day "Quietest day yet" was the description of yesterday's operations in eon ; ncction with the oprations .against influenza by central authorities at tho Town Hall. All the district centres are now practically "closed, but the Town Hall will carry on till midday to-day, when if nothing unforeseen occurs the kitchen and medicine departments will quit business. ~ Reports from the three military camps at Awapuni, Eeatherston and ! Trentham show 113 men are suffering from influenza, whereof thirteen arc serious. AT THE CHATHAMS. WELLINGTON, this day. A wireless from the Chathams reports four deaths and a few new cases of influenza, but the position is fairly satisfactory. Two dangerous cases are in hand and 25 new "cases . have been treated since December 1. I IN WESTLAND. HOKITIKA, this day. One death from influenza is reported for the week. All the auxiliary institutions in town and country are now closed. There are 31 patients in the Westland Hospital, one case being serious. Extra medical officers who j were sent here to assist left to-day. I together with a medical student, who j was struck down with influenza imme- ! diately op arrival. I AT OHAKUNE AND RAETfHI. i There has been one death in Raetihi i during the last few days, that of a j man named Christensen. There are i twelve men and three women in the | hospital, and the patients are all rapI idly improving. No fresh cases have I been reported, and none are expected. At Ohakime the position is still I more satisfactory. AH the patients I are making good progress towards recovery. The hospital has been closed for want of patients. Reports from Rangataua are also good, and the epidemic, it is hoped, is now a thing of the past. AT TAIHAPE. "Nothing doing!" was the cheerful \ response to our inquiry at the Town Hall at midciay to-day. No fresh cases have "Been reported lately, and none are anticipated. There are now no patients in the temporary hospital, which is being disinfected and fumigated as a preparatory step to closing it. The convalescent ward contains eleven, who are all bright and cheerful, and were doing full justice to the appetising food provided as Ave looked' in to-day. There is no doubt whatever that the epidemic has almost disappeared, and its complete departure may be confidently looked for in a few days. Unfortunately the epidemic has not i completed its death roll, as it is our I painful duty to record the death of Mr. A. Rugg, which took place early j this morning. Mr. Rugg was a. motor j mechanic, in the employ of Messrs Edlin and Etcvencaux. He was noted for his genial, kindly disposition, and I the news of his death will be received I with keen regret by a large circle of friends. During the height of the epidemic Mr. and Mrs. Rugg did a lot of sterling work in fighting the scourge. Another death took place early yesterday, when Mrs. Gorman lost a young child. The position at the various hospitals to-day shows 25 cases, only three of which are serious.