THE NIAGARA CASE.

Taihape Daily Times, 21 February 1919, Page 3

THE NIAGARA CASE.

INTERESTING EVIDENCE

AUCKLAND, Feb. 10

At a sitting of the Epidemic Commission to-day. Dr. Hughes, district health officer, continuing his evidence, said that in connection with the arrival of the Niagara, he was advised on October 11- by the Union Company that the vessel would arrive next day. A wirelesf message received by the Union Company had asked tneni to advise the Health Department at Auckland that Spanish influenza, was on the ship, and that the number of eases was increasing daily. The message stated that over one hundred of the crewhad contracted the disease ,and asked for accommodation for 25 serious cases. Witness rang up the secretary of the Hospital Board and asked that the Point Chevalier Hospital be equipped It was agreed that this ■would be done. Witness then sent a ■wire to the authorities in Wellington, asking for instructions. On October 1, he received a .reply as follows: "Niagara arriving in Auckland noon to-morrow. Notifies Spanish influenza aboard, increasing; over one hundred of crew down. Urgently require hospital accommodation for cases. Administer inhalation two per cent, zinc sulphate to all on board before disembarkation. Repeat daily whib the ship is in port. Instruct those disembarking to report to the health authorities in home towns for further treatment." On the same day Dr. Hughes advislcd the Wellington authorities that he had arranged to have Point Chevalier Hospital equipped, and that there was no accommodation at the General Hospital Later he was informed that the Hospital Hoard had not equipped the Point Chevalier ward but that accommodation had been arranged at the isolation block at the General Hospital. The assistant superintendent at the hospital (Dr. Grant) had told him that they could not nurse cases at Point Chevalier The Niagara arrived at Auckland, and came alongside the wharf on October 12th. He was with the port health health officer at the wharf. Just before the gangway was put down, another telegram was received from 'tfic Minister for Health as follows: "Before the port health officer clears the Niagara or any communication wlui the ship is permitted, he is to report to mc through you, and await instructions: (1) The number of deaths, if any, on the ship since leaving Vancouver and if from influenza; (2) whether the disease is or is not pure influenza, presenting the same indications as that which has prevailed in the Dominion for some time past." On October 12 Dr. Hughes wired to theHon. Russell advising him that one death from broncho-pneumonia after influenza, had occurred on the Niagara, and that the disease was purely simply influenza. When witness went aboard with the port health officer they were met by the doctors on the vessel. The port health officer and Dr. Mackenzie (one of the doctors on board) made rounds of the patients on tlie. vessel. A conference was held later as 'to the diagnosis of the disease. There were two cases of undoubted pneumonic influenza, on the vessel, and one or two others with creputation in the lungs. After discussing the situation, witness and the

other two doctors came to the conclusion that the disease was ordinary influenza. Dr. Russell (port health officer) told witness that he Had a case of pneumonic, influenza ashore that was worse than either of the two cases of the vessel.' It. was considered that in the conditions under wdrich the influenza had developed on the Niagara, it would be natural to expect one or two cases of pneumonic symptoms.