THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1918, Page 4

THE EPIDEMIC.

The New Plymouth local authorities have acted wisely in deciding to practically close down the town till next Monday, the epidemic, fortunately, has Hot yet assumed a severe form here, and it is unwise to wait until it does before taking precautionary measures. The time to act is at once, and a few days' respite from work and devoted to putling homes in sanitary order and taking other means to .prevent the disease from gaining hold slhould he well repaid. That the disease can be combatted is an established fact, but measures must be taken in time. In this connection the public is indebted to tlhe hospital superintendent and the medical faculty of the town for the advice they are giving, and it is to be hoped it will be generally heeded. Failure on the part of the few may affect or nullify altogether the precautionary and remedial work of the many. If every individual does his or her part tlhe scourge can be checked and, .before long, defeated, and there never was a time in the history of the community when it was more necessary for all to work together and do everything possible to help the authorities to stamp out a disease that may very easily take a heavy toll of life. In Auckland and Wellington it (has taken a very virulent form, many, deaths occurring daily, whilst in the cstmps, particularly at Fcatherston, it is assuming .proportions that are somewhat disquieting. It rests with tha community itself to prevent it getting a similar hold here, and if the measures laid down by the medical authorities are carried out faithfully there need be no fear that it wilL A warning against the alarming rumors as to the disease being the "black plague," etc., should be given. There is no warrant for such a belief. The medical authorities agree that it is what is commonly called influenza, but with many variations and degrees of severity. Its dangers arise from complications, and tho best way to prevent them is to take measures in time. What is wanted now is the loyal co-operation of every citizen to help the authorities to stamp out the epidemic.