INFLUENZA.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1918, Page 5

INFLUENZA.

A DUNEDIN REPORT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. Eight influenza patients were admitted to tho hospital to-day. There are now close on 100 patients in the institution. One more death has been recorded. The waterside workers decided to cease work on the water-front for seven days from 5 p.m. to-day. They also decided to ask that all vessels now berthed at the Dunedin wharves be removed immediately to anchorage in the stream.

IN THE CAMPS. " (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington. Nov. 14. The Minister for Defence stated this evening that the latest reports from the camps indicated that there lhad been a substantial improvement in the situation. The epidemic was being checked, and the sick parades and the admissions to the hospitals were being reduced. Surgeon-General Henderson. DirectorGeneral of Medical Services, had visited Featllierston camp, and he reported that the organisation was excellent. Everybody from the officer commanding to the orderlies was working splendidly, and the measures that had been adopted were proving effective. The Minister added that the number of serious cases was large, in the neighborhood of 140, but Hie hoped that a turn for the better would soon be reflected in these figures.

The demobilisation of the men at present in the training camps cannot proceed until the influenza epidemic has been checked. Nearly all the men are eitiher patients or contacts, and so are held by the medical authorities. Apart from that fact, the dislocation of the steamer services and the thinning of railway staffs makes it impossible to arrange transport for any large bodies of troops. "We shall not hold the men a day longer than we need to," said tlhe Minister for Defence this evening. Much complaint has been made regarding the rule that men leaving the camps on leave witihout pay are to lie debited with the value of any uniforms or kit they have in their possession. Speaking on this point, the Defence Minister said it was not intended to allow men who had not been on service abroad to retain their uniforms. They were expected to retain their civilian clothes in camp until immediately before their embarkation, and if they (had all done this no difficulty would have arisen.

SERIOUS IN WELLINGTON. The.influenza epidemic now raging is probably the most serious thing of the kind that ever visited New Zealand (writes the Wellington correspondent of the Eltlham Argus). Its ravages are widespread and deadly, and people are beginning to realise what a serious thing they are going through. It is a pity that it i 3 usualy referred to as, "influenza." That is such a well-known and common complaint that the word "influenza" has very little effect upon the average man. If it were called "pneumonic plague"—and tlhat is how I have heard a medical man describe itpeople might look upon the matter more seriously and take greater precautions. It must be dealt with in the very early stages. People attacked by it must take to bed at once. To endeavor to fight against it is madness. By going to bed at once, thereby keeping an even temperature, and obtaining medical attendance, the evil secondary effects may be avoided —neglect is inviting death. I do not wish to play the part of an alarmist, but it is necessary to sternly warn people of the danger that is abroad. Disinfectants should be freely used. Many people gargle their throats at least twice a day with Jeyes' Fluid, Condy's Fluid, or some other recommended disinfectant. They also sniff the liquid up the nostrils and eject it through the mouth. The nasal passages and the back of tlhe throat are favorite passages in which the germs take holdhence the necesisty for gargling. People are recommended to get into the fresh air and sunshine. Carbolised glycerine is said to be a good disinfectant with which to brußlhi t£e teeth and treat the nostrils. What adds to the seriousness of the situation is that it is practically impossible to get doctors on nurses. \?}uit there are of them, and there are not nearly enough, axe entirely overworked. If a person is taken ill there is no guarantee whatever of being able to secure ertfher a doctor or a nurse. The Minister of Health (the Hon. G. W. Russell) is experiencing a dreadfully trying and anxious time—how anxious the people little know. So many doctors have left New Zealand, and so many are engaged in the camps, that he is left almost helpless, so far as obtaining the services of medical men is concerned.. It is hoped that Sir James Allen will release from the camps all tlhe healthy men that he possibly can, so that there may be a chance of liberating some of the doctors. But the medical men are faced with a difficulty. They cannot release men immediately. They have to remain in camp for a few days under observance and test conditions, for fear that "carriers" of tlhe germs may be released; but it seems certain that large numbers of .the men in camp will very shortly be released in drafts.

VACCINATION SUGGESTED. A correspondent of the New Zealand Times, signing himself "A Sufferer," desired to know if any measures have been, or are being taken, in the Dominion by tilie Public Health authorities for the vaccination of citizens as a prevention to the contracting of influenza. He states that vaccination was found to have good effects in South Africa, and adds that if the Public Health Department has not the necessary stocks of vaccine for the purpose or are not aware of its ingredients, South Africa Should bo communicated with by cable and tho necessary information obtained- as early as possible.

SIMPLE RULES. H 'A medical man who is in charge of a large number of influenza patients lias drawn up seven simple working rules for the guidance of those in charge of persons suffering from the disease and others:

1. Keep in bed while feverish.' 2. Light diet such as milk, fruit, milk puddings, taken frequently. 3. Plenty of fresh air. Keep windows open as long aa patient is not in a dx&sght* 4. See that the bowels move daily. Use Epsom salts or uf^fa. 5. Sponge face anaaxms of patient if very fewerisn. 6. Kaßpjtlhuiinecessars; persons 'out of the siekrrooni. I. Persons attending patient' should' (gaigle Dptn 'wjak Omdyk fluid .fte-