THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1918, Page 5

THE EPIDEMIC.

BREAKING THE BACK IN NEW

PLYMOUTH. -POSITION GROWING SERIOUS IN COUNTRY. J i In New Plymouth yesterday the number of fresh influenza cases reported was 180, mostly contacts, and nearly all of a mild type. Six eases were sent to the hospital. The total cases reported since the outbreak are 1311, a good proportion of which are now convalescent.

The town was thoroughly inspected again yesterday, and the organisation extended its activities to tJhe country, where the conditions were found to be fairly serious.

The admissions to the New Plymouth hospital during yesterday wero 20, New Plymouth supplying 6, Inglewood 5, Purangi 3, Mangorei 2, Egmont Road, Pungarehu, Mangorei Road, and Spotswood one each.

This makes the number of influenza cases at tlhe hospital 108, and the total of cases treated 160—a record for the institution. Of the 108 influenza cases, 10 may be described as grave and several others as severe.

There were two deaths yesterday, ■that of a young New Plymouth business man and a lad of nine years from Inglewood. This makes the total deaths from the disease seven.

Two nurses, we regret to report, are very ill and causing tlhe staff much anxiety. It is a somewhat remarkable fact, and incidentally a testimony to the skill and efficiency of the hospital, that no cases of pneumonia have developed in the hospital after admission.

Discussing the epidemic with the (hospital superintendent early this morning, Dr. Walker said he believed we had passed the worst in New Plymouth, but not so in the country. Just as we had been affected by the disease some time after Auckland and Wellington were in tlhe throes, so the country districts were suffering now after New Plymouth. It was satisfactory to realise that the splendid organisation that was working in New Plymouth so successfully was extending its activities to the country, where, he ■ was afraid, there Woufd be need for them during the next few days. The interests of the country and town were bound up together, and this was being demonstrated in connection with fighting the epidemic.} It was absolutely necessary for the organisation to hold together and concentrate its attention upon the work in the town and country a little longer, and for that reason Dr. Walker said foe would advise the Mayor and local authorities to continue the closing of the town till the end of the week. This would enable the organisation to combat the epidemic, he hoped completely, and would be of immense advantage to the country districts, wlhich were sorely in need of all the help that could be given. Reviewing the whole position, Dr. Walker said that though they were having a trying time at the hospital—all the severe cases, of course, being sent there — they had much to be tljankful for, seeing what was taking place in other districts, and he felt sure that organising as they had done and working as they were, the scourge would soon do mastered.

MAORIS DOWN ON EGMONT ROAD. It was reported yesterday that the Maoris living on the Egmont Road were practically all down, and that relief was urgently needed. Inspector Day went out and found that 13 Natives living in one llrouse were practically all ill, and also four in an adjoining cottage. VAD.'s saw to the buildings and the feeding of the patients, who were removed to Tito's house. Last night committeemen W. Jenkinson and Morgan stayed in the place all night and attended to the patients.

Dr. Walker visited the Maoris lost night, and ordered a woman to the hospital. He found two or three others to he in a very serious condition.

The local police have, under instructions, warned all the Maoris not to leave their pahs during the epidemic, tfhat where deaths occur there must be no tangis, and that the bodies must be buried without delay. THE SUPREME COURT SESSIONS. The Supreme Court sessions are set down for December 3. A meeting of the New Plymontib branch of the Taranaki Law Society met yesterday and passed a resolution suggesting to the Chief Justice that, ih view of tho prevailing epidemic, the sessions should he adjourned.

GENERAL. The question of closing the town till Monday next will fee discussed at a meeting to-day. Word was received in New Plymouth yesterday that a Smart Road family were all down. V.A.D.'s were despatched at once, cleared up the place, and provided medicine, food, etc. A neighboring lady, already sorely put to it, milked the cows night and morning. Two of the boys are returned soldiers. Mrs. Burgess lost six! of Iher V.AJD.'s yesterday. They had taken the illness, i Included was lire. Wallace, of the "Waratah," who has been a tower of strength, and will be greatly missed. Some people are inconsiderate. They are not very bad, but demand from the committee that a doctor slhould be sent out forthwith. Examination by the temperature reader generally discloses the fact that there is little or nothing wrong with the patient. A doctor cannot afford to waste any of his time in a crisis like tlhe present. His services are wanted in connection with the serious cases, and there are enough of them to keep the doctors going continuously. New Plymouth has lost the services temporarily of two of its doctors, which fe a great loss just now, and tHie others aare overworked. But for the "sorting out" ■by the Health Committee it "Would be .an impossibility to deal with the epi-' demic with the present doctors. This is a .point the medical humbagft of the. place —and ttuere are not a-few—should 'bear dn mind.

The police constables at Waitamy.Gpumtke, Rafaotu, .and Inglewood have-ieen instructed by "tie chief-office ftt New Biylooath to warn all Maoris to keep to 43ieir pahs and not to visit towns or townahips-or l<Htor about jraHie j>lat»s;. also that no- "taaigis aro- to tre 'lieldy-aact tfcat in all cases of dentil the body issoon -as possihle.

•Inspector Day visited tlie Pungatehu i{actoty°7«sterd&y. H&.reported that 18 hands were down since 'Friday—nine ofc the permanent staff And nine who had 1 come on to help. The report adds:— '"Here ifcaboarding-house runrin connectiion with the factory. Off the dining |

four others with 110 attempt at isolation. I fumigated the factory, and or-i tiered that the boarding-house should bo isolated and the factory run with a new crew, who should be fed and housed in the public ,hall. The drains require Immediate attention. I conferred with the postmistress and the school-mistress (who is now the district nurse), and thsv have matters well in hand."

Cape Egmont lighthouse reports "All well."

Inspector Day visited Parihaka and found that tEe pah was free from sickness. Jle laid out a complete scheme for the isolation and supply of medicine should there be any outbreak. The Mockmen visiting the houses In New Plymouth yesterday Teport that there is now very little misuse of the cards, the prompt and efficient use of which will considerably assist the committee in its work.

The services of two or three men-are wanted at the inhalation chamber at Johnston's Store, Moturoa. If assistance cannot be the authorities will be obliged to close it down.

The V-A.'D.'n who went out to a Maori's house yesterday speak in high terms of the cleanliness of the house and the sanitary surroundings. The floors were spotless, the linen clean, the rooms well aired and tidy, and the 'backyard a model of cleanliness. The lady in question has done a lot of visiting this last few days, but nowhere has sSe come across a more wholesome home.

A Maori woman was brought in from Egmont Road last night. Her case is serious. There are one or two other serious cases at the temporary Native hospital established on this road. There are several cases at Okoke, but only one or two serious. Dr. Wade visited the district yesterday. At Urenui.the epidemic is 'beginning to gain a hold. Systematic organisation Is the only way to meet and defeat the scoure.

The crcclie, instituted at the Good Templar Hall yesterday, and being conducted by the P'wnket Nurse, is a great success. Further infants were brought in yesterday, making the total seven, and it is expected others will be sent in to-dav The nurse is being assisted by V.A.D.'s.

Motoring along a Tbad jfesterday, a Citizen's Health committeeman was hailed by an old lady. She said all were down with illness and she was doing the work herself, milking and all She could not, however, see liow she was going to get into town for medicine. Would the motorist help? Yes, of course; he dashed into town, got the medicine, and saw that the family were all right before he left. More lemons aro required by the Ladies' Committee. Yesterday there was a big call for the fruit. Outside supplies are unobtainable. Quantities were on order from Auckland, but the boat will not be down for Bome time. Meanwhile the town and district have to rely upon local supplies. Mr. D. McLaren, of Wellington, who has had experience in the working of inhalation chambers, visited the stations in New Plymouth yesterday. He expressed himself well pleased with the working of th» machines, which had been manufactured* in New Plymouth.

There are six inhalation chambers now in operation in New Plymouth. Yesterday new ones were esta/blished at fSe station and at Mr. F. Messenger's garage on the Avenue Road. All were well patronised, neafly 400 persons visiting the one at Fitzroy and 350 at the railway station.

ELTHAM. Says yesterday's Elthara Argus:—The hospital which has been installed in the old Star Cafe is now in working order, and serious cases are being brought in, five being expected to-day One serious case (Mr. Scott) from Ngaere, was admitted this forenoon. On inquiry to-day at the private hospital we regret to record that there was no improvement in Sir Cnarles Burdett's condition, Mr W. J. Tristram received a wire from a brother at Hamilton stating that two nephews (both young married men) had passed away from influenza at Hamilton. One of them, Mr. Henry Tristram, was for a time a resident of Kltham and a member of the band. TARIKI. j 'A meeting of Taxiki residents was held on Saturday evening, Sr. A. T. Laurance, chairman of the Patriotic Committee, presiding, to consider the best means of dealing with the influenza epidemic It was resolved that notices be placed at the factories requesting those in need of help, medically or otherwise, to notify their requirements at the factories, and help would be forthcoming. All the returned soldiers on the Croydon Road settlement have been or are now, patients, andthese are doing what they can to help each other. Many cases of hardship are reported in the district. Mr. Hamblyn, father of the family of boys who went to the front, and who lost four sons, was taken to the Stratford Hospital in a delirious condition. Considerable trouble has been experienced in getting medicine, but now a. supply of remedies is being sent'from Stratford.—Post. ' ; BATOA 1 .

Mr. F. Gillanders, who-is in-close touch with the position in Hawera, states that the situation is more'reassuring. Workers are being obtained, and the people are generally taking all reasonable precautions. AH £h» orgairiiatitna which have been formed to assist in combatting the epidemit *s*9 verting smoothly and (satisfactorily.—fSttaS.

[ KAPOKS " ' • Kaponga is suffering severely from t'lie ravages of the epidemic. The medical practitioner (Dr. Enist) is too ill to attend to his patients, and to make matterawoiwiher&'ifl .a*faminetln drugs* and>medicineß.—Argus. TMPEOVEIrfENT AT AOCIKLAND. By Telegraph.—Press- Association. Auckland, Last (Slight. *Kie knftrtpuza position ha» trnrch improved in-' the city and suburbs, hut no • reports have been received from country ■'districts The TSHerslief grandstand writ be opened to-morrow as a convalescent home. Tire position on the •waterfront «»dl shipping fsisfceaSifer improving, and th& men -who are returning to duty'are ■ those paimg ojf. The Mayor stated'that 85 applications far fi«n;<rt.*Tvn -were Teceivpd asfc-flte TowrtHall yesterday, tiefc lowest since €he feeimring tof the month. The highest "WW, <SOO. and on apnlioatkwis.

THs' festimaied thai afout CW b'urialS have taken placei since the mithrfeaTc 1 , from which must' he deditctod thtf ordinary death-rate of 1.20 per month. A- citizens' fund has been>apened«=for

MORE' CHEERI2PG REPORT FROM* ; ; WELLINGTON. • . —— Wellington, Last Ni^h'fo'v Major MeKcnzie, chief Records at Trentham, died of influenza to-day. Sfore cheering reports concerning infltw enza were given out to-day- The hospitals' health authorities and the Mayo)?' we all optimistic. The news from the military camps iSi also good. In Feathers ton Camp hospfr tal there are only one-third of the nnm* ber of men now that were there about a week ago, and nearly half the patient^; Ett Trentham are convalescent. HOSPITAL BOARD CONTROLS FUNERALS. . By Telegraph.—Press AssocUtimi Christchnrch, Last NJgihfc Arrangements are being made to <& ordinate the work of the Instead of undertaken? taking -ordere, scheme will toe pat into -operation, as & the case of the attendance of the nWlfrftT men. It is intended tih&t the bodies be taken to the cemeteries in groups soda not singly. The Hospital Board priD? •have control of the burials. The Christchurch Ministers' Assodfrj tion ha 3 arranged to have one of fts.j members in continuous attendance #£! Linwood and Sydenham cemeteries,ijfej tihe officiating at funerajLj'' DEATHSAO; DAOTOTORKE:; %, MR. HARTGILD -SUCCUMBS;.'.; Dannevirke, Last I Six additional deaths occurred at nevirke last night and on Tuesday fromjil .pneumonic-influenza, including Me. W«' H. Hartgill manager of the branch of Borraud and Abraham, and4ll well-known racing judge. Deceased WW] taken ill on his return from the RiocaxMj ton Cup meeting, and died on 'TaEBflgW afternoon. jnax' "NOT PNEUMONIC HiAGUE."'; ■ STATEMENT BY EXPERTS. 4 The following authoritative etatenMS j from bacteriological and medical experts has been published in Dunedin: > Statements have been published in 42ie' public press that cases of pneumonia plague have recently occurred in DMh edin. We have no reason whatever to suppose tlhat there have been any casts of pneumonic plague in New Zealand in! connection with the present outbreak Of influenza. The bacteriology of Mi# • world-wide epidemic is quite distinct: from that of pneumonic plague, dud though the condition is one that requires careful precautionary measures, onlj] harm can be done by panicky etatoi ments, whicta have no scientific founda-i tion. i ■ ! The statement is signed by W. P. Gkrtr- 1 land, president of the Otago Division British Medical Association; D. ColiJlH houn, Professor of Medicine, Otago Uni-t versity; S. T. Champtaloup, Professor of Bacteriology and Public Health, Otago University; J. T. Bowie, acting MedlasJ Superintendent, Dunedin Hospital;, ws; E. Faris, District Health Officer.