THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1918, Page 4

THE EPIDEMIC.

STAIEMENII? BY MTNIBTER. WORK IN RURAL BJBXRICTS. TEMPORARY HOSPITALS AOTEO&. ISED. AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night, Special.—The Minister of PubQ Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) to-night issued the following statement: Up to the present the main work has been in the cities and towns. In order, by detail organisation, to grapple with the epidemic in the rural districts the following policy is laid .down: Provided a doctor and a certificated matron are obtainable, any borough council, town board or county council, where so public hospital exists, may establish a temporary epidemic hospital. The approval of the hospital board for the district (must be obtained, and forwarded by telegraph to the district, health officer, who will report to the chief health officer, and his decision will be final. Approval being given, the Government will be responsible for equipping and maintaining the institution whilst required. Voluntary assistance should be sought by the committee of management of each temporary hospital in transporting patients, nursing, cooking and rimfla-T work on the lines of the citizens' organ-! isations in the large towns. Accounts for supplies and services for epidemic hospitals must be certified ly the hospital board 3 of the district. The Government will not be responsible for sanitation work, or any other legal liability of any local governing authority, but will pay the expenditure j incurred directly arising from the epidemic, and, in particular, for approved emergency hospitals, doctors, nurses, drugs, food, etc. The erection of buildings will not be approved. Wherever practicable, State school buildings should be used, and the Government confidently looks for the cooperation of the inhabitants in rmrsing, cooking, food supplies, etc. POSITION AT DTOBDIN. PROTEST AGAINST BANKS CLOSING, By Telegraph.— Press Association Dunedin, Nov. 20. The executive of the l>unedin Chamber of Commerce has resolved to protest against the banks being closed for a week without notice, and suggests they be authorised to open for a limited time on Friday for the purpose of receiving deposits and cashing wages cheques. Influenza notifications for Otago and Southland to-day total 35, one more than yesterday. The number of cases at Dunedin Hospital is 208, an increase of four. The position is well in hand. LATEST FROM DUNEDIN. Dunedin, Last Night. It was a very busy day at the hospital, the admissions exceeding those of yesterday. Sister London, of the nursing staff, died to-day. This was the busiest day yet experienced at the central inquiry bureau. 'Doctors will adopt the modified block system from to-mor-row. WELL IN HAND AT NAPIER •Napier, Last Night.. The organisation by the Borough Council, Red Cross, Women's National Reserve, and Citizens' Committee habeen completed an<s thougl about a thousand cases have been reported, witx a fair number of deaths, the epidemic is stated to be well in hand, and it is hoped that the apex has 'been passed. NELSON'S REPORT. Nelson, Last Night. There are now 30 cases of influenza i» the hospital, tlio number having varied a little during the past three days 0; these throe are dangerously and fourteen seriously ill Up to date there have been twelve deaths in the district. Ther.: are many eases in the eity, but cen?--ally they are not of a very sever? l.yp'.\ BRIGHTER rEOSPF.CTS AT GREY' MOUTH GrevninuHi Last Xv;!it. The position, which looked nwx wri ous a fpw days ago, now scorns Wii/iue: The hospital* are st.'W lr:\e<? v. :;ip v.'.most, but the dansrrovish ill Jin sliiw; about six case', Five deaths have taken place since yesterday. A special .train re.n ia t'te durr, V.e to-day, accompanied l>\ vill:n<7 hi'hn-r----to brine any danjrcro'is * ;o t■ ■ .vn .Factories anti certain ■ ■- n!;-..'-' re-open to-morrow. CLOSING OF cr-pr-riii-: imicit OFFICII WplliTi.srt.on. !:> = ! 'V : i.'-' An Order-in-Comieil nvlmi 1 -" : ; Jnck'f? to order the ofli-e „f ihe c -:,!>';.,- ! f ourfc at any place to be closet iV-'rn I period, not exceeding a week at n 'ivm>. in the event of the present or any 'urn r •.■"■' epidemic rendering it advisnh'e. . The women who are asr.UfitK- V" Mayoress in her snlcndid work nr" " i lar bricks. A srirl wa''-" 1 ■ ■'■ 'Westown yesterday, worked f;>r a linn, ni the rooms, and then proepeii-d. ;.. ... ' where there were ten inmate* :m.' •' their washing; and performer! o*'-"." =r'vices. Last even in? she too l - Iv-r !.n-:> ■till a late hour at the bedsit ,-.f ~r,... serious eases. Capable milkers are iir<?entiv rnonir.' for the conntrv. Tn =omc inotn'iePTflctieallv th» whole of the n"!'-«r* «*• down with iirflvrnnzn. consemipnPr th"--left are nrmWe to cone with <Vp v«r" with the result thit a THimlmr nf I'herds are only partinllv rrttV'ed "«■' " • some instances, not milked nt n l ' T> • sons who can heln are remiested tn i«»v their name and address with Mi- '' Griffiths, peneral enprotarv. TTnnith <\vi. mittee. Phone 700. New Plymouth