THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1918, Page 5

THE EPIDEMIC.

TOWN TO REMAIN CLOSED,

APPALLING CONDITIONS IN OUTSIDE DISTRICTS.

SOME STRONG CRITICISM.

A special meeting of the Citizens' Health Committee was held last night for the purpose of considering tha advinableness of re-opening the places of business in New Plymouth on Tuesday. The meeting was presided over by the Mayor (Mr. 0. E. Burgess), wiho said that no doubt all present wero aware that mi announcement had appeared in the press to the effect that business would be resumed on Tuesday, Since then he (the Mayor) had Ihad a long interview with Drs. Walker and Wade,

and after hearing their views he felt sure that, owing to the unsatisfactory conditions existing in t'iie country, it would be a mistake to open. However, he would ask Drs. Walker and Wade to express their views. Dr. Walker said he felt that to completely succeed in their effortß to combat the disease they must continue their combined efforts, Tlie battle waa not won yet, and the figiht must be continued. His opinion was that if their efforts were relaxed in the country districts tliey Would be faced with a ghastly mortality list: He had had an interview with Major Keenan, who is in eibarge of the Opunake district, and it had been arranged that he would only send in tihe serious cases to the New Plymouth Ihospital. The position in Waitaxa, continued the doctor, was very bad. He had that afternoon seen Sir. Were, who told him that scarcely a hsuse was free, and that tihe difficulty of obtaining help for the hospital there was due to the fact that not only did those who were well have to look after the sick in their own /houses, but al&o after the house next door.. The position was accentuated by the fact that there was no doctor there now, Dr. Campbell being very ill.

They were applying urgently for two trained nurses, for while help' was obtainable, it was not skilled, and there was no one to give instruction.

The| Maori paJis round Waitß-a were •full of disease, proceeded Dr. Walker. Many Maoris ft ad died and many were dying, and the captains of the various blocks had had to dig the graves. Prom Okato they had received word not to send any more coffined Maoris out, as it was impossible to get item buried. From Rahotu four cases had been brought into tine hospital, two of them being serious. Major Keenan, owing to the pressure of other work, had been unable to visit the Maori hospital at Funiho. For these reasons,it would be

impolitic to disband the organisation which Siad fought the foe here go well A sufficient reserve should be maintained here, and the ful3 weight of the organisation let loose co as to know the position in the country as they knew it in the town. Tihey might possibly recall tho marvellous work that had been done in Inglewood. Eight days ago the position there was practically a panic, but by tho co-operation of the townspeople and of the New Plymouth organisation t'he position had been steadily met and was now well in hand. If Inglewood could in that short space have killed the epidemic—or, as they said, got it scotched—he to satisfied they could very soon have the same results in Waitara. He could appeal to tibem with absolute confidence in their self-sacrifice, and urge them wisely to continue the fight with their full power for two or three days, and also give him a full staff at the hospital for two or three weeks and maintain a sufficient reserve. Thus they would do tho district and the province valuable service. He knew there were serious financial losses to many, but there was a lot more gained than could be counted is. mere £b. dV If they opened their shops now, for the: next week or ten days they would do | very poor trade; it could not bo ctlherwise; but he « satisfied that if\this waa stamped out they would 3iaie a Christmas trade that would well repay them. (Applause.) Ho thanked them all for the great work tllicy had done. Dr. Wads agreed with all that Dr. Walker had caid. Although LJie town was clean, if the outposts were not there was always a danger of retrogression. He had been down the coast tJhat afternoon, and there were in the Okato hospital 13 cases, of which four were new. Pungarehti started on Saturday with eight cases. He ordered four more into the ihospital there thai day, and two more would go in the nest day, whilst he was transferring two to New Plymouth, and lis agreed that the disease showed signs of becoming milch worse there. At Puniiho there were four virulent cases. He certainly did not think they should open up in town until the outposts were clean. Dr. Walker said he must also appeal for a register of V.AJX's With a staff that was really just holding on, not a

healthy staff working eight hours per day but on an erratic system, many must be spelled. This applied more to the lay staff -than to the professional staff.' Some of the townspeople had very kindly taken come of the nurses into their homes as guests for a spell. He would require tliie list to be made in three sections. First, those who would volunteer to carry out any duty in the wards or relating io ward maintenance; second, those who cc.'.ld undertake nursing duties under directions, for the safeguarding of whom precautions would be taken; third, those who don't wisllv to •undertake nursing duties, but will help outside the wards. If there was such a list it might not be necessary to call on them all. Lastly, he must appeal to them for ihclp in the laundry. Unfortunly, they had not got tho modern plant such' an institution deserved, and the services of two able-bodied women were urgently required. The washing patients and a staff of 50 was a serious thing, awl he thought that those who did menial work from a noble motive were doing just as good work as ho was doing in his own capacity. No machinery any good if it had a weak spot. This was a weak spot. He had asked 700, as ho called tho committee, for many tlhings, and they had never failed him; and when he asked them to find two washer-women he felt that he would not be disappointed. The Mayor stated that the views of tllio committee who had been fighting the disease should go out, as they would have great weight. They knew what they had to fight, and were not out of the wood yet. They might have many more cases, and perhaps more severe, though ha hoped this might not happen. Dr. Walker asked them to close for two or ( three days now—what lie might ask later remained to be seen—in order to work and organise in the outside districts where the population was scatjtered and tiwjr had not got tho

ance. In the towns they could close down and still got their three meals a day, but in the country tihe cows iiad to be milked twice a day. He felt when he to close lor the last three days that they were near the end, but after a conference with the medical authorities, lasting over 1% hours, he did not see how he could do otherwise thM ask them to close. "I s it your wish," he asked, "that we should close Mi. McLeod staled that lie' was on© of those who favored the opening on Tuesday, but after visiting; the coast that day and seeing the appalling state of aflairs in tUo country districts, he thought they must, for ;heir own protection, keep closed and go out into the country ana assist. At Pungarcliu the position was appalling. There was 1:0 local organisation. They had sent two nurses from JCew Plymouth, ana not a person, save perhaps three, had been to offer assistance, lie thought it was nothing but sheer cowardice that kept them away from their institution. Xo one had assisted to make up the beds that were sent out, apd no one iuu! even chopped any firewood. One medical assistant who had been despatched had not been asked to have ""a feed/' and had to live practically on bread and ehefse, and slept at the bade of the hall in a miserable lean-to. A Hottentot could not have been treated worse, and he would not allow such conditions to pass without a protest. It was quite a contradistinction to what happened at Okato and Warea, and indeed, it was hard to realise that a few miles could make such a difference. He spoke strongly against one prominent farmer, whom ho named publicly, and, speaking with a full sense of the responsibility of what he was saying, he hoped that that farmer would meet him and ask him to withdraw his remarks. The farmers, he said, were not giving assistance. The people in the village were poor people, and the majority of them had patients in the house. Indeed, in one case, all were down, and the people of the district had not taken the trouble to go near them. For their own protection, they must start organising in that district He had arranged to send two good women out, and had arranged for Mrs. Hughson, who was herself in illhealth, to accommodate them. He paid I a tribute to the action of Mr. Simons, who had asked what he would do,, but at present, besides milking his own herds, he was milking for others. '"When this black death comes, it's got to be kicked out, 110 matter what we lose- We've got to kick it out. For God's sake," he said, "let us help the country to stamp it out for our owu protection.'' Mr. 0. P. Russell referred to the great work being dona by the Mayoress and Mrs. (Dr.) Walker. Mr. George Grey suggested that if good work was to foe done they should close all the vfeek instead of drawing the line at the minimum asked by the doctors. On Monday, Dr. Walker could tell them how things were. The Mayor said that there had been one or two complaints abqut his closing the town. If he had gone round to the drapers, fruiterers, etc,, the town would not be closed yet. He was prepared to stand to anything he had done,' but if they wanted to close .for the rest

of tlie week he preferred that they should now agree to two days, and then call a meeting to decide the rest. If the business men did not turn ap, they could close without themMr. Grey asked Dr. Walker if it would not be advisable to close for the rest of tlie week.

Dr. Walker said that he was obliged for the suggestion. Though jjfew Plymouth had not had a severe visitation, he was very thankful that he had acted on the Minister for Public Healths telegram, whiph he thought had been couched in strong terms. He, however, thanked God that he had received fflie telegram. If it had beeen three or four'days earlier,

it would perhaps have saved lives. As

it was, the prompt response undoubtedly saved lives, and he did not think ffiey had lost one life that could have been saved. There would have been a very big loss but for the organisation. Indeed, lie was certain thai the doctors

would have 'been down and out by the first Saturday night. Two days' more solid work would enable them to see the situation in hand. Three days' work should save the position in the country. He ,was certain, too, that the magnetic

force of the committee would have the result of getting the people to take up the burden themselves. Mr. Watkins paid a tribute to the work done by Nurse Campbell, a volunteer nurse at Pungarehu, and the ladies who assisted her.

The Mayor said that the point was whether they were to close for two days or till the end of the week*. The latter was a drastic step, and he would like to hear the opinion of the business men. Mr. P. J. H. White said that they should shut as long aa the doctors decided was necessary. It might be a financial hardship to some who had not been very long -establish. In any case, he though't they should close until Thursday nightMr. A. H. Johnstone said that it was not a question of money; it was a ques-' tion of human life. If looked at froni that point of view, a week would n|c make much difference. If they did considerable loss, the knowledge that even one human life had been saved would more than compensate. Ho was an employer, but the thing to consider was not casii but life. If they were going down the coast they would want to know lio\y long they could stay, and so must know soon how long the town would close. He moved that thoy reopen on Monday next. Mr. 1\ J. H. White seconded.

Mr. Johns moved an amendment that they remaih closed until Thursday nighty Dr. Walker, who always took a safe view, thought that three days would see the situation well in hand. If not they could consider closing longer, but there was no need to close Friday and Saturday if it could be avoided. Mr. James McLeod seconded. He considered that if three days was sufficient there was no need to be panicky. IT thought the emissaries that would be sent to the country would have the effect of preventing the people from coming into town, and, if the town was clean, why prevent people doing business? The position was becoming economically seriou'i; owing to the fact that people had certain orders to deliver by Christmas. Personally, he did not wjsh to be selfish, and would close for a month if necessary. Mr. Nash suggested leaving the question of ro-opening to the Mayor, the doctor, andthe executive to decide. He said that he felt that their efforts that day had slackened owing to the prospects of opening the next dav. They still had 1200 cases in New Plymouth, and possibly in three days this would be reduced to 400.

Dr. Walker said that in two days' time would fiuow hew stood

and what they were up against. A large part of the province was clear and by Thursday the full strength of their effort in the country would be felt, and they would know how they stood there. It was finally decided to adopt Mr. Nash's suggestion, and a resolution was carried that the Mayor, the doctors and the executive decide when the town is to re-open, twenty-four hours' notice to be given by advertisement in the local papers.

The committee then proceeded to discuss the organisation of the "country, and the arrangements come to will be placed before the members at a meeting to-day.

IN NEW PLYMOUTH

POSITION STILL SERIOUS.

There were BO new cases reported in New Plymouth yesterday, as against 48 the day before. The recoveries, however, were satisfactory, amounting to no IeBS than 348, leaving 1178 cases of illness in the town to-day. The following is the table:

•On the 15tl), 300 cases were reported; on the 16th, 412; on the 17th, 397; on the IBth, 207, on the J 9th, 208.

.and women's, was much easier. The block-men. did their rounds as usual, and the motors were kept busy. Yesterday 457 bottles of medicine were sent out, as compared With 248 on Sunday. Included in those yesterday were a considerable number for country districts.

Up to half-past nine last night No. 1 ambulance had made three trips, and No. 2 ambulance, one trip. Reports of ttie medical assistants show that Warea smms pretty right at present.

Tariki has also improved. ' Sergeanl Southam, who has been acting as a medi cal assistant there, is down with influenza. '

Many reports from the country are bad, and to-day it has been decided to send two medical assistants to each district instead of one.

AT 'iHE HOSPITAL. .

CONSIDERABLE DECREASE IN

ADMISSIONS,

There were tight patients admitted to the hospital yesterday—four from New Plymouth, thrje from Inglewood and one from Pungarehu. There: are now 190 in residence.

At the native hospital four were admitted, three died, and the total in residency is 19.

There are 14 men in the convalescent home at Kawiroa Park, and 15 women at East End. ' " "

COUNTRY ORGANISATION.

At a meeting of the New Plymouth executive last evening Messrs. J. McLeod and W. Nash were put in absolute charge of the country organisation, the object of which is to start the various districts and to organise them on self-reliant lines, fitting up the various hospitals from Pungarehu to Awakino.

There is no firewood at Pungarehu, and, we are asked to state that tlie committee would be greatly helped if someone would cut up wood to-day for tie hospital.

THE LAUNDRY WORK.

The Hospital Board made a great mistake' when it decided, in the interests of economy, not to take advantage of an offer, the acceptance of which was very strongly urged by the Medical Superintendent, to purhase a steam laundry outfit. The present plant is hardly adequate in ordinary times; it is therefore not surprising t'bat at present it has hopelessly broken down. The Chinese were approached for help. They were quite agreeable to render it, but absolutely objected to washing sheets. .The pitizens' Health Committee thereupon appealed to t'he New Plymouth Steam Laundry Co., which was qiutfe agreeable to do anything, but was up against the labor problem.

The difficulty now is labor, and the committee is appealing on patriotic grounds for the services of two strong girls or women who can help at the laundry. It should be mentioned that tlhere is absolutely no risk of infection from the work, The hospital is dependent upon supplies of clean 3heets,j etc.. and the ladies will be doing just as patriotic a service by helping in this respect as by rendering help at the hospital. We are sure the appeal will be 'heeded. ■

GENERA!

This morning the New Plymouth committee is despatching six more beds and more modern equipment for the PungArehu Hospital, and also sending out Mik, Joseph (New Plymouth) and Mrs. Wells (Puniho), V.AD.'s, s to strengthen the hursing staff.

There are no cases at Warea yet, but two or three mild cases will be transrerred thither .from the Pungarehu dis« trict.

Last week a .man was taken from bis home in New Plymouth to the hospital. On Sunday his wife was also taken. They left five children, whom the ladies' committee took away. One lady incmber at once volunteered to take them all to her home and care for them, which she i's doing. Unselfishness 1 Yes, of the finest kind.

The New Plymouth women's committee are continuing their help in necessitous cases,* but would like people from now on to be as self-reliant as possible, as the staff of the committee lias been greatly reduced owing to overwork, strain, and illness. Neighbors are therefore asked to see to those who are in want of help and f6odstuiTs, and so relieve tflie central committee.

The loan of eight hot water bottles is wasted at the women's convalescent pavilion at East End.

The hospital has arranged the telephones as follows: For men and the matron, No. 500; for women and children, No. 561.

LOSING ITS GRIP AT WELLINGTON.

Wellington, Last Night, The tenor of the bulletins from the hospitals and districts to-day was that the epidemio was losing its grip. Several of the temporary hospitals havo a number, of empty 'beds now. • So many of the tramwaymeo have returned to duty that an all-day service is provided, though not as frequent as at normal times.

BEBIQUS OASES IN CB£P |y SEDUCED.

OUTBREAK OF MENINGITIS.

Wellington, Nov. SEu

The serious cases at the camps BT$ ' now reduced to seventy, 1 and, are dw , creasing fast each day, Twentyowi cases of C.S.M. have occurred. Two meif at Trentham died within 24 hours.

Among the deaths reported, besides Father Cronin, of Carterton, is Fathwtf Lewin, ,who was sent to Featherston t# relieve Father Phelan. He this morning.

A BLACK FORTNIGHT. .

Taumarunui, Last Night Taumarunui has passed through v Macjc fortnight. All business is ganised, practically the whole town he-' kg closed up for several days. Good > organisation by the central committee, led by the Mayor, saved the situation. A great improvement is manifest to-day,! tnere being only 28 caßes (none serious), \ against 57 la it week, in the temporary . hospital, and 35 in the general hospital, the total cases being 63. against 104 A « week ago. There must have a thousand 1 cases in the borough and three thousand ' ijl th(k district. The deaths in thei boroogh. total 45 Europeans and 41 Maoris, a I number of leading citizens being taken. A band' of workers faced all odds to s&ve life. In one instance a man was carried on a stretcher from a bush section to the river, and brbught up oa a boat. IfL the outlying districts there is much.diffli culty in getting medicine and help. 1

SPREADING AT BLENHEIM.-

Blenheim, Last Night. The epidemic is spreading generally but there is no marked severity. Three deaths occurred on Saturday, bringing - the total fatalities to date to Beven. Nine of the nurses at the hospital are dowfc.There are forty cases in the Institution, and 10 in the Town Hall auxiliary hOfl* ) pital.

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK.

Dargaville, Last Night.' The epidemic report in the borough ii' much brighter. Since Friday two Europeans, including Nurse Goodison, and three natives lave died.

Paparoa reports two deaths to-day, one European and one native, lie ' ''■ port also states that the native settle* ment at Kopu Point is in a bad way, there being some serious cases there, Reports fron the Hokianga district state that there are 150 cases and three deaths of natives. There is only one doctor and one nurse there. The infer* mation states that at two-, pahs the stricken are lying ill everywhere. A special messenger brought news thi» morning that the local authorities and police are taking prompt action, arid at* communicating with the adjoining con#t» ties and sending assistance.

IMPROVEMENT AT GISBORNE. 1

Gisborne, Last Night. There is a considerable improvement the influenza epidemic in town, although some of the country districts are stiß producing numbers of cases. A special train that was sent to Otoko brought to the hospital fifteen nati? • '-.elonging to a shearing gang. One. of 'he victims has since died. It is believed that the disease was contracted at Waimana, Bay , of Plenty, and affected men, women and ' children.

Among the local deaths are those of Mr George Fyfe Dick (commission agent)' and his wife. Four young children, the eldest Ibeing Ave years and the ycumeeßt «. week old, are left.

AUCKLAND BECOMING NORMAL. Auckland, Last Night. According to Dr. Frengley, are fast beesming normal in the city! and thp suburbs, while reports from thacountry show a steady improvement. Six x i deaths occurred at the institutions yisterday, making 13 for the as against forty hist week. All the new cases are being sent direct to the district hospital, the present intention being to close the three tenw porary hospitals as the cases Are re* moved.

Absentees at the chief post offices to-* day numbered 69. 1 !

The Arahura, which has been delayed tor seventeen days owing to shortage. o£ ! sailed for Gisborne this evening. ''

POSITION AT DUNiEDIN. Dunedin, Last Night. ° !■ ' f Dr. Bowie states that the situation 84 i regards influenza has improved ag far as the hospital is concerned, but it is too ; • early as yet to state definitely that the; climax has been reached. ; The number of admissions is much fewer than yes* terday, but the number of deaths are' likely to be slightly above tho'averagei

CHEEKING REPORTS. , " Wanganui, Last Night. Reports as to the influenza continue to i be cheering. The admissions to the hospitals have been reduced to fourteen to-' day, and there 1s a general feeling that the 'disease ia well in hand. A convalescent home has been opened at the racecourse buildings.

November, SO 21 22 23 . 24 26 total "Total cases ,. 199 161 85' 81 48 80 1978 New homes ., 53 56 25 32 18 15 259 Serious cases 10 7 7 8 6 5 125 Recoveries 62 63 69 110 101 348 300