THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1918, Page 5

THE EPIDEMIC.

NEW PLYMOUTH.

business slack.

Mr. G. H. White, who is in charge of the Statistical Department, reported yesterday afternoon that it was a pleasure to report that business was slack. That day's statistics were particularly cheering. The regular canvass of the past few (lays, followed by the census on Monday, had given so complete a knowledge of the cases in the town that tho present daily returns afforded a more than ever accurate record of the position of the epidemic. The total cases recorded numbered 25, while the recoveries were 55, and new houses 10. This gives a total of 2146 cases and 1018 recoveries.

On Wednesday the motor-cars used in connection with the Health Committee's organisation covered 1156 miles and Monday 1277 miles- JThis does not include the mileage covered by the cars used in connection with the ladies' organisation. Yesterday 238 bottles of medicine were sent out.

Messrs R. S. Connelly and A. F. Warner have prepared excellent graphs showing the daily position of the influenza epidemic, with its fluctuations from day to day, of new cases and recoveries. Another graph shows the relative proportion of cases and recoveries eaeli day.

THE HOSPITAL REPORT.

13-ADMISSIONS; 5 DEATHS.

At the New Plymouth Hospital there were thirteen admissions and five deaths, the number remaining being 139. Four of the new cases came from New Plymouth, 2 from Kaimata, 1 from Waitara, 1 from Ratapiko, 2 from Okato, 2 from Upper Mangorei and 1 from Tarurntangi. The deaths were: Miss O'Sullivan (32), Mrs. Ainslie (06); T. H. Harrison (46), Egmont Village; Jas. Mather (36), Tariki, and Wm. Coffey (37), New Plymouth.

At Kawaroa live patients left and nine' teen remained.

At the East End there are 18 patients. At the Maori Hostel there were 1 admission and 6 deaths, 10 patients being left.

AT THE CONVALESCENT HOMES.

At East End Women's Convalescent Home there are now 18 patients, all doing well. There was one admission yesterday and four discharges. Mrs. Watts, who was assisting, has taken the disease, and her place has been taken by Miss Bremer.

At Kawaroa Park there are now SSt men convalescing. Yesterday there were five admissions and seven discharges.

v SPHE MAORIS.

There are still 17 Natives at the Native hospital at the hosteliy, Yesterday there were five admissions and five deaths.

At thef Convalescent Home at Bell Block there are eight convalescent Natives.

The epidemic is playing havoc with the Maoris in some parts. On Sunday night, at Pihama, there were thirteen deaths among the natives. The Maoris invariably are subject to chest complaint, and when they get the pneumonic form of the disease it goes hard with them.

OOONTBY! REPORTS.

A report has been received stating that there is not a case at Pnkearuhe. Ingle-wood reports that Kaimata, Tarata, and Purangi are being well looked after and are going on all right. Dr. JBlackley states that while there are a number of new cases they are generally of a milder type. The serious cases are those that were contracted a week or ten days ago. Yesterday he visited the Bell Block, Sentry Hill, Lepperton, and the country behind Lepperton and the Tikorangi districts. Dr. Blackley will visit the coast to« day-i

EGMONT VMiAGE 'AND DISTRICT,

The organisation! inspector reported that nothing was done ,in the way of organising. Three residents (Mr., and Mrs. Baiter and Mr. Burrows) had shouldered the responsibility of looking after ever/one, and it was most important that a medical assistant should visit the district daily and visit the houses where sickness exists. He had organised a committee, consisting of Messrs A. Morton (chairman), Baxter, F. Price, G. W. Gibson (Kaimiro), Bowen, Burrows, Chard, and E. Marsh, who had undertaken to see to daily statistics, and MrMorton would report to the depot. Plenty of cars were available- ,The district extended to the Upland Road and the Junction Road towards Inglewood as far as local suppliers go, and as far as and including the Albert Road towards New Plymouth, down as far as and including Slaridge's, on the Egmont Road, and to the With of Egmont from Tarumtangi-Upland Road. Kent Road —Mr. iP-owlands had undertaken to organise tliisf and also Korito, which would report direct to New 'Plymouth'. Mr. Rowlands stated that there were two cases at Maitgorei factory requiring meSical assistance. Mr. "Hannah is to organise Lowcf MangoTei Road. There are a fcW cap 49, ut there are no meanS of taking t£™P era " turps'. A lady residing in th/ Mangorei Road had had cOi! s 'fl e w J ' e nursing experience.

IMPROVEMENT AT THE CAMPS.

Wellington, Last Night.

The serious cases at the camps have dwindled to S3, and there are very few news cases. The parade total number ill hospital at Trentham is now down to 240.

A WELUNGTOtf REPORT.

l Wellington, Nov. 27. The deaths of I<3 soldiers are reportedBarbers' shops are to be re-ooened subject to fumigation and disinfection. Picture, shows will be all opened on the same Saturday, but tho Minister wishes to wait until further alead^iwitti

AN EFFICIENT ORGANISATION.

GRAPPLING WITH THE COUNTRY,

"This is the most efficient organisation New Plymouth has eve.' seen," said a prominent business man yesterday, referring to the Citizens' Health Committee. "It would be a pity," he continued, "if we allowed it to disappear altogether, for with such a combination the accomplishment of anything 13 possible. It is characterised by a splendid spirit of brotherhood and unselfishness, and is thoroughly cosmopolitan. We liave all sorts on the committee, from the laboring man to the merchant and big business man, and they are all vying with each other to render the greatest service in this time of crisis."

It is a true statement. We have never had such an organisation working so harmoniously, enthusiastically and successfully. Got together overnight, an it were, it has accomplished wonders, ody possible by unselfish co-operation and wise leadership, and this the organisation has had in abundance.

Not satisfied with fighting the epidemic in town—and defeating it, too—it has transferred its energies to the .country, where splendid work has been done during the past few days, and satisfactory results attained. Its medical assistants have been placed in the various centres of a large district from Pungarehu to Awakino and southward as far as Tariki. Cars have been loaned spontaneously, and the owners have volunteered for service. Where the owners themselves have not been able to drive they have supplied drivers at their own expense. Many are supplying their own benzine as well. Some cars are doing over a hundred miles a day, and as few ears can be rnn under 9d a mile, and the cars have been running for a fortnight, the extent of their help and kindness can be appreciated, They are not looking for recognition; that they would resent. They simply have filled the breach at a critical time, and are anxious to "do their bit" aa the boys at the front have been doing theirs.

The committee's duties now cover a wide range. It has its town organisation going like a well-oiled piece of machinery, and is now paying particular attention to the country. ■ A department has been specially set up, under tlie care of a well-known professional man, to attend to the milking on places where farmers and their employees have beeii knocked up. So far every appeal for Jielp has been met. The work is done by town men who understand milking, and frequently by those who have had no experience. They have been invaluable, and saved herd after herd, besides coming to the assistance of various dairy factories. I

Nearly all the farmers are grateful. They recognise the unselfish and humanitarian spirit of the helpers, and know that money could not secure what is willingly given. The exceptions are few. One town help came limping back into town the other night. He had gone out some days before with another townsman to milk a farmer's herd of 60 odd. He found the milking machinery in anything but efficient order, and he set to* work at once and rectified the trouble. This made their task easier. They got their job under, and at 10 a.m. they were sent out gome light refreshment. In the afternoon they went back and got through in time to enable them to return borne at 11 pjn. "I would not mind that," said the helper, ,r but the farmer's people, some of whom have recovered and are quite able to run the house at eiy rate, seem to think we have sent out by the Government to help th°m, and accordingly they treat ua as menials. They are also' sending into town for domestic help «h>n the; hare any amount of it available themselves. I am quite prepared to toil on, but, caadidly, I don't like their attitude." It has to be said that this is the exception, for the settlers, as a class, are very grateful for the self-s&crificing efforts of the men from town, 1

THE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS.

FULL OF GRIP.

The M.A.'a (medical assistants) are full of grit. They care not what they do or where they go, so long as they can render service. Some "hard doers" have revealed their true natures in this crisis, and it is certain that they will stand higher in the regard of their fellows after this than ever. Several have contracted the disease; spme are seriously ill at this moment, but the others are carrying on regardless of the danger of infection, and fighting the disease in its very home.

One "M.A." in the Uruti district had been working for seven days and nights with only an hour or two's sleep. He would not have had that last night but for the pressure exercised by some members of the New Plymouth committee,

Two out of three returned aoldlara who have been doing great work in the Tariki district are down, one very seriously ill. Nothing was too much for them to do. They trudged where they could not motor, and acted as housewife, nuree ?,nd doctor to ms-ny a stricken home. Others—profegilonal men, used to the comforts of life—are out in the country districts doing work that would try the nerves and strength of the hardest menial workers, and putting tip with conditions th&t would otherwise sicken tlvem to death. ■;

VALUE-OF THE TISLISFHO.NK.

The Value of the telephone in-country districts was never more evidenced than at present. It Is possible to get in touch "with the people right back living on roads that at this time of the year jire absolutely impassible for-motor traffic. This helps the organisation-treinendolus-ly- Right through to Urutl and up all the by-roads prompt aud accurate reports are available. .

A telephone up tile Mokau River would be a great convenience. Over fifty people live up there, and the only communication is by boat. There are one or two serious cases known up there, and they will be seen to this morning. It is not perhaps generally known that the New Plymouth committee has five 'phones, which keep the exchange £irls busy day and night.

THE OPUNAKE DISTRICT.

Says The Star correspondent: The organisation for lighting the epidemic in Egmont County is now in thorough working order, and the various temporary hospitals are connected by telephone. Tuesday was a quieter day, and fewer cases were reported. At Pihama racecourse, where the Maori hospital as located, there are at present 9 patients j at Te Kiri, 3; at Oaonui, 18; at Opunake, S; at Rahotu, 23. All our patients are progressing favorably. One serious case, a Maori woman, was sent through to New Plymouth Hospital yesterday from Pihama. The work is being carried on by volunteer labor in the meantime. Major Keenan received a telegram on Saturday instructing him to hand over to Dr. Boyd, who is arj/iving to commence practice at Ivaponga, and to return to Wellington. As Ivaponga is also in the throes, it was obvious that no medical assistance could be expected from there, and strongly-worded telegrams were sent from the local bodies to the Health Department on the matter, with the result that Major Keenan i 3 to remain in charge here. The business people have decided to keep their premises closed for the rest of the week, excepting, of course, that the grocers and bakers are open for a couple of hours each morning.

MANAIA.

Hospital Report—All patients improving, with one exception. Since Monday one patient has been admitted, one discharged and one died—W. Leithwaite, a returned Australian soldier. The Rev Mr Tye conducted the funeral service, the remains being covered with the Union Jack. 'A number of fresh cases are reported from country districts, but they seem to be less serious, and many of the early cases t|re now convalescent.

Maoris.—After considerable difficulty and delay the Technical School hospital for Maori patients has been temporarily staffed under .>the supervision of Nurse Merrie and two Maori assistants. Seven patients were admitted on Tuesday, one case serious. Messrs. Hansen, Seannell and Long continue attending the Maoris, and sending cases requiring careful nursing to the hospital. Two deaths are reported—Wi Opie (married)' and a daughter of Billy King, aged 12. This seems to indicate a decrease in the virulence of tbp disease.

Inhalation Chamber.—A temporary inhalation chamber was established in the county offices, under the supervision of Mr W. A, Limbrick, and later on a motor outfit was set up in the rear of Blake and Son's garage, and both were liberally patronised by young and old.

MANGATOKI.

The epidemic has hit Mangatoki, though not in such a severe form as i> other country , districts. There have been ■—and are—a considerable number of cases, some families being all down, bttt settlers have helped each other in vari«us ways, milking, farm work, house work, cooking, etc. The Various blocks have been patrolled ftp the executive eommittee—Messrs. Mart, Pease, McGuinness and Gifford—&n4 these gentlemen have acted in conjunction with the Eltham Health Committee. This organisation is doing grand work in fighting the epidemic, and tho country people are grateful .to them for it. Temperature readers have been sent out, doctor's visits arranged, and help and advice given Where needed. The Mangatoki Dairy Company has installed an inhalation chamber in the manager's room at the factory. The plant has been set up by the manager (Mr. Ceqpw).—Star

PATEA.

Reassuring reports continue to come to hand from the various committee men who have been visiting the districts under their charge. Few more cases were notified (w Monday, and six on Tuesday, none of them serious. In fact, but for the native cases the town would have had practically a clean bill of health. The epidemic goes to show that legislation should be Introduced compelling natives who come into town to adopt European methods of living. The question is, however, one that bristles with difficulties, as all must admit.

The Mayor has arranged for the open' ing of the Technical School, with a staff of ladies willing tg assist in cooking for the invalids should a rush of patients occur. At the present time quite a number of residents are assisting, the hospital authorities by cooking soups, etc., at home and forwarding then} to the hsopital to relieve the strain th'ero. The whole gf the patients are ■ progressing fairly well, including Dr. Collins, who fihould be convalescent soon.—Press.

DECREASING EST THE CAMPS.

The epidemic continues tfl lessen its hold on the men in the eamps daily, and ofl Tuesday there were only 590 patbnts in hospital suffering from influenza. No cases at all were admitted during the day at any of the three camps m the Wellington district. Of the number in hospital, 73 are serious cases. Details of the health reports an fts follow: ,

AwapunJ. Paraded sick .1 Admitted to hospital 0 Remaining in hospital 17 Trentham. Paraded sick 0 Admitted to hospital < 0 Remaining in hospital ...... 315 Serious eases 21 Featherston. Paraded sick 8 Admitted to hospital ....... 0 Remaining in hospital ...... 228 Serious cases 40

Surgeon-General Henderson stated on Tuesday that matters were proceeding very well at the campa. There were only two casea in Trautham Hospital about which any anxiety waa felt, and the remainder of the serious oases were rapidly approaching convalescence. In Featherston Camp conditions were improving. The serious cases of pneumonia, numbered 2!), and of cerebro spinal meningitis 20, of whom two were dangerously ill. The remaining cases were progressing favorably.

GOOD \-EWS FROM HAWER4

The position , continues to show y marked improvement, and there is ever}, indication that the lighters have tli< visitation now well in haßd. All jhe re ports from the house-to-house visitor are distinctly encouraging. This applia to the town- There arc yet some' seriou cases in the Isolation hospital. Sinci Tuesday there were three deaths report ed in this hospital. Alfred Ryan, aged 33, married, laborer, employed by the Post and Telegrapi Department.

Charles Frederick West, aged 42, married, llatt'era County Council employee Eva Griflin, aged 16, daughter of Mrs, Griffin, Inaha. The mother is also ill ii the hospital, and the father is believed to be a prisoner of war in Germany.

To date there have been 142 admissions to the temporary isolation hospital and 24 deaths. At present there ax< 99 patients in the institution. I)r. Thomson arrived from the camj last night to assist the local medical men.

The mortality amongst the Maoris lias been particularly heavy, and some families have suffered very sadly. One wellknown Maori lost his wife and three children.

A meeting of farmers wag held-to eon* sider what steps should be taken to assist farmers who were suffering from t&e epidemic, tho Mayor presiding.' It was suggested that it would be a good thing to get all the soldier milkers released from camp. Mr. Murdoch stated that the RiverAale factory was /the worst off, all the staff except two being down. It was resolved to open a central office, and 1 a committee was set up to-aseist fanners. ✓T

IMPROVEMENT AT ELTHAM^.

A continued improvement in theftfßi.* tion in Eltham is reported by the Argue. Very few serious oases were reported: during Tuesday, and the indications, are that the epidemic is past its worst stag* in this district. Mrs. "E. "A. Osmond died at the Nurs* ing Home yesterday afternoon from tbt effects of pneumonia supervening upon influenza. She leaves a husband olid five children, the youngest being a. fcajbj a week old. . J A considerable number of cases Wer* admitted on Tuesday, but none of then were new eases. The patients at the hospital are making fair progress. Alto* gether 34 have been admitted to thi hospitals. Only one fresh case was reported %&. the Boys' Home yesterday morning, and that of a very mild nature. There tutt 24 boys affected An inhalation plant' 1 has been installed at the Home.

The position at Lowgarth owing 18 influenza is somewhat acute. Many of the farmers and their assistants ar* down, and although their cases are not serious, great difficulty is experienced it milking cows and attending to the faxSt work.

In all 903 visits were paid 5n Tuesday to the inhalation chamber. v '

CHOPS RE-t>PE>Tlsr MASTEKFON/

Masterton, 2T« 'About £0 deaths have occurred sine# the beginning of the month from infln» enaa. There is a great decrease in ttu» number of cases, but there aw stS! many critical ones. The shops C 6* opened to-day-

HOTELS AND PICTURE THEATBES

STILL. CLOSED.

~ Wellington, Last Nlghtj Mr. F. V. Waters, first assistant-MC* retary of the Post and Telegraph DSte partment, died this evening front Influ' enza complications. Colonel Valintine stated to-day that , the hotels, pictures J .etc., will notoa-ope* yet, ■ ,

/ y christohdech.

_ Christehurch, Nor. 23, Reports regarding the influenza e|» dewic continue favorable, and the improvement of the last few days stiff continues. The admissions to hospitals yesterday were seventeen OTI 4 deaths nine. ~

i DUNEDIN. .

Dunedia, Wuv. 2". The'notifications in Otago and Southland dropped to 40, the Otago area showing a decrease from 81 to 22 for today. The admissions to the Dtmediit Hospital on Saturday and Sunday were <59, and on Monday and Tuesday they were down to 5& The deaths weii rather fewer.

' CORNER TURNED AT DUNEDIN, «

Bunedin, Last JSight. £, Dr. Bowie expressed confidence that thi ■corner had 'been turned regarding ths epidemic. "He is convinced that the situation lias been mastered, and that the people have only to continue to pay due regard to necessary precautions; Very few new cases of sickness are r4t ported.

■/ INVERCARGILL.

Invercargill, Last 2s ljrht. A definite improvement can now be reported. The Vigilance Committee <jrreports that the position in the tolnv 4s eminently satisfactory, and there is f marked improvement in the country. Business is still closed down to release the employees for the fight against the epidemic. Nearly fifty members of the railway staff, and over sixty of the post and telegraph staff, are still off duty, but the convalescents are beginning to .return. The cases reported to the Vigilance Committee, and the admissions to the hospital, are rapidly decreasing., There are fewer serious cases. The organisation is being continued with unabated energy to stamp out the disease. The conditions will certainly be mora normal early next week.

The Mayor has telegraphed the Premier, asking that the Dominion's needs as regards financial relief should bei met from the consolidated revenue.