THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1918, Page 3

THE EPIDEMIC.

HOLDING UP N.Z. VESSELS.

REPRESENTATIONS TO N.S.W„-

By Telegraph.— Press Association. Wellington, Last Bight. The Prime Minister to-day sent a cable to the Premier of New SoutHu Wales regarding the vessels for New Zealand held up at Sydney, presumably on awount of the epidemic here, and assuring him there is no good reason to justify this, as the epidemic is rapidly decreasing. Tho vessels include Me Arawa.

SEVER?, EPIDEMIC AT TRLSCO.

PEOPLE COMPELLED TO WEAR

MASKS.

Wellington, Last Night. The Knrow brings word that the influenza was very serious at San Francisco. When the vessel left, 30 days ago, the deaths averaged 90 a day, and peoplo were obliged to wear masks, like the men at the front. Anyone found in the street without this mask was severely fined.

GREYMOUTH.

Grcymouth, Last night. There were no frediv cases and no deaths. There are a few dangerous eases in tho hospital. The want of oranges and lemons is badly felt.

WELLING TOX'S RECOVERY.

Wellington, Last niglht. During the night the conditions in connection with tho epidemic improved all round. There were no calls for the. ambulance.

A BLENBEIM REPORT.

Blenheim, La9t Night. Tho influenza position today is no worse. General indications are that the admirable organisation is keeping the epidemic within bounds. Three more deaths 'bring the Marlborough death-roll to 10, 13 for Blenheim, and three for Picton. Thirteen hospital nurses are infected. There »Te 53 patients at the auxiliary hospital.

DTJNEDIN.

Dunedin, Sov. 28.

The notifications to-day in Otago and Southland were C 6, compared with 40 yesterday. There are about 80 in the auxiliary public hospitals. The deathrata showa a decrease.

HAWERA.

Ilawera, Nov. 28. The epidemic here appears to be definitely waning, and, though there are still some bad cases, a marked improvement is shown and new cases are steadily decreasing. The Maoris have suffered heavily, but splendid results have been achieved recently by those combating the epidemic. The town was to have reopened for business to-day, but on the doctor's advice a resumption will not be made until Monday nest. Farmers must have suffered considerable financial loss, but factories report that the staffs are returning and it is hoped, that the end of the week will find things normal in South Taranaki.

PAHIATUA. ,

Pahiatua, Nov. 28,

The epidemic shows signs of abatement. There Slave teen four deaths in the last 48 hours. There are 23 cases in the emergency hospital, one critical, and six in the convalescent hospital. The country is still suffering badly. There is a great dearth of milkers, but organisation is gradually getting t'he upper hand. The relief fund amounts to £330.

CHRISTCHURCft

Christchurcb, Nov. 28,

Reports show a steady; improvement in the influenza position. Admissions to the hospital yesterday were 16 and deaths S. The District Health Officer has recognised the improvement by cancelling the regulation requiring shops, offices, and factories to close &i 3 o'clock.

ELTHA&L,

(From Our Own Correspondent.) 1

Eltham, Nov. 29.

After putting up a big fight, a man named Meharry has died, a victim of the cpidpmic. He was a recent arrival from the South Island, being accompanied by his wife. The latter has had a very anxious time, hoping all the while thftt her husband's fine determination and cheerful spirit would prevail. Unfortunately, the battle went to King Death. Although a comparative stranger here, the sympathy of all goes to the widow in her bereavementAnother death due to the same com* plaint is that of Mrs. E. A. Osmond. Deceased was a daughter of the late Caleb Maslin, for many years a farmer in this district. As one who had practically spent all her lifetime here, she made a host of friends, who will learn with regret of her untimely end. Her husband is also well known throughout the district, and is left with five young children in his great sorrow.

THE LARGEST WAVE PAST.

BUT EPIDEMIC NOT OVER.

Br. MacDlartnid, acting-Medical Su-j perintendent of the Hawera Hospital, made an important statement to the workers fighting the epidemic. The •opinion was prevalent, he said, that the epidemic was over. It Was not over. All epidemics came along in waves, and they had got over the first Dig wave—probably the largest. Other waves would come along until the epidemic had finally died down, which would be in about a month's time. It wis therefore advisable that they should not relax their efforts in fighting the epidemic, but rather, if possible, to double their energies. He did not think it was advisable to open the Bihops until Monday at the earliest, as the more people congregated the greater the Tisk of infection. Ho noticed that in New Plymouth the food shops were open for certain hours during the day, but it was preferable that these should be open all day, as there was then less likelihood of people crowding together. The whole secret in connection wit'lx dealing with ( the epidemic was the prevention of overcrowding. The official mind was that the epidemic was influenza in a virulent form, but whatever it was the epidemic was the most dangerous disease that had ever visited New Zealand. The most important thing to he remembered was the necessity for maintaining the .general health of the community, and in this connection he could not emphasise too strongly the necessity for plenty of fresh air in the homesnight and day It was astonishing to find, even in these enlightened days, the number of people who discountenanced the value of fresh air. The incubation commenced in the nose and throat, and if a person went to the inhalation chamber twice daily, the chances of their contracting the epidemic would be practically nil. The liquid of zinc sulphate killed the microbe before it entered t!he system. Personally, he did not know of any one who had gone to the inhalation chamber regularly who had contracted the epidemic Anybody who, from various causes, was unable to visit the chamber, would be well advised to obtain a spray and the liquid and use it in the home.

Respirators were also very helpful, said the doctor, tat they should be worn over the nose as well as over the mouth. Ho also desired to emphasise the importance of patients remaining in ijed for at least three days; many people got up because they felt a little better, with the result that a relapse followed, with possibly pneumonia complications. The worst cases were amongst the Maoris, but, strangely enough, the best results were obtained from those Maoris Who were located in a maTquee, which allowed an abundance of fresh air. Mr. Gillanders would bear •him out in this statement. At the beginning of the epidemic certain medicines were given to bring down the high temperature, but it was found from experience that the temperature went up agatn. Spraying was now considered the best method for lowering the temperature. Anydne who had a temperature over 103 should call in a doctor.— Star. After consultation with Dr. MacDiannid, it was decided yesterday to keep the shops closed until Monday, in order not to interfere with the organisation for fighting the epidemic.

SOLDIERS' DEATHS.

REPORTS MILITARY HOSPITALS.

'Advice has been received from the military and convalescent hospitals of the following deaths. The. names and addresses of the next-of-kin are given, all being privates unless otherwise stated:—•

EEATHERSTON SOLITARY CAMP. 83035 Carlyon, Wm. Edwin (Mrs. Car lyon, 30 College Hill, Ponsoaby, Auckland); November 23,

88275 Collins, Sidney Gough, 60th Specialists (Mrs. E. M. Collins, Charlc3 Street, Kaiapoi); November 23.

90824 Chapman, Sidney Wilfred (Mr. Walter Chapman, Kaikoura); November 23.

AT OTHER PLACES,

The following deaths have occurred 'Quarantine hland, Trentfham and Hiramar Convalescent Hospitals:--50737 J. H. M. Bumard (Mrs. R. Burnard, Greytown); November 23. 61279 M .B. Haydon; November 24.

R.S/M. R. Randall; November 25th. 55871 A. W. Avery (Mrs E. M. Avery, Trenthaan); November 25th. 3/2782 J. .T. Maher (M. M&her, BleuI heim); November 26th. i The fololfting deaulis have occurred [at various centres :--*

3/133 C Corporal N. D. Little died at 4.15 a.m. on the 25th instant. Deceased was 23 cars of age and single, his next-of-kin being Mr N. Little, of Mornington, Dunedin. 6/1243 Gunner Ernest Blocksage, a discharged soldier, died 21st instant. He was 37 years of age anil single; next-of-kin, jack Blocksage (brother), Harbor Board, Greymonth, New Zealand. 5/134. William Martyn, Corporal, died :on November 21st. Deceased was a discharged soldier, 25 years of age and single, next-of-kin being Mrs Rose Martyn, of Sydenham, Christchurch. 45399 William Deeble, a discharged soldier, died on November 9th. Deceased was 28 years of age and married, next-of-kin being his wife, Mrs A. Deeble, Bombay, Auckland. 12298 Corporal W. A. Thome, a discharged soldier, died on November 21st, 1918. Deceased was 38 years of age and single, next-ofVkin (being his mother, ;Mrs Louise Thome, of Sydenham, Christchurch.

44966 Lance-Corporal Charles Tremlett Cleeve, an undischarged soldier, on November 20tlt, 1918. Decea-wd was 41 years of age and single, next-of-kin being his mother, Mrs Francis Jane Cleeve, of West Oxford, Canterbury. 90765 Private Robert Johnston Leitch, E Company, CI, oh November 25th, 1918. He was 27 yaars of age and married, next-of-kin being Mrs E. L. Leitch, of Eemuera, Auckland. Miss Corale Lumley, V.A.D., on November 25th, 1M8; next-of-kin Mrs Baker, of Napier. 12/4223 George William Morrison, a discharged soldier, died November 20th; Deceased was 25 years of age and single; next-of-kin, Mrs T. Morrison, of [Grey Lynn, Auckland.

NEW PLYMOUTH TO REMAIN CLOSED.

DOCTORS CONFER.

A conference of local medical men was held yesterday, and later, t;he Medical Superintendent of the hospital met the executive of the Public Health Committee, when the question of re-opening the town was discussed. Tihe medical men recommended that, while the position in New Plymouth is now very satisfactory, it would be in the interests of the Community for the town to remain closed until Monday at the earliest, and if business is resumed then it should be witlhi shorter hours, and town and country people should observe certain regulations which the doctors had drawn up. These minor restrictions would materially assist in preventing a recrudescence of the epidemic. It was pointed out that while the executive appreciated the loss and sacrifice involved by tihe small shopkeepers particularly, and they realised that Saturday was the best business day for them, it was felt that next Saturday would not he a day for big takings, on account of the amount of siekness still about, and on account of the. country people, who made Saturday a big day, iheing unlikely to visit town in large numbers yet. It was also stated that most of the purchase wthich would be likely to be made before Monday would be of necessary articles, which people would purchase in any case when the shops re-opened, so that loss incurred in remaining closed for a day or two longer would not be so great as appeared. It was eventually resolved to ask the townspeople to remain closed for the remainder of this week, and to urge upon people the observance of the following recommendations: — (1) No person affected with disease to enter any habitation other than his own for a period of at least one week after establishing convales-

cence; that is, dating from the time

(lie is up and well able to get about. (2) People* are tirged to spend as much time in the open air as possible, to

avoid over-exertion and keep comfortably clothed. (3) The public both well and ill are to encourage the freest ventilation of every part of the home. (The best tonic in the world is fresh air, tfne

breath of Heaven.) (4) Between this date and Monday the

cleanliness of the home must receive

full attention. (5) For a period of one month all close

face to face conversations must be

avoided, especially indoors. (6) All shopping to be done with queue system and crowding in shops to be prohibited. (7)' A special committee to foe set tr to deal with insanitary habitations

and those in bad repair. (8) People of known insanitary habits, especially in their houses, 'to be

specially dealt with. (9) As already requested by the committee, shopping as far as possible to be done by telephone or by "one for many." (10) It is suggested that the country shoppers organise so as to have one individual, preferably a motor-car owner, to shop for many. At the most, only necessary individuals and

those non-convalescent to come to

town. (U) We regard the carriages of railway trains as one of the greatest menaces to tihe public health and as one of the chief sources of the spread of infection in epidemics like the present. Thorough precaution in regard to the free opening of windows and efficient ventilation plus daily cleansing and disinfection are to be carried out.

STRATFORD,

(From Our Own Correspondent.^

Stratford, Nov. 23. Excellent progress is being made here regarding the lighting of the epidemic. It is pleasing to record that the fatalities are lessening, one death (Mrs. Kettlewell) being recorded. Deceased wa3 a resident of Tariki, and Iter case was rather serious when she was admitted. She was a middle-aged woman, and leaves a husband and two boys, one being away with the Expeditionary Forces. The Whangamomona train brought m two patients to-day—Mrs. Jennings, Kohuratahi, and Mi-. Wilson, railway employee, Te Wera, both serious cases. '

Inquiries made to-day sTiow that Mr. •Riddcll, the Whangamomona postmaster, is in a critical condition, but his brother-in-law, Mr. Rbthery, is showing slight improvement Another critical case is that of a returned soldier named Flynn. who come.-! from To Wera. . If appearances count for anything, the trouble is now on the wane, as the officials in town had a comparatively quiet time compared with seven or eight days bad.'. Eor a few minutes this afternoon I had a conversation with Dr. Paget. He has been out to Tahora, and informs me that the townships east of Stratford are now well organised and are keeping well ahead of the disease. Mrs. Coxhead liad already provided a hospital at Whangamomona, whilst her father made similar arrangements at Kohtiratahi and Mrs /Kennedy at Tahora. He spoke highly of the organisation and work of the voluntary assistants wherever ho wenfs Regarding the disease, they were fighting it successfully in the towns mentioned. Questioned an to, Stratford, Dr. Paget was very optimistic, believing that the next few days would show a big improvement.

From one of the Hospital Board members T gather that the patients are progressing favorably. There is accommodation for about 40 invalids, hut ounfortunately, as soon as an invalid is discharged there is another ready to fill the vacant bod. In fact, there are morn applications than can be provided for, bat the percentage of seriously ill cases is becoming lower, compared with the total treated, than at the outbreak of the epidemic. The bulletin issued to-day shows that there are 14 patients in the Melrose House, four being of a serious nature. In the Technical Colllege 17 are being treated, six being serious and one (Kiddell) critical. Tho numbers visiting the inhalation chamber shows a falling off. This is not desirable, and, seeing that the process of spraying is free to all and voluntary assistants are there to do tho work, added to the fact that it is a wise precaution, those who have patronised in the past should continue doing so until all danger of contact is past. Tt is believed there are over 80 patients in the three main hospitals at date, ibut the number .being treated at their am msHJT ft* & iW»«iMe tort&fe **%

Steven, medical superintendent, and Matron Beadle, in the hospital, are staadin" up well to their duties, a like remark being applicable to Mesdames J. B. Hino and A. W. Budge at Technical. AI the same, the monotony is depressing, the only chance of reHef being a brief visit from a friend, the momentary ;?np of a sympathetic hand, a few j minutes' cheeful conversation, and probably a little refreshment that he would have have taken if alone. The effect is magical, and serves to put heart mto the invalid while helping towards recovery. Naturally the visitor takes all duo precautions, and his good Samaritan work gladdens the heart of the patient and those who are tending him. The diversion is both a stimulant and a tonic. "Just drop in whenever you can spare a' few minutes," rings in* the visitor's car ?.3 ho moves away, so those who condemn idle chatter will see by this that conversation ,in the sick room, pro* vided it does not last too long and touches on anything but sickness, is true, charity. There are a few who are doing this, and if some of them can put in a few miimte3 at the woodheap the Visit would be still more' desirable.

". ) THE CRECHE,

There are still thirteen infants, the full complement, at the creche in, charge of Plunket Nurse 'Williams. Three babies _ went out yesterday, two being taken into private families in to»vn, and one being taken home by its parent. Their placeß were token by. three more from the country. Three other babies are also being accommodated privately.

OLD PEOPLE'S HOME,

The Old People's Home, which was isolated at the commencement of the epidemic, is still free from the disease. Mrs. Bayly reports that all tho inmates are belhaving splendidly and taking their enforced seclusion philosophically;.

GENERAL.

The Health Committee ask that alt those who have had medicines, and are well enough to do so, should call at the committee rooms and pay for same.

MANY HOSPITALS.

The New Plymouth Health Committee's operations have slhown a great expansion since it was organised. It now supplies tho following with medicines,, medical assistants, etc., and keeps an* eye on all the hospitals, excepting Opunake and Pihama, which are directly un--der the care of Major Keenan: —Good Templar Sail (creche), East End Pavilion (women's convalescent home), Kawaroa Park (men's convalescent iliome)., Native Hostelry (Maori hospital), Bell Block Hall,. Tito's Hospital (Native clearing-house), Waitara Hospital and. convalescent home, TJrati, Ingtewood, Okato, Puniho (Native clearing-houso),, Warea, Pungarehu, Rahoiu, Opun&kev and Pihama.