THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1918, Page 5

THE EPIDEMIC.

CONDITIONS AT OTOROHANGA.

ASSISTANCE FOR WAITARA DISTRICT.

(Special to Daily News). Wellington, Last Night.

Owing to the serious nature of the epidemic amongst the Maoris at Otorohanga, Dr. Pornare left with a nurse, assistance and medicines. He will next proceed overland to Mokau, Urenui and Waitara, and Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P . lias advised the chairmen of the Awakino and Clifton Counties, as well as Mokau, to interview him re the matter.

A telegram from the Mayor of Waitara, asking that ambulance orderlies should be sent, was referred to the Minister of Public Health, who stated that his latest advice from New Plymouth was of the best, and he could noc send ambulance orderlies, but looked to the Hospital Board to furnish assistance to the Waitara district.

PRECAUTIONS IN AUSTRALIA.

Received Nov. 28, 8.5 p.mMelbourne, Nov. 28.

A conference of health authorities of all the States recommended that upon the notification of a case of' influenza in the Commonwealth, the State concerned will be declared an infected area and all traffic therewith will be suspended until the disease breaks out in a neighboring State, when traffic will be xesumed in the infected State, subject to strict quarantine measures. Upon tho issue of proclamations, the Commonweath will take complete control of r.U inter-State traffic on land and eea. and close all places of public resort— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

MAOKIS HIDE m THE BUSH.

Wanganui, Last Night.

Good reports regarding the epidemic continue, and there is every reason to believe that the disease is well under in town. The health officer returned from the KaurangaToa Pah this afternoon, and reported that eleven Maoris had died there during the past week. Two serious cases hid in the bush when thi health party vi3it was learned. A Maori woman gave birth to twins in the temporary hospital this morning. Her condition is serious.

ABATEMENT AT AUCKLAND.

Auckland, Last Night.

A good indication of the abatement of the influenza is the fact that the chemists are reverting to their usual hours next Monday. The restrictions on stock sales have been removed. Two additional suburban trains will run to-morrow.

Regarding the Talune complaint, the health authorities state that they were informed when tho vessel entered port that the patient had recovered from influenza, and tbp.t she was proceeding to Auckland to enter a hospital for treatment of a totally different ailment.

CHEERING DECREASE AT WELLING.

Wellington, Last Night.

This evening rspr.ris from the Wellington district commiiDces all record a great improvement and cheering (decrease in the number of reported cases. Lower Hutfc and Petone also report that the epidemic is rapidly abating, though a few new cases are being reported, but none of a serious character.

AT EAWERA.

It is pleasing (states the Star)' to learn that the position is still improving, although the epidemic is not by any means over. There are yet a number of .people down with the visitation, while there are three critically ill in the isolation hospital. Ten patients were admitted to this institution yesterday, and six were transferred to the St. Mary's Convalescent Hospital Unfortunately, there were two deaths in the temporary Tiospital last night:— Mr. Alfred Palmer, fanner, aged 41, married, Ketemarae Road, Hawera.

Mr. Thomas Hall, builder, aged 42, married, Nolantown.

AT ELTHAM.

The Mayor reported at mid-day yesterday that matters in both the hospitals and in the country" were satisfactory, and that there was practically no increase of reported cases. The admissions to the hospital at the time of reporting numbered 39, five having been admitted on Wednesday. Seven have been discharged, and there have been seven deaths.

Thdse in charge of the inhalation chamber reported at noon yesterday that they had had 386 visitors in the morning, while 43 fresh certificates had been issued, bringing the number up to 1128. —Argus.

PATEA.

At Patea a Public Health Committee has been organised. Mr. Pearce, M.P., had sent £2O to help in necessitous cases.

AT OKAIAWA^

While there have not been many deaths among the Europeans in this district, there have been many sufferers, and in a number of instances whole families have been stricken. Where these families were engaged in milkitg, the position was one of considerable difficulty, but, thanks to the neighboring settiers, it has been met. As in other parts, the Maoris have been hard hit, and there have been a good many deaths among them. When on his round of inspection among them last Sunday, Constable Duddy came upon no less than eight (three adults and five children) lying prostrated in one tiny room.

MANGATOKI.

Inquiry shows that there is an improvement in this district. The inhalation chamber of the main factory has heen used well, over 200 going tlirough the spraying; at Matapu, Mahoe, and Lowgarth. Arrangements are now made to instal a power-driven spray at Kaponga, where till now they have heen depending on a hand-pump. We understand that 'Mr. Jacob Marx, who has been suffering from the epidemic, >U. inroroting «Jow3&-iStar

THE HOSPITAL REPORT.

19 ADMISSIONS; 3 DEATHS,

At tlio hospital yesterday there were 10 admissions—s from New Plymouth, i Uruti, 1 Rahotu, 1 Tataraimaka, 1 Pungarehu, 4 Inglcwood, 1 Lepperton, 1 Waitara, and 1 Upper 'Mangorci. Six patients were discharged and sent to convalescent homes, and 155 remained. There were three deaths yesterday, namely, John Mcleod (31), Okato; A H. Goodin (37), Pungarehu; and IT. Hincli (30), Pungarehu.

At the East End pavilion last night there were 20 inmates, and at Kawaroa

At the Native hostelry there were no admissions yesterday and no deaths. Four patients were discharged and sent to the Bell Block Convalescent Home, leaving 9 remaining at the hostel.

NEW PLYMOUTH STATISTICS.

Mr. G. H. White, the statistical officer, reported that there were 25 new case 3in N«w Plymouth, representing seven new houses. One case was classed as serious. None required help and nursing; 10 required medical assistance, and 16 required food. There were CI recoveries. This made a total of 2171 cases, MJ new houses, 130 serious cases, 193 requiring medical assistance, 132 help, 24 nursing, and 407 food. One thousand and eighty-nine had recovered. The striking feature of yesterday's figures was their proximity to the preceding day, tho total number of fresh cases being the same, whilst the recoveries were within two of' tho previous day. Mr. White felt convinced that they were not tabulating all the recoveries. For one thing, many slightly suspicious cases were recorded on the cards that probably afterwards turned out to be nothing more serious than colds. The patients do not think of reporting themselves as "recovered" influenza cases.

Two hundred and eigty-four bottles of medicine weie despatched from the Health Bureau yesterday.

AT THE CONVALESCENT HOMES,

There are now 23 men 'at the convalescent home at Kawaroa Park. Two were discharged yesterday and three admitted, whilst it is expected that five will be discharged to-day.

At East End Prvilion Were are now 24 women convalescing, this being the full quota. Two were discharged yesterday and four admitted.

AT THE MAORI HOSTELRY.

There are nine patients in the Maori hospital that has been established at the Native hostelry. Five more were expected to enter t!bo institution. Four patients were transferred to the Native convalescent home at Bell Block. All the patients in the hospital are doing well, with the exception of three, who are classed as serious. There were no deaths up till 9 p.m. yesterday. Tiho following are the names of the four patients who died on Wednesday: Kerei Mare (Ra&otu), Piwa Kohi (Dorset Eoad), To Ono. Tahuri (Motumii), To Roku Tapuke (Kaipakopalco).

AT MOKAJU AND AWAIONO.

Three medical assistants from New Plymouth went out yesterday to organise the country north of Mount Messenger. The launch went up the Mokau River yesterday. Only one case was found up the upper Mokau, and that case is Recovering. _ •■— •

; AT URUTI.

Six cases from the TJruti district were brought in to the New Plymouth Hospital yesterday. The ChSf Medical Assistant went out yesterday and rendered valuable service. There are a large number of cases in the district which will require, careful watching. The Chief Medical Assistant will probably go out again to-day*

IN THE WAITARA DISTRICT. The inspector of organisation reported that he visited Waitara and attended a meeting of citizens held to set up a committee to confirm those already or replace those who now could not act. They took up the question of further co-ordination between the Waitara and New Plymouth ambulance services, pointing out the difficulty and waste of time in our men trying to locate cases on unknown roads in tlic dark. It was suggested that they evacuate all urgent cases in daybght to Waitara, so that the New Plymouth ambulance could fill up each trip at Waitara, and, if necessary, could travel safely on this road at night. This they promised to do, and as their ambulance will carry three, they could clear up many cases by short runs over connected rounds and discharge at Waitara Hospital, where reserve accommodation could be provided temporarily. The committee are now fairly well coordinating, and readily agreed to the to increase the hospital ac'commodation by establishing a new convalescent home at one of the schools as 'authorised by the New Plymouth medical superintendent. The necessary steps for this were already under way, and provided blankets can be sent early today they should be in working ord # er by mid-day. This will give some additional 18 beds for sick cases. Prom what we can see there will be full need tor these extra beds. The additional V.A.D.'s and the new trained nurse now in charge should relieve the situation considerably. If present arrangements are carried into effect promptly the position at Waitara should be sufficiently sound to meet any further development amongst the Maoris. Seventeen new cases of influenza were found at Kairau pah. Four of these were sent to Waitara hospital yesterday, and the other thirteen cases will be brought to Waitara hospital this morning. Four serious cases from Waitara will be brought to the New Plymouth hostelry. Six new cases from Lepperton were brought to Tito's hospital last night.

ALONG THE COAST.

CONDITIONS IMPROVING.

Nurse Jones, who is in charge of the hospital, has 13 cases under her care, and all are making splendid progress. Out of the nine houses visited by the local committee, seven cases were rel ported, two being noted as serious.

The hall has been divided, by being curtained off down the centre; the male cases arc accommodated on one side and tlu females on the other. All the necessary equipment lias been provided, and the arrangements are all that can be desired. Mr. Rockel, the medical assistant, is ever on the alert, and by close attention to details the work of the institution is running smoothly. A pleasing feature is the appreciation shown by the settlers in what is being done for them. An abundant supply of butter, milk, and firewood (cut up), is being supplied by the Cape Egmont Dairy Factory. Out of the original staff of 11 hands at tho Cape ftgmont Factory, only two are able to continue their duties. The new hands are, however, quickly learning the business, and it is hoped that by the first of next month conditions will be normal. The manager (Mr. Guild), who has practically recovered from influenza, resumed his duties yesterday. Regarding the statements made that members of the Health Committee found it almost impossible to obtain food at Pungarehu, some little misunderstanding has occurred. We are assured that the dining room run in connection with the factory has alwayg been at the service of visitors to the district, and is so now. All arc welcome to partake of a hearty meal.

That, the majority of the settlera did not recognise the seriousness of the outbreak is acknewlodged, which explains the fact that there -was delay in organisation at the commencement of the epidemic. To discover a capable organiser at a moment's notice is b\- no means ea3V, and the lack of a leader was more the cause of delay than lack of willingness and patriotism on the part of settlors. The way that the work is being carried on now is ample proof in that respect.

The Teports right along the coast from Pungarehu to Opunake are reassuring. At Rahotu there are 23 patients in hospital, and all aro doing "well. Opunake has only eight patients, who arc all progressing favorably. Pungarehu.—Miss Hill and Miss Surnmn are being sent from New Plymouth this morning for duty at Pungarehu Hospital, relieving Mrs. Joseph and Mrs. Knight, who will report to Warea Hospital for duty. The medical assistant in charge reports two or three new cases yesterday. One patient was sent from Pungarehu temporary hospital to New Plymouth Hospital. As far as con be gathered, the. patients at Okato and Warea hospitals are all doing well.

Major Keenan, in charge of the Opunake district, visited New Plymouth yesterday afternoon, and had a conference with Dr. Walker, afterwards returning to Opunake.

Major Keenan is opening a Maori convalescent hospital at Parihaka, and expects to require 50 beds. Twenty-five will be got ready to meet his order when it comes. iffe also asks that telephones be fixed at Raliotu and Oaonui hospitals. This is urgently required. The ambulance left at 10 p.m. for Opunake to bring a young lad in to the New Plymouth Hospital.

A V.A.D. was required for the Okato hospital, and Miss Cassie, of Newall Road, was appointed, and Mrs. Osborne, from New Plymouth, took night duty last night. A report from Puniho stated that Mr. W. Grey .and the Maoris were not agreeable to transfer their convalescents to Bell Block, preferring to establish their own convalescent home in the districtA house was .available, and they also had a young lady who could bo placed in charge. At the Puniho Native Hospital the Natives, are rendering great assistance. The younger women are doing great work picketing. MANAIA REPORT.

The Manaia < report for Wednesday is as follows:

Hospital Report.-—One patient discharged convalescent; three fresh admissions; remaining from Tuesday, one patient, very seriously ill; other cases improving.

Maori Hospital.—All cases improving; additional nursing staff urgently wanted in this hospital. Appeals for assistance to Native Minister and Native member for the district have been referred to the Health Department. Reports from country districts showfresh cases still occurring, but none really serious.

Indications are that the epidemic is decreasing, and the eases of a milder nature. Nurses, doctor, and chemist still keep well, but several helpers are down witli a mild form of influenza or over-strain.

GENERAL.

A report reached the New Plymouth committee vesterday that the Kaponga organisation was not all that it might be No doubt if assistance is asked tor from New Plymouth the committee will willingly render it. The Tikorangi settlers are holding a meeting on Saturday morning, and have asked some of the New Plymouth committee members to attend. It was stated yesterday that thirteen Maoris had died at Pihama. We are informed by the Public Health Committee in that district that there has been only one death at Pihama—that of a Maori, aged GO. A girl aged IS died at the Pa tiki pah. There have, however, been 3 or i deaths at Oeo and fi or 7 among the natives of Glen Road, making up the thirteen whicli was reported to us from a reliable source as being the number that had died in the Pihama district.