THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1918, Page 5

THE EPIDEMIC.

RESUMPTION OF BUSINESS.

VERY FEW FRESH CASES,

Yesterday the shop? iu New Plymouth re-opeueil, after having been closed for over a l'oitnigkt on account ot the prcvailing epidemic. Thoy did not re-op.:n for the usual hours, but from 1) am. to i p.m., during which time they appeared to do fair business. There was a good crowd in the streets, probably tempted out by the perfect weather prevailing.

It was noticeable that the conditions laid down by the Health. Committee in regard tq shopping were in the majority of eases observed by shoppers, but there were some instances where overcrowding occurred.

The position in the town was said to be very favorable yesterday. Owing to the block system having lapsed, it was impossible to obtain statistics, as has been the case daily during the past fort: night, but, as far as could be ascertained, there were only fifteen fresh cases yesterday.

HOSPITAL REPORT.

At the hospital yesterday there were 13 admissions, 8 from Uruti (due to the clearance of the hospital there) and 4 ffom New Plymouth. There was one death—Albert E. Kronk, Frankley Road (26). The total number of oases in the hospital last night was ISO, of which 140 were influenza cases. There were 13 discharges—4 to the East End and oto Kawaroa.

At the native hostelry there was one admission yesterday from Pihama, two patients were discharged, and no death occurred. There are now 21 cases in the institution.

DR. PdMARE'S VISIT.

Dr. Pomare visited New Plymouth yesterday, and conferred with the medical superintendent and other members of the medical profession. Subsequently, in company with Dr. Blackley, lie visited the Maori hospital in Morley Street, and the temporary hospitals at Bell Block and Waitara. He spoke to the various especially the convalescents, ,'some of whom were fretting under the 'restraints imposed, particularly in regard to food, and subsequently expressed liis entire satisfaction with the measures [taken for the care of the natives, which, he acknowledged, could not be improved , upon. IN THE OPUNAKE DISTRICT. The position at all the coastal hospitals last niglit was reported to be very satisfactory. The Hawera Star's Opunake correspondent states that on Sunday Dr. Pomare paid a visit to the district, and inspected the Maori hospital at Pihama, and the main hospital at Opunake, and Was pleased with the arrangements and service. He met representatives from all parts of the district in the evening, and addressed them briefly on the manner of dealing with the epidemic, and eulogised the work already done undor Major Keenan's supervision. A Maori hospital was opened in the school at Rahotu on Saturday, which Dr. Pomare is to inspect. He is also visiting Parihaka, for the purpose of impressing on the , natives the urgent necessity of accept--1 ing the medical aid offered to them, and of reporting all- cases of sickness occurring among them. If necessary, a hospital for natives will be established at Parihaka. In the meantime the Rahotu hospital is dealing with the cases reported near there. A Maori woman, Mrs. Conroy (more commonly known as Lucky Maude) died at her own home at Rahotu on Saturday night. There Were 10 cases in the Rahotu jiatiye hospital on Sunday night, and three at Pihama. At Opunake there were 1C patients in the main hospital; three children in a smaller building, and at the Convent, where the sisters are undertaking the care of children, there I were eight. At Oaonui there were 19, ; Rahotu 28, and Te Kiri 8. All the patients are doing well, and there are no critical cases. Several men cases have been classed convalescent, and are enjoying the hospitality of Father Doolaghty until they are strong enough to resume work.

Major Keenan has made some strong ,remarks about the general condition of affairs existing at the "batches" at dairy factories. These do not apply in every case, but at numbers of factories he has found the "batches" in a filthy statedirty, greasy tables, littered with dirty dishes and the remains of several meals; floors which have not yet seen water perhaps for years; filthy bedding, and dirty bunks. Several patients have been brought in here from these "batches," which must be a veritable breeding ground for disease. The representative meeting on Sunday evening decided that every house in Eminent County should be properly fumigated, and details for carrying Ibis out will be completed in a few days. It is a big order, but with the splendid organisation which we have established we hope to fulfil it. Householders should take this hint, and have a general cleanup of their'yards and surroundings, and thereby lighten the duties of the Health Committee.

PATEA.

The epidemic in Patea, owing to the large number Qf cases in the surrounding district-, has not entirely abated. Eight of the nurses at the hospital are now laid up, and an. ojara burden, lias been placed on the -shoulders ; of those who are left.

. In response to the appeal made by .the Health Committee through the Hospital Board, the Department has transferred Dr. Crawford, of Marton, to Patea, in order to assist the local authorities in the establishment of a native hospital, and thus relieve the strain at the local institution.

Immediately after his arrival on Saturday, Captain Crawford held a consultation with the'chairman of the Hospital Board and the Health Committee. Later he visited all the cages in the town, and motored to Matukuroa and Whenuakura. The whole of the natives eases were visited in these districts, and as a result, Dr, Crawford was able to report that with twe exceptions the whole of the patients were doing.well, and the same could be said of the native patients in the town!— Press.

WAVERLEY. l'he epidemic may now be said to bo well on the wane, so far as Waverley is concerned, and for some days past the departures from the temporary hospital have exceeded tlie arrivals. Miss Wilson, of the Clarendon Hotel,

HAWEP

; During the week-end (reports The Star) there were nine admissions to the temporary isolation hospital, while three were transferred to Si. Mary's convsilnscent hospital. To date there have lieen 104 admissions to the temporary isolation hospital, 28 deaths, i>g transfers, while there are at present in the institution 41 patients. With the exception of I one patient, none of the eases are regarded as serious.

There were no deaths in the temporary isolation hospital on Saturday, but one patient died on Sundity—Mr. George Stampa, single, 28 years) farmer, Okaiawa.

HELPING THE FARMERS.

Ttte Star 'understands the arrangements made by the committee organised by the Loan and Mercantile and Farmers' Co-op. Society have so far been able to meet every call made for assistance by those who have been laid aside owing , to the present epidemic, and that help has been given to milk over 1000 cows. Tt is wonderful the way in which the townspeople and soldiers have resppnded to the call, and milking during the past .fortnight has been anything but a summer holiday for these men, who found cows in the flush anything but a joke. However, they have stuck to it splendidly, and great credit is duo to them. '

MANAIA. :

There are thirteen patients now in the hospital, all of whom are progressing satisfactorily. One case is still serious. At the Maori hospital one died yesterday morning—Werape tioni Tui, aged 12. One case is serious. The nine other Maoris in the hospital are all steadily improving.—Witness.