The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1918. THE CRISIS PASSED.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1918. THE CRISIS PASSED.

The decision of the New Plymouth Citizens' Health Committee

and the medical faculty in New Plymouth to close the Health Bureau may be laken at an indication that the great fight which has been put up against the virulent influenza epidemic, has resulted in a victory that will long be remembered throughout the town and district. The crisis has been successfully passed, and though the scourge is not yetstamped out it has been robbed of its terror, and a feeling of devout thankfulness will be experienced by the whole communily. The complete mastery of the epidemic now depends on the care and discretion that is exercised by the public, and especially on the continuance of the precautions that have done so much to overcome the scourge. Special stress is laid on the avoidance, by those w lm are convalescing, of contact with those wlro are avcll, and the latter should take similar precautions with regard to infected persons. Tt. may seem bard-hearted and uncharitable to refrain from visiting and cheering patients who arc recovering, but Ihe welfare of the ■whole community is at stake, and it behoves every member to do his

and Is 0!* utmost In prevent, a recurreiuu' of tlif terrible (rouble throng'!) which wo have beey passinc. Above nil. the most scrupulous cleanliness should be obinside find outside llu 1 home. and every eare taken. to avoifl insanitary conditions. Never has the Dominion passed through a more anxious time, but it has brought out all that is noblest and best, in our citizens, though very ninny homes have been plunged into sorrow and mourning by the hand »f death. r \. few months ago it was grave anxiety over the war situation \t.lint gripped the communitv. but flie magnificent strategy of Marshal Fnc.h. backed up by his indomitable forces, won through. In the light of what has taken place in Taranaki during the 'fight against, the influenza, epidtmic we can in a measure realise bow victory was v:'>n. Dr E. A. Walker, the medical superintendent if the hospital, proved a irencvfili«^ini"> well-fitted for organising and directing the plan of campaign. Tie. too, was backed no by his medical confreres, and an enthusiastic, indomitable baud of --workers. United effort again secured vie-

Tory, and it is 1,0 those doclovs. nnrspf, medical assistants, and al! others who have helped to the ntlnost of their power, that credit is due for the success that has been achieved. All honor 1o these noble, self-saei'ificiiut' men ami wonim who have exeuipliiied so splendidly the true principles of charity and the practical Cachings of Christianity. At a moment's notice when the call came they enlisted for duty, not heeding the risks, but animated only b\Mhe desire to be of service to their fellows in the time of need. Only those engaged in the actual strenuous work.t-liat has been carried out during the visitation can have any adequate conception of the intense nature of the strain.

and th:- equally intense satisfaction that: the crisis isover. Nof.only in the town, but also in Hie country districts,' workers came forward in the cause of humanity, and though the AngeloEDcath was passing and repassing. Hiese Avorhers persevered in their labor of love. Nor were they all immune. Would that it had not been so. Some who could ill be spared made the supreme sacrifice, and it would'only be fitting to have a permanent record of their devotion to duty. ' Those who escaped infection may well feel grateful for such a mercy, and one way ni which they, as well as those who have recovered, can evince their gratitude in a practical manner will bo by helping,' to relieve the many eases of distress and hardship'arsinis from the exceptional mortality that has taken place. All who have helped the ovgaiv.sation formed to combat the epidemic are an honor to the community, from the medical men to tbr. messenger boys or the collectors of medicine bottles, and those who lent motor cars are worthv of special recognition, for, wuhout this rapid means of l,.. ms it: it would have b 'mpos sible to accomplish " exults Unit have been ao.hic ' 'V o"'' ; ng portions- of ti !TI unity of purpose J •>- n> live spirit, exhib'' ' "•" e. i„ Seyond all pvaw. !(.r..-i>mnitv was fralvnuised mto action,, and though the Health

j>iueau lias been closed the services o'f the gallant army of workers are still available, if need?'.!, but it is sincerely to be hoped that by (he exercise of common sense and. care the last trace of the epidemic will soon, have disappeared, thanks to the devotion and untiring work and skill that were brought to bear on the visitation. Tt has been a bitter experience for many, but if the lessons have been veil learn- >;], Time, the healer of all wounds, will soften the heavy blows that have fallen on many a home, and we shall expect to find in the fill wo a. fuller sympathy with all suffering, and a greater stimulus to render willing aid to our neighbors at all times of need.