THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1918, Page 7

THE EPIDEMIC.

REPORT. TO HOSPITAL. BOARD. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT'S COMMENTS, At yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board reports on the influenza epidemic were received from the medical superintendent of the hospital (Dr. E. A. Walker), who also drew attention to the urgent need for improved laundry and disinfeoting facilities at the hospital. DE. WALKER'S REPORT. Dr- Walker reported that pandemic influenza, which had already wrought great havoo in other parts of the Dominion, had invaded this district during November. A number of isolated cases were noted in tho first fortnight, but at the end of the month the full violence of tho wave struck Taranaki. Before the end of the month 350 cases had been admitted to the hospital, and at so rapid a rata that the heaviest of strains fell upon the staff and accommodation. As the availablo beds were occupied, and the wards of the new liospital filled, the old building, which had been cleared of diphtheria cases, was equipped expeditiously with stretchers and otherwise fitted to receive th» overflow. Soon, however, it became evident that the hospital alone could not meet the situation, chiefly on account of the large proportion of severe cases demanding treatment- Accordingly, the pavilions at the East End, Kawaroa and Ngamotu were placed ot the disposal of the Health Committee, and the former two pavilions were speedily equipped as convalescent homes. This provision saved the situation, and enabled the hospital to maintain a constant reserve for possible emergencies. The value of these homes may be etsimated from the fact that 184 patients passed through in convalescence, and not only did the hospital directly benefit thereby, but the patients themselves made rapid advance towards recovery under most desirable conditions. During November 358 cases of influenza were treated in: the hospital and at the Native Hostel, which had to be organised for the treatment of native patients,. Of these cases the largo proportion of 173 developed pneumonia. This grave complication accounted for 78 deaths, of which 17 were natives. There were two deaths from meningitis and one from toxaemia. It is, however, a source of comfort to note that such a substantial number of pneumonia cases were saved. Although the death roll is a heavy one, it Is to bo remembered that with a small number of exceptions only severe cases were sent to the hospital, which was therefore used to the best advantage. The hospital is under a lasting debt of gratitude to the medical men of the district, to the medical assistants, and to the staffs of tho many tomporary hospitals and convalescent homes, for the work done outside the institution, and for the care taken that the hospital should be enabled to do its b«Bt for the worst types of the disease- The outbreak has been of a most malignant type, and its infectivity great. This is shown by the fact that only one member of the nursing staff escaped, and many of the cases were severe. Under these circumstances it is gratifying to note the large proportion of the population who escaped infection, and the population of mild and moderately severe cases. As I have stated, tho hospital staff has passed through a period of grave strain and anxiety, and at the present time the work of the institution iB being carried on by a staff that is really only convalescent after illness, in' addition tp the factor of overwork. I have, therefore, to advise that for the next four weeks the work of the hospital be kept as light as possible, and that cases ha eent to the hospital only where really necessary,, It is my intention, subject to the Board's approval, to allow every nurse in the institution one week's leave apart from her annual leave, this being extended, when necessary, under special circumstances. We have to recogniße the general co-operation of the public, who have fallen in with all regulations mode fryn time to time, and who have undertaken treatment in the home which would, under ordinary conditions have been carried out in hospital. It is hoped that the end of January the hospital will be aible to resume its normal activities, and enter on a fur> ther period of usefulness to the community. Dr. Walker subsequently attended tho board meeting, snd made some further explanations ia reference to the disease. He stated that though the epidemic had died down so far as the district was concerned, it had not so far as tho Hospital work was concerned, for there wove still some 60 cases in the institution. While the mortality had been serious, he hesitated to suggest what might have been the result but for the local organisation and the splendid work done by all who assisted. Except for that, the ordinary means for combatting disease yould not have held out a week. Dr. Walker then , proceeded to explain, and illustrated his meaning by means of a graph, how the disease had affected people o.f various ages There had been comparatively few casis I amongst children under 15 years. Tlie maximum number of cases had occurred amongst those between the ages of 20 and 45. The most severe cases were found between the ages of 15 and 40, and after the latter age there was a marked diminution in the number of cases and in their severity. The maximum num- ! her of deaths took place amongst people, between 35 and 40 years of age. Tlie! doctor explained that the epidemic been world-wide and medical experience , had shown that certain classes of .the; eases were practically hopeless from thp commencement of the onset- Of,these.j particular cases, not 10 per cent v ;rc-,l covered, and the use of drugs proyed of, no avail. New Zealand had been U|i j against the most ghastly epidemic that the Dominion had ever known. While there had been a relatively high nioi- j tality in the hospitals, thst waß not the ease in comparison with the actual num- j her of cases or with the population. In j the Borough of New Plymouth some 2700 cases had been reported, but the deaths in the Hospital, which numbered I 35, were low when compared ns sug- j gested. The excellent results obtained; would have been impossible but for the help of the general public, and that suggested that the Health Deportment should make use of the experience gained therefrom in the direction of prepan.n.s; some sort of plan and organisation for 1 national relief work, which could be set in motion in a very short, time in order ' I to combat any future epidemic, thongh he honed it might never be needed. T" JUpidemie had come, to**"- unexpectedly.

and there had been a ghastly toll to pay. Referring further to the Xtw Plymouth organisation, he spoke with appreciation of the manner in which the ■workers had entered into the task and 'of the splendid efficiency with which ■every department of the work had been carried out. It had been comparatively easy to organise in New Plymouth be*cause business was voluntarily suspended for some time, and there was an unlimited supply of workers. The first 10 days had been the most anxious tiwd, owing to the large number of nurses contracting the disease, through coming in such close contact with the most virulent cases in the locality. The work had beon eased somewhat, and they had been relieved of a good deal of anxiety by the establishment of the coast hospitals in the Egmont County, which had dealt with a large number of cases which but for their establishment would have put a heavy tax on the general hospital. In referring to the mortality amongst residents of the country districts, Dr. Walker gava the opinion that it was largely due to the conditions under which the farming community of Taranaki had had to live during the past few years. The war had come and taken men from almost everywhere, and those remaining had, as a result, been in most cases greatly overworked, and consequently their powers of resisting the disease were much reduced. It was a remarkable thing that amongst those who had succumbed to the trouble were many men in the prime of life, and of fine physical development, but who had been unable to combat the disease. Commenting, in conclusion, on the expenses of the epidemic, tho doctor said the matter could not be looked at in the ordinary and hard business fashion. Though the mortality had been heavy, and the disease had been of a malignant type, there Was no doubt that the work carried on by voluntary and, for the most part, proficient workers had saved many and what expenses were incurred was money that would yield the very best return. Dr- Walker was applauded at the oon. elusion of his remarks, and a vote of thanks was accorded him for his Teport. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS. The chairman (Mr. M. Fraser) said ho felt it was his duty to refer to the obligation he- was under to the citizen* of New Plymouth, both men and women, for taking upon their shoulders the great responsibility of fighting the very serious epidemic which has invaded the district. Members of the board were aware of how the Citizens' Committee and the 'House Committee of the board, took part, called a public meeting, of how the people of the town willingly volunteered and worked, giving their whole time--night and day—to the atrettutras work attending those helpless families wilt were stricken with the trouble, giving the use of motor-cars for taking people to hospitals and distributing medicines More than 2000 people in the towß needed assistance. Whea everyone ib town and country did all they could, is would be invidious to mention names, but he felt lie must refer to Mr. Svkeg, who not only dispensed large quantities of medicine but also manufactured medicine. The women with nursing expert ence also, who left their homes and ohij dren and went out to the coast tempo!* ary hospitals that were filled with severe caseß, working there night and day. lie referred also to the tireless work that fell to the lot of the New Plymouth V.A.D's. At the hospital the nursing staff were all down, and the n/edieal superintendent, with s >taff of volu* tary workers, kept the flag flying in the midst of the sorrow and suffering that came to the district. It was gratifying to remember, he said, the noble selfsacrifice of the women of Taianaki. The story of how they fongKt tho plague of 1918 would never be forgotten, and the board must put on record their deep obligation to the army of voluntary workers. The hoard resolved to place on rfceord its appreciation of the noble work of the medical staff, matron, nurses, and V.A.D.'s of the Hospital, also the Mayor and Mayoress, members of the Citizens' Committee and all other committees, and all who made such heroic sacrifices in fighting the influenza epidemic.