INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

COMMISSION HEARS FURTHER EVIDENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. At the Epidemic Commission, Dr. Colquhoun said the disease was conveyable by goods, letters, postal packet#, etc. The most susceptible ages had been from 20 to 50. In preparing for a possible epidemic the hospital fend municipal authorities should try to get accommodation in open sheds or tents. The best defence was sound hygiene, and the gulblic have been educated to thf necessity for this. He condemned pwblic inhalation and the use of masks,, as the former congregated a large number of uninfected and, possibly, infected people together, while the latter, if they permitted the passage of air also permitted the passage of the minute microorganisms of influenza, and had the disadvantage of restricting the supply of fresh air to the wearer, lie did not think the Niagara was t9 blaine for the epidemic, since severe oeimlred immediately after her arrival, and the psriod of iheulmtion required. A recurrence of influenza was almost certain to ft NeW ZttMid, 'tat did not follow it would be of last year's severe 'type. He thought a recurrence would probably take place within the next month. The fiftV. King advocated the extension of the powers of \thc local district health officer, who had. to refer too mtitth to Wellington- He should have power in an emergency to nationalise the whole medical and nursing services, and apportion any surplus in one district to another. should also he power to inspec.t and go into hottses. The commission adjourned-till Wedhtesdar. *!r

FIVE CASES IN WELLINGTON DISTRICT Wellington, Last Night. During the week ending.at noon today hve cases of influenza were reported throughout the WftllM£t6n Public Health district, One case w&s severe, ahd four wfere mild. The cases Were ioeatei as follows: Two at Wellington, two at Wanganui and one at Waiapu. \