INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1919, Page 2

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

POSITION IN SYDNEY, THEATRES CLOSED AND RACE MEETINGS STOPPED. Sydney, April 2. The Consultative Medical Council has recommended the Government to close all thoatrcs and prohibit race meetings both in the city and country. The Cabinet is adopting the recommendations. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. COMMISSION IN DUNEDIN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, April 2. At the Influenza Commission Dr. Bowie, who was acting superintendent of Dunedin Hospital throughout the epidemic period, said that from November, 11, 701 patients were admitted and J72 succumbed to influenza. Of these *6O deaths occurred at ages from 21 to 30 and 60 from 31 to 40. Of 118 nurses in the hospital 82 contracted influen .; and four died. The pandemic came to Dunedin with explosive suddenness. The first case was admitted on November 8, and on the Hth the hospital was crowded. The explosive nature of the outbreak convinced him that the pandemic was brough' from elsewhere. He thought tli js no doubt that the disease came to Dunedin after the Christchurch races. Masks wore exceeding good if used intelligently, but dangerous if used with. out intelligence. There was no reason for a man in the open air using a mask as long as he was not in contact with a number of people. Masks with strong antiseptics were a mistake. He did not believe in masks as a general prophylactic to be used in the streets. The first matter in preventing disease was to keep it out of the country. This was a public health matter. Ships should be quarantined and patients carefully examined, and should sporadic cases appear they should be isolated. He thought the Public Health Officer in Dunedin should have almost unlimited power in case of an epidemic. The Rev. Vincent King, continuing from yesterday, emphasised the importance of fixing prices during the epidemic, especially of citrus fruit. He suggested a right measure was to commandeer at fair prices. He also urged the control of prices, and the route of funerals. A large number of the latter, using the main streets, had a depressing effect. He pointed out that, in the case of orphans loosing father ■and mother in the epidemic, nothing could be granted for their support unless _ they were formally committed to un industrial school. This was scandalous, their names being for ever on the books, and a stigma attaching to I them throughout their lives. He . suggested that in such cases the guardianwhip should be transferred. The vast mass of the people were very ignorant in the matter of attending to the sick. The Commission visited Quarantine Island this afternoon. j