H.—l9b

Treatment. —Apart from general routine treatment for plain influenza, in which sod. sal. was of great value, that of pneumonic influenza was largely symptomatic. Apart from nursing no special drug or line of treatment seemed to be outstanding. Alcohol (e.g., whisky, brandy, or rum) in my opinion proved of great value in the epidemic, and I am convinced that many lives were saved and illnesses averted by its use during the epidemic in camp. The constant and fairly heavy drinker was not markedly benefited by its use when ill. It was noted that the heavily built, deep-chested type stood pneumonic infection badly, and that the leaner type was the reverse. Returned men stood lung complications badly, and appeared to have no resistive power. Age seemed to have a marked influence on incidence, the youthful and those over fifty being comparatively immune, as the age-incidence seemed to lie between twenty-five and forty. In the pneumonic type nursing loomed very largely. Out of a total of 314 men placed on the serious list from direct pneumonic complications, the fact that 50 per cent, recovered bears eloquent testimony to the devoted and excellent nursing under very trying conditions. One must remember that many were admitted to hospital from outside camp in a moribund condition. Complications were relatively few. (a.) Empyemata : Two, one since tubercular, the other recovering. (b.) Pulmonary phthisis: One, followed pneumonic type, (c.) Cardiac sequele : Relatively not a marked feature, though one sudden death occurred during convalescence. (d.) Mental aberrations: Not marked, but one case. (c.) Simple pleurisies: Not uncommon. (/.) Pulmonary abscess : Not noted. (g.) Venous thrombosis : Two, both left femoral, and both did well, (h.) Cerebro-spinal meningitis : This is dealt with in a separate memo, amplified by a special report by Captain Crawshaw, N.Z.M.C, F.M.C Bacteriological Investigations. —Unfortunately, owing to the Camp Bacteriologist having gone down early in the epidemic, practically no work on these lines was possible. Latterly a small supply of mixed streptococci and staphylococci vaccine was obtained from Christchurch; but, owing to the fact that few patients remained, no reliable data could be formed as to its value, although it apparently assisted some. Preventive Measures, on general lines, were early adopted. Inhalation chambers (of value), systematic gargling, avoidance of crowding, and cancellation of leave were amongst these. Place must be found here for reference to the splendid way in which combatant units responded to our call for aid, and to the assistance given us so freely by Headquarters. It was a revelation of human self-sacrifice. The deaths of Sister Wishaw, Captains Christie, Wheeler, and others of our corps is to be greatly deplored, sadly illustrating how unsparing of itself and its efforts had been the N.Z. Medical Corps, Featherston, in combating the scourge which had so suddenly descended upon us.

Return of Admittances. dec, Featherston Military Hospital, as from. 11th November, 1918, to 80th November, 1918.

J. H. Graham Robertson, Lieut.-Colonel, Principal Medical Officer, Featherston Military Camp. REPORT OF PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER ON PREVAILING DISEASES AT TRENTHAM MILITARY CAMP, 1918. Report on Medioal Transactions, 191.8. During the year 1918, 1.0,392 T.A.B. inoculations were carried out. Throat swabs examined. 15,946; special laboratory examination of urine, 40; sputum examinations, 181; special bacterial cultures, 447; pus specimens examined, 289. Spray Treatment. —As usual, " suspects " after throat-swabbings were sent to isolation camp until their swabbings were negative. Spray treatment on the whole was very effective in cleaning up post-nasal infections. All contacts of infectious cases — e.g., measles —where the infection was suspected to be spread by the oro-nasal passages, were treated by inhalation, I think with good result, for although measles, German measles, and mumps occurred practically throughout the year there was nothing in the nature of an epidemic

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Date. OV. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Admitted. 266 137 83 87 .. ! 92 .J 37 .. 32 29 18 10 Serious Cases. 122 129 145 143 141 145 .128 91 97 84 Date, remaining. 2,462 Nov. 21 2.269 22 2,247 23 1,849 24 1.717 25 1,533 26 1,343 27 1.216 28 1,010 29 813 30 Admitted. I 5 3 5 6 .. ! I .. 6 •■ ; 3 i Serious Daily Cases. remaining. 73 731 60 593 46 564 40 518 29 407 20 360 21 328 20 295 18 280 14 215