INFLUENZA.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 15, 25 June 1920, Page 3

INFLUENZA.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES ADYISED. In view of the prevalence of influenza, the District Health Officer (Dr McKibbin) has issued a circular to lbcal bodies, advising the precautions that should be taken to prevent its spread. The Town Council has received the following : — - "The second wave of influenza in aJI parts of the world has been mild. In New Zealand, though school attendance has been interfered with in some areas, the case mortality has been low, and industry but slightly affected. Under the. circumstances I recommend that your Council will adequately meet the oocasion hy warning all citizens to avoid unnecessary indoor congregation during the prevalence of influenza, to liye in well ventilated rooms as much as possible in the open air and to take to bed if attacked and seek medieal advice. The early use of eucalyptus inhalation and ammoniated tino ture of quinine internally is valuable. "Immediate ejection of persons (adult or minor) noticed to be suffering from a cold, from all public gatherings is important, and a recommendation by your Council to that affect, not only to picture theatre managers, but to all custodians of buildings used for public gatherings would be in the iiiterests of public health. Though ordinary influenza is still a notifiahle disease, strong persuasive measures for such persons are the only legal methods available in the absence of a medieal diagnosis. "Adults are as much affected by the present epidemic as children. Compulsory exclusion measures of a general nature, if adopted, would have to be applied widely to be effective or reasonable and are best reserved for serious occasions. In districts where pneumonic cases are occurring medieal practitioners can obtain on demand from this Department anti- influenza vaocine which has been adopted by the Health Authorities in England for the prevention of complications only."