INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17005, 12 November 1918, Page 4

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK. EFFECT' OF ORGANISATION. OVERTAKING THE DISEASE. NURSING HELP STILL NEEDED. The position with regard to the influenza f-pideraic in the city and suburbs is now considerably brighter, the reports corning froTi the majority .'of the districts indicating that, even if the epidemic, has not yet commenced to 'abate,: -the combative measures taken are , overtaking the malady. As is to be expected, serious cases are still coming in, but the majority of these are persons .who have been down with the disease for some-days and are only now applying for assistance.,.'■ All the relief organisations are working at high pressure, and yesterday hospital accommodation was taxed to its utmost, but more beds will be- available to-day. An increased .number of calls for;, food was dealt with yesterday, but thus is believed .to.be due 'to the {act that'the.-.sick; are recovering and resuming ; their appetites. "It is imperative.that'--there'..should be no relaxation .in the part of : the people, who are advised by the medical authorities to still take all precautions, whether already stricken, or only, developing the symptoms .' . , Th -re were 22 deaths in the various hospital up to midnight, as compared with 20 f( r the preceding 24 hours. , Fig .ires compiled ■from the official records of patients admitted to the various Hospitals show by fur the greater number of serious cases come from the iity area, no less than 158 having been taken from the congested areas ■ lying "around the business section' of .-the city. Other figures are: Ponsonby 30; New'ti.ii, 20; Dominion Road and Mount Eden. 20; Grey Lynn, 10; Kingsland, 10; Eden. Terrace, Edcndale, .f.t'c, 13; Freeman s Hay, 9; Newmarket, 9; Kpsom, 8; Parnell, 61 Remuera, 5; Heme Bay, 4; Point Chevalier, Mount Albert, Morningside, Archhill, etc., 20. Patients. .fieqaiva Prompt Attention.

Cord' work. continues. to be done at the various hospitals, and although many serious cases continue to come in the completion of the organisation is making it possible to give prompter attention to the patients as they "are ad nittod. There are now 65 beds occupied at Kubryde, and 77 at the Technical College, where another 25 beds are to bo installed to-day. At the Vermont Street school there are now 68 patients. Two were discharged yesterday as convalescent, and there are six more cases showing [ equal improvement. There are between 70 and 80 patients at tho hospital annexe suffering from influenza, and all are receiving every attention. Since the epidemic commenced particular attention has been paid to calls for assistance for returned soldiers stricken with the disease, and no time has been lost if. transferring urgent cases to the annexe. Steps are being taken to equip and put St. Joseph's school, Grey Lynn, into commission A kitchen is being erected and iurnituie is being installed. This institution, which will accommodate about 100 patient.!, will be ready for occupation within the next few days. Many of the Sisters of Mercy at the Mater Misericordia Hospital, Mountain Road, and practically all the nurses, have contracted influenza, and their places have been I lied temporarily by the sisters brought from other centres. The hospital is full, mainly with influenza cases, and there are eight patients in the chapel. Several children whose parents are suffering from influenza were admitted to the Myers Kindergarten yesterday afternoon, and are receiving all the kind attention willing helpers can give. These children will be removed to the new Y.W.C.A. Building today to make room for children suffering from influenza. Tho kindergarten, which has the very latest appliances, including hot-water service, baths, and cooking arrangements, has now had a number of bods installed, and child patients are assured of every comfort and attention. Small children are being affected by the epidemic more now than was the case earlier in the outbreak, and it ifl expected that about 30 cases will be taken to the kindergarten to-day. Healthy children requiring supervision only will be admitted to the Y.W.C.A. from today. The ladies in charge of these institutions are appealing for clothing of all kinds suitable for very small children.

Health Officer's Arrangements.

The acting-chief health officer, Dr. 3. P. Frengley, expressed the definite opinion last evening that, with the improvement in organisation, the epidemic is being gradually but surely checked. Many of the initial obstacles have been overcome, and no very serious cases are left long in neglect, immediate attention cannot al-ways-be -given, because, there is still a lack of voluntary workers. Dr. Frengley emphasised the importance of not relaxing precautions, even in the incipient cases of •illness. He said he had no definite information regarding a shortage of the drugs required, but he had taken the necessary steps to ensure that there would be no shortage of anti-influenza remedies. A supply of oxygen for pneumonia cases has arrived.

• Regarding the provision of additional inhalation chambers, it is stated that the holiday last Friday due to the premature announcement that Germany uad concluded .an armistice was almost directly responsible for the iihortage of inhalation apparatus. ■ The Pilillic ' Hearth Department has only received six of the ten inhalation machines ordered several days ago. As each machine is received, new inhalation chambers will be opened at Three Lamps, Ponsonby, Mount Albert, Newmarket, the Railway. Department, and other centres. In the Outside Districts.

A small settlement [ outside : Piha : has been affected by the epidemic, and two men, three women, and five children—-all liaJf-casles—are now ill. "It was reported to the Hospital Board yesterday that these people were without attention, and -Mr. G. Knight, a member of the board, left by motor-car to endeavour to obtain assistance from the surrounding districts. Out of 25 cases reported from Swunson there is only one serious case at present, this being a returned soldier, who cannot be moved. Generally the position in the district is satisfactory. Owing to the epidemio the -week-end camp, which was to have been held from Saturday, by the New Zealand Garrison Artillery, has been cancelled.