BURNHAM CAMP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 24, 8 November 1939, Page 2

BURNHAM CAMP.

NORMAL AMOUNT OF SICKNESS. MILD TYPE OH INFLUENZA. (Per Press Association).CHRISTCHURCH, November 7. Bottle Lake and the Christchurch Public Hospital at present include among their patients men from the Special Force at Burnham. These men have been sent on from the camp hospital at Burnham as a matter of routine for further examination and attention. Military authorities regard the number reporting sick at the camp as quite normal, heavily discounting rumours' of an epidemic of influenza. It was said to-day that the number reporting sick amounted to about 5 per cent, of the men in camp and this number is not expected to decrease greatly, in most cases, only minor ailments. Military District Headquarters today issued the following table showing the number of men reporting sick and their disposal on Saturday, Sunday, and yesterday. Sat. Sun. Mon. Reported sick ... 133 122 127 Sent to camp hospital 11 17 0 Total in camp hospital 40 38 31 iSens to Christchurch Hospital . 3 15- 16 It was emphasised that the total reporting sick included all minor complaints such as blistered heels, bruises, and abrasions. Anyone suffering any injury, however slight, was required to paraded sick, so that the injury could be recorded and if necessary attended to. The influenza, at the camp was of a mild type, it was stated, and the number of patients wriK"" decreasing steadily. (Most cases had occurred in units which were accommodated in tents, and one unit yesterday reported that there were no cases. The total number of men in the camp yesterday was 2262, and the number of men reporting sick was re- / garded as normal. There had been no deaths in the camp.