THE SMALL-POX SCARE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4440, 8 August 1884, Page 3

THE SMALL-POX SCARE.

Fumigating and Cleansing tho Waihora,

Dr. I-iiilron, Medical Olliccr of Health, has given full and detailed instructions for cleansing and fumigating tho steamer at the Quarantine Station, so that all danger of infection may bo removed. These instructions embrace tho following :-Ist.

Brimstone fumigation of every apartment in the vessel for 24 hour..; tho berths and compartments occupied by tho crew to bo specially attended to. 'md. Scrubbing with carbolic acid wator throughout the entire ship, and tho free use of chloride of lime. 3rd. All clothing and bedding on tho ship to be thoroughly washed and fumigated. 4th. Daily inspection of the passengers nnd crew. sth. Vaccination and re-vaccination to bo carried out, especially among tho crew a.d children. These operations have.'some of them, been commenced, but Mr Mays, Superintendent of Quarantine, having now made all necessary arrangements, means to fulfil theso recommendations strictly and regularly. Dr. Howell has been nppointed medical adviser at the Quarantine Station, and is expected to start at his duties to-morrow (Saturday).

On tho Quarantine Island

everything is now in good order, and the great majority of the passengers havo landed and occupied their new quarters. Thero is n splendid supply of water, nnd tho work of six men has rendered the buildings most comfortable, clean, and healthy. Captain Edie, though much worried by the many demands made upon him, is keeping his " happy family " of prisoners in as good spirits ns possible ; and tho creature comforts supplied from Anokland help to make the lot of tho isolated passengors at least tolerable.

Recalcitrant Pnssorgcrs,

No littlo embarrassment and obstruction has arison through tho action of certain malcontents among tho saloon passengers, who refuse to lonvo tho steamer and go into tho loss attractive quarters on Motuihi. Tlio pretext for their nttitudo of rebellion against orders is that tho accommodation at tho quarantine station is not fit to bo used by ladies and children ; but therearo some whose only motive is said to bo selfish love of caso. It will roliovo tho minds of all to learn that stops aro in contemplation which will effectually quell tho incipient mutiny. Tho Superintendent of Quarantine has absolute powers t_ enforce tho regulations, and these powers ho intends to oxorciso immediately after tho medical man arrives. Tho cottage of tlio care-taker on tho island, which is comfortably furnished, will bo relinquished to tho ladies and children, thus removing any ground for disc.ntent on thoir behalf. If tho male passengers persist in remaining on board, in spite of the " firo and brimstone " torments in storo for them, not to speak of the added agony of carbolic acid and chloride of lime, the Superintendent of Quarantine may employ legal force to cjoct them, so that tlio cleansing of the steamer may be effectually carried out. Mr Mays again went down to the Quarantine Station this afternoon to superintend further arrangements for the comfort of passengers and crow.

Precautions In tho City.

His Worship the Mayor lias telegraphed to tho Mayor of Napior, thanking him for his forethought and courtesy in telegraphing to tho Council regarding tho landing of the smnll-pox patient at Napier, without which warning tho passengers per Waihora might have been landed hero. The Mayor has also consulted Ur. Stockwell, tho medical otliccr to the local Hoard of Health, asking him for suggestions to guido tho Board in tho event of disease breaking out here. Dr. Stockwell has sent the following memo, i —"August 7, 1884, Memo, regarding Henlth Act. —1. Provision of somo building as an hospital for eontagcous diseases. It need not bo very largo, but should be apart from dwelling.. It should bo provided as woll for tho surrounding districts as for tho city. 2. Also a means of removal of persons alllicted with contagious diseases to the hospital, such ns a cab.expressly kept for that purpose alone. (I hear Cousins nnd Atkin aro building an ambulance) 3. Tho publio should be informed, in every possible way, of tho great advantages of re-vaccination, and should bo urged to have this done without waiting for an outbreak of small-pox. The recent statement, regarding the perfect freedom from this disease of all officers and servants of the Small-pox Hospital in London, during a long period (I believe GO or 70 years), should be mado as public ns possible, as a proof of the efficacy of re-vacci-nation. L Tho provision of a large supply of vaccine lymph from the Government institution (in Wellington, I think). 5. The provision of a good supply of disinfectants, xind of bedding aud clctliing for any patients. G. Tho Hospital Committeo would be the body to take into consultation rcfarding tho hospital. — Wm. Stockwell, ~8;C.5., Edin. P.S.-I shall be ablo to undertake ro-vaccination of tho public, provided a suitable placo and assistance from Bttendants, to keep order and pas? the people on, in a few days.

{BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)