EPIDEMIC SPREADING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 187, 7 August 1913, Page 7

EPIDEMIC SPREADING.

PARLIAMENT AlfD SMALLPOX TROUBLES. DEPARTMENTAL METHODS CRITICISED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A telegTam from Dr. Te Rangihiroa, MjP., showing that the outbreak of disease among Bay of Islands natives is spreading , was read in the Houee of Reprcsentativea this afternoon. The member for Bay «f Islands (Mr. Vernon Reed) also -had information from Kaikohe to similar effect, and that the medical and hwilth office.re were being "run off' tli-eir legs." fie wished to know what the Health Department was doing to restTiot the oufbreak.

.A similar request for a complete statement came from Mr. Arthur M. Myers, who said that Auckland people were very much concerned and uneasy over the situation. While certain efforts were being made there was a feeling that sufficient was not being done, having- regard to the importance of the matter. COLOUR DIFFERENTIATION. The Hon. A. T. Xgaia stated that he received a telegram from Dr. Buck, who wae working in North Auckland, to the effect that the epidemic -was getting worse. It, wae the same to the eonth of Aur-kland. Ilanlly a village from Taumarunui tn Frankton was clear of the disease. Apparently the type of disease wae more virulent. It wa« not hie place as n native representative to raise the

colour question; it was unfortunate that the disease bad attacked Maoris more frequently than Europeans, and he had no objection to take to the regulation of their movements, but h? tonk exception to the way in which discrimination I was exercised in regard to vaccination. He was assured by Mr. Hay (chairman of the Takittunu "Maori Land Board) that out. of a thou&and tubes Dr. Wirop.i. who was working in a Maori centre, only received one tube. The Hospital Board wars vaccinating- Europeans firet and interfering with the movements of Maoris, though they were not being vaccinated. He urged that there was the greatest need to vaccinate the peTsone most susceptible. ALLEGATION AGALNRT A DOCTOR Mr. Vigor 'Drown read a communication he had received, alleging that a doctor would not visit a Maori settlement in Taupo district because there were only twenty natives nnvaccinated and it would not pay hrm to go. The member for Grey Lynn (Mr. Payne) asked if rumour was correct in asserting that two Auc-klandere had lost arms through vaccination. ■Mr. Isitt stated that the Health Department ought to explain its working , principles. What on earth was the good of allowing Maoris to leave infected districts 6imply because they were vaccinated, when infection could be carried in clothes. newepa-peTs, or banknotes.

"The doctors of this country are trying to create a great eoare," declared Mr. Glover, who added that he had heard nothing about smallpox during a visit to Auckland last week. LYMPH PRIVATELY iIADE. Mr. Russell asked the Minister if lie could say what steps were being taken to guarantee the purity of lymph which was being prepared privateiy by some North Auckland practitionere. Mr. Witty asked for an authoritative statement whether the disease was smallpox or severe chicken-pox. 'Members: There is no doubt: see the photographs. "Medimil men do not agree," replied Mr. Witty, who argued that people ought not to -be scared if there was no reason. THE MINISTER'S REPLY. The 'Minister of Health eaid he did not think members were warranted in mentioning nimours which lacked confirmation. He had received the following telegram from Dr. Te Rangihiro-a, M.P?, dated Kaikohe, 6th July; "Ajn afraid outbreak very eerioua. Danger spreading northward. Europeans alarmed. Advice responsible officer visit district." The Ron. Mr. Rhodes added that Dγ Valintine (Chief Health Officer) was to visit the dipirict immediately. He (the Minister) realised that the outbreak ( •was serious and the Department wished to take every possible step to prevent its spread. The Htatement about a Taupo doctor was mere rumour. Medical men were all giving the Department every assistance. It -wae untrue that Maoris could travel out of infected districts just because they were vaccinated, and it was also untrue that lymph was short in supply. According to the law a fine of £10 could be imprerd on persons who attempted vaccination with lymph not supplied by t*e Government." As for the question: ''Is it smallpox?" he would reply: "How on earth can I tell if doctors disagree?" Whatever it -was, the disease was loathsome, and it wee highly undesirable that it should be allowed to spread. Doctors, in Auckland who had had charge of smallpox hwsprtale were of opinion that the disease was correct!v diagnosed.