THE EPIDEMIC.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 67, 19 March 1919, Page 4

THE EPIDEMIC.

ANOTHER OUTBREAK FEARED. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. (By Telegtsp-J.—Press association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Board of Pub"c Health held its initial meeting to-day. Th« Hon. G. W. Russell said it was not intended on the present occasion to deal with the general duties imposed upon the Board, but rather to discuss the possibility of a re'erudescenee of influenza and steps to 'deal with any further outbreak. He de- ' aired to point out, without being an alarmist, that notifications of influenza were indicating a steady increase throughout the Dominion. A large majority of the cases were of a mild character, and the number of serious cases was very small. The Minister placed before the meeting a series of (questions for consideration dealing with quarantine of ships, and the existence of sufficient accommodation in the main icentres for concentration of infected J patients in the event of a recXidescence. These questions were fully discussed by the Board and decisions reached.

WAIKATO PRECAUTIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, Tuesday. A meeting of citizens held to-day to organise in the event of a recrudescence of the influenza epidemic, decided to accept the offer by the Defence Department of the barracks for a hoepital, and to arrange for the Oddfellows' Hall to be used as a subsidiary hospital. A list of persons willing to lend iron bedsteads is to be obtained, and it was decided to advertise for those willing to lend or hire hospital utensils if required. Those willing to act as helpers Are to be asked to send in their names, and intimate whether they require payment or not. Owners of motor cars are to be asked for the u-e of their cars on the understanding that petrol will be supplied free, and damage made good. The committee that acted "previously was re-elected, with power to add to its number, and wae instructed to ask the Health Department what it was doing in regard to providing articles required by patients.

It was decided to *sk the Health Department to have a supply of masks manufactured and kept in readiness. The question of appointing a house manager and assistant was left to the executive.