INFLUENZA.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 282, 27 November 1919, Page 7

INFLUENZA.

FEWER CASES TO-DAY. ORDINARY PRECAUTIONS ENUOINED. Speaking of the reported increase of influenza cases in the Auckland district, the Deputy-Mayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, this morning stated that he had been in " communication with* Dr. Monk, of the 'Health Department, who is keeping a j very close watch on the developments. 'The doctor reports to-day," said Mr. Entrican, "that the influenza is slackening off, and that today there were not so many cases. While he admits that there are some cases of a mild type in I the district, he is satisfied that had it !not been for last year's epidemic the present cases of influenza would never have been heard of. He adds that if people would only be careful in their clothing and guard against taking chills when sudden changes of temperature occur everything would be quite all right." Mr. Entrican added that the Health Department was fully alive to the posttion, and if there is any further development the proper measures will be taken both by the health authorities and by the City Council, supported by the Hospital Board and the St. John Ambulance Association. AUCKLAND DISTRICT REPORT. The health report for the twenty-four hours ending at twelve noon to-day shows that there are eleven cases in the district, nine being mild and two severe. They are distributed as follows:—City, 4 mild, 1 severe; Birkenhead, 2 mild; Northcote, 1 severe; Mt. Eden, I mildr Helensvilie, 2 mild.

DEATH OF A NURSE.

, QUESTION OF LIABILITY. CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Referring to the death of Nurse Ensor, Mr. G. W. Russell, speaking at Phillipstown last night, said that responsibiliby in the case of epidemics rested on the Hospital Board of the district? in which they occurred, nob with the Departmen» of Health. The insanitary conditions under Which Maorias lived in their kaingas caused the spread of th» disease in the North Island. While Minister of Health he had endeavoured to remedy this, and before leaving office he appointed Dr. Buck -medical officer to the Maoris in order that they should be properly looked after.

ILLNESS AMONGST NATIVES.

Reporting at yesterday's meeting of the Whakatane County Council, Cr. Win. Wardlaw, of Waimana, said two natives from Waimana Pa came to him the day before, and stated that two families at the Pa were very sick, and he thought" it was influenza. None of the natives '• would go near them. They also stated that a child had been sent home that same day from Waimana school, and this was also suspected as possibly a case of influenza. The Council agreed to immediately notify the health officer for the Bay of Plenty (Mr. H. H. Martindale).

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Discussing the influenza position with a "Dominion" reporter, the DistrictHealth Officer at Wellington (Dr. M. fi. Watt) stated that the increase in the number of influenza cases -was no doubt attributable to the changeable weather that had been experienced during the last two or three weeks. In this connection Dr. Watt threw out a warning that people should not discard their winterclothing too soon, because there was risk of contracting a chill owing to sudden changes in the temperature. The public .■would Ibe well advised, he said, to dress according to the climate and not to theseason of the year. "Out of the 62 cases of influenza reported," remarked Dr. Watt, "only six are pneumonic, and the 62 eases are pretty evenly distributed over the whole of the Wellington public health district.. •There is nothing to indicate the presence of an epidemic in any place. A total of 62 cases in a health districtwhere tho population numbers 400,000* is nothing alarming at all. The type of disease that we are getting at present is, generally speaking, very mild, and only a small proportion of the cases are pneumonic in natu>-. During the whole of the winter months there have been very few eases of pneumonia, and though there has been an occasional death, right through, there has been no increase in the fatalities. Of course, with a disease like influenza, precautions must be taken by the public. The Health Department is circulating a picture called T>r. Wise and Influenza,' and it is being exhibited in Wellington at the present time. This picture simply 6hows what precautions should be taken, both to prevent the onset of the disease and to guard against its spread. The Department is keeping a close watch on the position, and the strictest precaution is being taken in every case that comes under its notice."