SMALIPOX ON BOARD THE ORIENT.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11347, 9 August 1902, Page 8

SMALIPOX ON BOARD THE ORIENT.

The jpublio will learn with great regret, and possibly some uneasiness, that a case of smallpox has been discovered on board the Orient, and that the vessel and all on board have been put in quarantine in Wellington. It is fortunate that we have a live Health Department in existence, with so energetic an official as Dr. Mason at the head of it. The public may rest assured that no effort will be spared to prevent the dreaded disease from getting a, footing in the colony. Some uneasiness will natura% centre on the troopers who have been allowed to go to their homes from the Orient- It should l be borne in mind, however, that if the steamer had berthed in any English port, with a case of smalpox on boanS, no attempt would be made to detain any of the passengers in quarantine unless itihey were actually suffering from the disease. They would have beem allowed to go ashoro osi condition that they undertook to report themselves to the local officers of health at stated intervals, until the period of incubation had passed. Directly anyone of these showed signs of having catgrht the disease he would .be promptly isolated a_td treated, and in this way there is not much difficulty m keeping .the outbreak within bounds. The New Zealand Government; however, are determh.ed to take no risks tfhat cr.n ba avoided in a matter of such vital importance to the colony. Hitherto smalpox has never been allowed to obtain a lodgment in these islands, and it is, of course, .esirable to keep it out at all hazards. With this object in view, instructions wiH be issued for all officers, nc_HX>n__issioned officers, and troopers who arrived by the Orient, to report themselves at once to the Defence Office, co that they may be put into camp, and isolated, until all danger of infection is past. Both the men and their friends must see that it is to their welfare, as weJE as for the protection of the community, that this precaution should be adopted, unpleasant a3 it must be for them to be separated again so soon. We hope, therefore, that they will cheerfully co-operate with the Government by prompt obedience to the order. But there is no need of anything approaching panic. Even if some mischief has already been done, and other cases should develop, it ought to be possible, by »pTompi and strict isolation, to prevent them ironspreading among the general population. It is not unlikely that there will ba something like a rush for vaccination, and it is to be hoped that the Government wll __. to a good supply of calf lymph being ready to meet reqairements-