PATIENTS REMOVED TO BOTTLE LAKE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11791, 14 January 1904, Page 5

PATIENTS REMOVED TO BOTTLE LAKE.

ALL CJONTAOIB ID BE ISOLAI-ED.

Alter a lengthy period, daring which the state of the public health in this city and district has appeared to be normal, the public have been startled by the annovac*meat that a caw of smallpox has been discovered, and the patient removed to the Infectious Diseases Hospital. The first public intimation oi the fact was contained in the report submitted at the special meeting of the Hospital Board yesterday morning, -which referred to the matter as "t suspicious case of probable waallpox." All suspicion and probability regarding the matter was set at rest yesterday mor» ing, when Dr. Mason, the Chief Health Officer, who arrived from Dunedin on Tuesday nighty inspected the patients, when he had no hesitation in describing the cases aa smallpox. The patient vho was on Tuesday removed to the Bottle Lake Hospital, is Mrs Grove, who resides at Marton, in the North Island. She came to this city about three weeks ago, and was atayingwitb a married sister, Mrs Ayrey, of Ollmer's read, Linwood. Soon after her arrival Mrs Grove visited another married sister, Mrs Smith, and it is understood that she suffered from a rash some weeks ago. The nature of the rash was not very clearly dellned, and the medical gentleman who attended Mrs Smith did not report the ease as one of smallpox to the health authorities. Upon the lady being carefully examined by the Chief 'Health Officer he advised her removal to Bottle Lake, and it is understood she will be taken there to-day. Iv the meantime she is being kept- isolated. It. is assumed that Mrs Smith contracted the complaint between November lOth an| 20th last, but no theory baa been formed as to how she did so. Mrs Grove is eupoosed to have caught the disease from Mi* Smith. The District Health Officer, after having Mrs Grove removed on Tuesday from Mrs Ayrey's, had a guard placed on the house, and on Dr. Mason's arrival reported the matter to. him, and he advised Sir Joseph Ward, Minister for Public Health. Dr. Mneon got into telephonio communication, with the Wellington Health authority after midnight the same day, and by .this means the Health Officer at Wellington was able to prevent the landing , of a contact who was en the Mararoa, who has been removed to quarantine at Some* Island. Bitween Tuesday night and yes-, terday afternoon Drs. M&wn and Finch saw all the other contorts, most of whom have been ordered to Bottle Lakt Hospital for isolation. Dr. Syinw was ratainea by the 'Health Department to vaccinate all thecontacts, and attend t» them, and visit them regularly. AH the < contacts"'have'"" been vaccinated. At seven o'clock yesterday morning Dr. Mason went to Bottle Lake, and examined Mrs Grove in order to bo quite certain that the case is one of. smallpox. Dr. Mason informed a reprer h.entative of "The Press" last night thai Mrs. Grove is suffering from a well-marked form of the disease. There is no Arngert.o her life, and. he had little doubt bu| Uiat she would recover. H* had advised, her husband as to her condition. In trif* , .; of the present etate of affaire, Dr. "Maeondid not leave for Wellington last night, M h-» intended, and he -proposes remaining ; in this city for some day*, lie will pro-,, bably spend most of his time at BottJ* Lake. The only known sonlact who ha* left this city was the passenger by the Mararoa, wjio wai quarantined at Wα* lington, yesterday." The houses occupied; by Mrs Ayrty. and Mm Smith we»V4i». infected vesterdsiy.. '' ' ':■■/'•■•■.■:■■ -'■:'':*,'.'.-. Tie hospital at Bottle teie,.-t6j?ettier with bell-tente already, «rect«4, & .eipafele, of holding abouJr thirty " contacts.'; Thtl health authorities have & larfce ' vtpo-:M bell-tents, which couM' m } :.ta** hospital grounds if ni^esmiy,• ficulty is anticipated in the matter of,fin4* ing' ■accommodation - 'flyt' different v fumigated ■ ■, and • .'i^BitjWi,^ respectively': ;io ' Chari«j.;; streelr: : HSir<»oe f , % Linwood. Sandyford etreet/ Sydenharlii Winter's road, Poputui, Sydenhetti.. ' . '; ':-■'■■'*'■ -S-:±>ffi? r : iss ■ A cato of smallpox hw_occurrWfJgr* chop in Ck>lcmibo the premises have JKwardjorfy b«aia>W*i3. ; ' ':Speaking ' tor&gp&lfc :'ts**sjism night, Dr., ■attthoritief were' Iwiily-;'«b covering contact oM eending theitt off <<> Bottle Lais?. Hβ does ;: not, there is onyrrtpajn for thb public to'jfe ftlanaed, for" : e^| ; jfcw<>."/ iclwlv «W«fS* smallpox liave besn foraid, and thcire reason to euppow tl»ti|iiw'futtKp: : ca*» will be" diKove^.fc^.^lhF^la^^fae^iei , the public to report I<> the Health Officer any case where :^: peorance. .-'■ ■ ; .' ' : - i^'S'.'-!.'. '■C'^^j'^'r-} ,^,^