THE EPIDEMIC.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16403, 24 December 1918, Page 9

THE EPIDEMIC.

REPORTS TO HOSPITAL BOARD,

DR. W. FOX OX OF

PATIENTS.

Matters connected with the recent influenza epidemic: engaged much of the ■ of members at yestorday's meeting of the Hospital Board. The chairman (Mr F. Horrell) subtho following report:— V Since tho Board last met the whole of New Zealand has had a visitation of sickncss such as has never occurred before in tho history of the Dominion. It was evident during Show Week that Canterbury was to be no exception to the districts in the North Island which were at that time suffering heavily— the Chri&tchurch Hospital was filling rapidly with acute cases of a serious form of influenza. At the end of ti:o week it became necessary to use the nurses' lecture room for the accommodation of sick nurses. Un Monday, November 11th, the Hoard room had 'to be brought into use tor the same purpose, and further extensions had Jater to be made into tiio rooms of the dental department. It became evident if tne progress of the disease was to be stuveu that a would require the efforts ot the whole ot the community to stamp out the sickness that was already taking a heavy toll or tne population. It wa« unfortunate thai the peace celebrations so long looked forward to should have occurred just at the moment when it „was necessary to call to action tho activities of aiJ local bodies and others to grapple with an enemy, it" anything, moie deadly than tho war that had Oeon waged lor so many years. Fortunately as soon as the peace celebrations were over and it was possible, hundreds of pcopie throughout Canterbury responded to the call to service. In Clu istchurch Nurse Maude, with her usual great-heaitedness, responded to tho request to load the campaign in Christchurch and suburbs, and ther«» is no doubt that her influence and guidance was felt throughout tho North Canterbury district. Although but Just recovered lrom illness, she\ threw erself into the fight in such manner that she v/as an example to,every man and woman in the community, and It must be said that they rallied to her call in such numbers and with such spirit that victory was not long delayed. It could safely be said that in less than three weeks the battle had been completely won. No effort was spared. The Board co-operated to its fullest extent with the District Health Officer and his "Worship the Mayor of Christchurch in the campaign, every effort being used and no expense spared. The Health Department undoubtedly carried out its duties splendidly, and al-j though the edicts issued very materi-j ally interfered with business, yet there j is no doubt they had a very powerful influence in the right direction, and at this stage I should like to add my meed of praise to the efforts of Dr. Chcsson, who guides the destiny ol' the Health Department in this district. The activities of the Board wero not by any means confined to the Christ- i church district, but they extended, aid- j ed by the local authorities and thei members of the Board, into even the i irosfc remote parts of the North Can-]

terbitry Hospital district

Temporary

hospitals sprang up in a night, and y equipment had to be found for them at short notice, but, everybody working with a will, and it is right to say that for once the impossible was achieved. Hospitals were established, at Amberley and Amuri (without any assistance from tho Board), Akaroa, Cheviot, • !>rKaiapoi>. Lyttelton, Rangiora, Oxford, • and Waikari,: The Royal Jlptel was requisitioned as art auxiliary to tho !■ Christchurch Hospital, and the Trot•\ting Grounds at Addington were generously offered by the Trotting Club for use as a supplementary hospital. t All of thq institutions in the country districts were dependent upon the ener- . gies of the local authorities and people, tho Board assisting where possible by finding nurses and equipment, but in every case I cannot speak too highly _ of spirit and courago which prompted tho local people tn volunteer and grapple with grim death. Over and above the establishment of hospitals, committees were foi mod practically throughout the whole, of the* North Canterbury district for the purpose of the various homes, and ascertaining where cases of sickness existed, and assistance was given in the way of nourishing foods, nursing, or medical attendance. No cawxj wore knowingly neglected. The task would indeed have bceu a formidable one had it been left to the official world to have dealt with the troublo. Gifts of money and supplies of all kinds poured in from every direction, aqd although the actual cost to the public chpst v- ill be very considerable, yet it will*be infinitesimal to what it would have been had not those of the community who were .aolb given with both hands. _ Tho Government hae intimated its intention of bearing the whole burden of the legitimate expenditure of combating the disease, but . ! this was not known at tho inception of the campaign, and the Board, as the local authority for the wholo of the North Canterbury Hospital district, was apparently committed to the ex- ; penditiue of a. huge sum of money. No j matter what the expense might hare been, I am sure from the spirit shown in the campaign that the North Canterbury ratepayers would not hare grudged tho expense, even though it had been a charge an the local rates. !At the present moment I am unable to tell members what the cost in North .Canterbury will be, as comparatively few accounts have come to hand.

The Government is also arranging to tmdeitako the \:are of those families where one or both parents hare been taken, and I think that the thanks of the community are due to the Minister of Public Health and the Government for the decision arrived at. The whole action taken on the Board's behalf "was unauthorised and I must ask th 6 Board formally to approve the steps that were taken. I know that you are all agreed that a calamity such as that which cam© upon us could not he defeated by pacing resolutions. I would tfko to say that in the ordinary course of things criticism, no doubt. , has a beneficial effect, hut I cannot but regret that even before the strain of the contest was off there was a tendency on the part of certain persons to come out from behind the fence and cmiciso the actions of those who had striven to the full extent of their powers. That mistakes occurred 16 not to he wondered at. The only marvel is that, in the rnslv and turmoil of the first fortnight the mistakes were of such a minor character.

In conclusion, I desiro to sincerely thank all those who assisted in the campaign either by service or by donations of goods, and I do not wish to differentiate between those who wore paid and those who were unpaid. It is impossible to make special mention of individuals, who all helped to the full extent of their ability. Professional men, clergymen, persons of all stations in life, end all classes of opinion, rubbed shoulders., and in many instances wore fovnd performing with, all cheerfulness tasks which I suppose they had never been called upon to perform before. "With reference to the Board's permanent staff, I can only express the greatest admiration and appreciation of the courage and demotion displayed. "Working and watching—not knowing who would be next attacked by the unseen enemy—doctors, nurses, and others fought on in spite of their eadly thinning ranks. Of those who lost thwr

lives I can only offer my mofct sincere sympathy to the bereaved'relatives. I wish to make special mention of the officers attached to tho Orthopaedic Unit, who, when need arose, threw themselves into the fight with true military ardour. Colonel Wylic, when T)r Fox went down, immediately took the reins, and performed yeoman service when the epidemic wae at its height. The following .statement shows the number of cases of influenza dealt with in the various hospitals from November 10th:— Christchurch Hospital ... ... Oil Jloyal Hotel Hospital ... 103 Akaroa Hospital ... ... -10 Ambprley Hospital (voluntary) ... 27 Amuri Hospital (no figures available) — Cheviot Hospital ... ... 20 Kaiapoi Hospital ... ... 50 Kaikoura Hospital ... ... 1" [ Lvttelton Hospital ... 82 I Oxford Hospital ... ... 34 Rangiora Hospital ... ... 30 Waikari Hospital ... ... •"> .Si. Margaret's College (voluntary) 33 ! 1102 Homes for Children— i Mrs Pvne's house ... 97 Canterbury College Hcstel ... 40 ' 137 Mr Horrell added that the Metropolitan Trotting Club had generously given the use of the -pavilion on its grounds for an auxiliary hospital, and thev Christchurch Gas Company had generously come to the Board's" aid by providing gas stoves and other fittings: the newspapers had also given their help. Mr R. Evans spoke in eulogistic terms of the assistance rendered by the Board and its officers in combatting the epidemic in the Waikari district. Mr H. B. Sorenscn referred to the cooperation of all classes in the community as one of the mc&t wonderful things lie had ever seen. The report was received. CRITICISMS ANSWERED. Dr. Walter Fox. medical superintendent. submitted the following repott:— I feel insufficiently endowed with the powers of expression" to adequately convey to the members of your Board a, graphic statement of the tragic events that have been so rapidly crammed into the endeavours during tho month of November. I will attempt, however, to depict the progress of happenings as they occurred more or less Jn sequence, so that you may have some mental picture, perhaps deficient in colouring, of the suffering and distress oi' the public who, with little warning, came npon us like a deluge and flooded us to overflowing with patients mostly dying or in a dangerous condition, dur'PP '" le .first fortnight "of the epidemic. Alxrut November 7th to Bth. local indications of the coming invasion were in the air.

# It became evident to rue that extensive accommodation would have to be found to house the serious cases that plight come in. I may say, however, that it is not part of iny responsibility to accommodation for infectious or contagions diseases, but this I did, knowing that the Board is the health j authority for the North Canterbury district. Despite this fact, T took tho onus of finding accommodation for the i severe cases that undoubtedly would present themselves. After consultation with Miss Muir and Mr Sorensen, I prothat we should visit Burwood Hospital to ascertain what accommodation might bo available there. This visit took place on Saturday, November 9th. On returning to the hospital, and further thinking out the possibilities, I i decided that it would be a mistake to | divide the nursing staff between Burwood and this hospital, for alreadv the nursing and medical staff had been deI P'-fted br illness since early in October, This being our conclusion', all our resources were concentrated to find as much bed space as possible at the Christchurch- Hospital. With this object, we evacuated our diphtheria cases, also some medical cases to Burwood. We stopped air surgical work that was not urgent, and urged all others under medi- ? treatment to return to their homes. In this manner the resources of the whole Hospital, with the exception of two wards, and one jHloojited for soldiers, were made available onlv for severe cases.' Wo asked that we 'be allowed to completely control Burwood, and so this institution was added to the list of our responsibilities, which, you will follow, became more and more burdensome, until with a 50 per cent, depleted staff We were ultimatelv in charge of tho Christchurch Hospital with a daily average of severe and acute cases totalling 367, with the control and visiting of Burwood, with a supervising interest in the Royal Hotel Hospiral. and a direct controlling interest in the Trotting Grounds Con- i ralescent Camp. Previous to November 9th, and as; early as the first wec-k of October, only j pure influenza oases were noted, and : these gave one no concern. It was not i until November 9th, as far as the Hos- j pital is concerned, that the typo of cases was suddenly and entirely altered in character and severity. It was then evident that a virulent infection had suddenly been brought into our piidst, and was grappling us in death grips. From November 6th to November 27th the wavo flow was fuil, and attained its maximum height on the 20th, when 54 new cases wero admitted to Hospital. From November 20th onwards the incidence of the complaint rapidly waned. During this period between thei9th to the 20th, no word picture of mine can give ant conception of the alarming state of severity of the cases brought into tho Hospital; many of them had death written largely oft their j faces, and only lived short periods after [ admission. Many others had feeble chances arid, lingered for varied perigds. The mortality rate has been high all j or'cr the world. Investigation made during this epidomic by I>r. Pearson,! ojar' bacteriologist, point to the differentiation of the following types:—. j

(1) Pnre infltlenza without other infection.

(2) Influenza plus infection by pneumococcal germs, causing pneumonia. (3) Influenza and pneumococcal and streptococcal and staphylococcal infection. This was the class where the death late was alarmingly high, the clinical features being a pneumonia of a septic type accompanied by a septicaemia or blood poisoning. Such types, as can well be imagined, wero hopeless, and many of them were living corpses when they arrived, overwhelmed as they were with blood poisoning. Class 2 wero the ordinary pneumonia Salients, severely ill, showing the usual eary mortality. At the height of the epidemic we had 346 influenza, pneumonia, and septic cases in the Hospital, other patients bringing the total to 367. . The stress on the staff was colossal, and 1 am very sorry to believe that many of our armchair critics lacked even the modicum of imagination to realise under what exceptional circumstances the Hospital was placed. It is well to remember that at the outset of the epidemic the Hospital toot upon itself only to deal with seriously and dangerously ill eases, and that few than those were admitted.

The number of cases dealt with, and their character, has to bo recollected in valuing the services of the faithful workers who kept vigil and did their best. It will lead to no useful purpose oven, if it were thought necessary to cisarm our caluminous critics if I could graphically describe the condition of a ward that filled up in 24 hours with men who, in health, were fine specimens Of physical manhood, who were now mostly fighting with death. This particular time I came on duty at 4 in the morning, and as I walked round the ward it was evident that at least a third would not recover. Nearly every man was delirious, muttering and chattering, and trying to get out of bod, and owing to the septicity of the cases despite free ventilation, the very atmosphere smelt of the foe that man was fighting, such was the severity of the cases admitted to this ward. And all other wards were more or less in this

condition. > Such sights none of us wish to see again.

One oi the newspaper critics stated that the Hospital was » shambles, thereby attempting to prejudice the fair name of this institution, and the women and men who struggled during long days and almost endless nights with patients who, at the outset, were doomed to death owing to the severity of their disease. It is needless to deny, however, that had nnv patients as seriously ill como into Hospital in normal times they would have had a special nurse put in charge of them, and indiyiJunl and concentrated efforts would, in consequence, have saved some. When I go on to state the agonies of the staff, it will lie admitted that it is no impeachment on our efforts, that concentrated and individual attention was, under the circumstances, not possible. It has been stated that the institution was a shambles, in other words, that those in authority through cortain acts, are murderers. Sir, the manner of expression made through a public Press is damaging to the good name of this institution, and to those of us who have given unstinted of our time, our health, our best, ana some their lives in fighting the fiery ordeal of the past few weeks. On the other hand when people with unbridled tongues, with no authority, or nasi or present reputation, make slanderous statements about those in public positions, I suppose one must bear the insult as a burden of one's position. N

The statement lh>tt the Hospital hns been made a shambles owing to the method of removing clothing from patients when they are admitted requires an explanation to yon. Firstly, let me explain that the old idea as to the cause of pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs (:md it is still a popular belief) is that if you sit in a draught or otherwise get chilled, that you will contract pneumonia. "What really happens—and we will talce the present epidemic as an illustration—is: In this case a large influx of infected people arrived here from the North, and owing to insufficient accommodation, I have no doubt, numbers of these people were crammed into, and slept in one room, with the windows probably closed, and ventilation poisonous. The real cause of the pneumonia was the inhalation or breathing of an atmosphere laden with various specific germs well known, and that can be isolated, as the cause of the disease. Had these people been exposed to chill or other circumstances that lowered their resistive value undoubtedly they became more susceptible. Every modern hospital is freely ventilated, has an abundance of sunlight admitted to the wards, and the atmosphere is lieated. Knowing the varied habits of a community as to articles of underclothing, it would be impossible to keep a large hospital sweet, in our conception of the word, unless'a uniform ruin as to people's underclothing was enforced. Some people believe in wearing a cholera binder, a chest protector, two singlets, and a thick woollen shirt. The. washing day does not even comc once a week. There are all degrees from this to the airy night costumes made of the finest linen frequently worn by our female patients. The same varied ideas exist as to bathing.

Our procedure, and that of all modern hospitals who must, for the protection oi' all, have an p.vo to personal as well as general hygiene, is that all personal clothing, on admission of a patient, is collected, returned tp the friends or stored. Hospital clothing is supplied in the shape of a cotton night-dress, and a sufficiency of blankets. The patient is bathed or sponged according to his condition. The stripping of patients of their own clothing, which is generally in excess,, and the danger of a chill is mitigated by the elaborate methods of heating our buildings. Nothing is more difficult than combating a popular prejudice, and nothing is easier than to gain notoriety and popularity, than by tickling and fanning a popular idea. I may state in support of the honesty of our methods, that, although nearly every member of the staff has boon laid up, some mildly, others severely, and others have died, and in no case, so far as I am. aware, was a member of the staff supplied with a pneumonia jacket. Only a single bed garment was worn, and the patients were nursed in rooms heated similarly to our wards.

During October we had 16 nurses-off duty from illness. From November 13th to 24fch wo had 77 nurses off duty, leaving 60 nurses available; of these 17 were on duty outside, an<] 6 away on leave. Wo had therefore only 33 nurses during the height of the epidemic to Jook after a daily average of 316 to 367 patients in the Christchurch Hospital, all seriously ill; whereas a ward staff of 92 would have been available in normal times for a daily average of 270 to 280 patients. Sixty nurses escaped infection out of 137. Had it not been for tho devoted services of a number of licroic men and women who freely offered and gave their time, in all sortß of capacities, the community would have been poorer by the loss of many moro lives. To those noble women and men who gave us tlicir kindly support wc offer our heartfelt thanks. . Nurses by instinct, with ail the sympathy and kindly touches that grace a sick-room, to all of them, the public artd our staff owe an unredeemable debt.

Earjy in the epidomic three out of five of the resident medical staff went down. Dr. Short, lam sorry to say, died. Dr. Will remained dangerously ill for a long time, but is now convalescent. Thesei were our two senior qualified residents. However, owing to the good offices of Colonel Wylie, who personally and with the aid of two of his medical officers, filled my place anji those of the two residents who were ill, the work was kept going. To Colonel Wylie and his staff our thanks are due. Without his help and his knowledge of dealing with largo numbers the hospital work might easily have bffcomc much more disorganised. During the middle of the epidemic, Miss Muir became a victim, and this further disorganised matters.

Such is the story, of our experience of the epidcmic. That tragic incidents have happened, no one knows better than I, and I'grieve and-offer my heartfelt sympathy to those who } uffered "by bereavement as a result of the ravages of the disease, to those n) «o have suffered, in mind owing to the failure of the formalities and conrtosies due to them in trouble and distress, those I trust iyill appreciate the aaonies of the staff, and that a ship with a scratch crew cannot be navigated v.ith the same precision as when properly manned, especially as far as the details are concerned. The hospital work' <t;nnot immediately resume its normal course. The whole building lias to be cleaned, and the staff requires consideration a lid rest. It must be remembered that those in authority have been working under stressful conditions during the whole of the war period. The Hon. R. Moore, M.L.C., morea; "That the report from the medical superintendent - be received, the Board considering such report as satisfactory." Mr H. J. Otlev seconded "the motion, which was agreed to.

LADY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. Miss Muir, acting-lady superintendent, reported: Owing to a very large proportion of the nursing staff contracting influenza and the remainder in consequence working longer hours, mav I suggest that the committee grant seven days' extra leave to each member of the staff, the leave to be given at such timo as can conveniently be arranged. To enable me to cany ou& the above suggestion, the daily average of patients must be considerably lower than normal. Of the number of nurses ill, two made the supremo sacrifice. Staff-tNurse Grace Beswiek and Nurse ililda. Hooker. During the height of the epidemic a great number of voluntary workers, memat-rs or St. John Ambulance, and Red Cross organisations. Sisters of and

ministers of religion and members of others, both men and women, came to our assistance. In thanking them I cannot speak too highly or the willing service given, not only assisting to nurse the sick, but in many other capacities during a most trying period. The report was adopted. The chairman (Mr F. Horrell) moved, and Mrs Wilson seconded: "That the Board convey its condolences to tHe relatives of Dr. Short, _ Staff-Nurse Grace Beswick, and Nurse Hilda Hooker. The motion was agreed to. A COUNTY COUNCIL'S COMPLAINT. The Wairewa County Council wrote at some length complaining that influenza patients had been refused admission to the Akaroa hospital. A telegram from the medical man in. charge was read, stating that there had been no refusal of admittance to patients, and asking for details of the complaint. It was decided to reply to the Wairewa County Council that the Board had investigated the matter, but in the absence of a specific charge, or names, it could not at present go further with the matter. '•A REGRETABLTC INCIDENT." There was before members lengthy correspondence from the Canterbury Automobile Association, from Messrs Johnston, Mills, and Joyce (solicitors), and from Mr W. M. Tyers and a report fronj the Board's secretary with respo-t to an incident which happened on November 25th at tho Central Depot; (in charge of Nurse Maude), when, it was alleged, Mr Tyers had turned out of the depot Mr Arthur Rose, licensee of the Cafe de Paris Hotel, and a very energetic epidemic worker. Mr Tyers, who had been appointed by Mr Wharton, secretary of the Board, to represent him (Mr Wharton) at tho depot 4 hud Ix'en written to by Messrs Johnston, Mills, and Joyce, and asked to make a public apology, failing which thejjr were instructed to commence an action in the Supreme Court for damages. The chairman (Mr F. Horrell) moved: '£fhat the correspondence be received and lie 011 the table." He expressed the opinion that the matter was one between the two gentlemen mentioned: whatever the Board might say it would he offensive to one or the other, and both had been good workers. Mr R. Evans seconded tho motion. Ultimately, after several members had referred to the incidont as most regrettable, it was decided, 011 the motion of Mr W. Nicholls, seconded tjy Mr F. G. Norton, that a committee consisting of Messrs F. Horrell, H. B. Sorensen, H. J. Otlev, and the Hon. R. Moore M.L.C.. should enquire into the matter and endeavour to act as peacemakers between the two gentle' men concerned. The motion was agreed to bv 10 rotes to 7. SECOND WAVE FEARED. A letter was read from ' Dr. rf. Chessori, District Health Officer, suggesting that a temporary hospital should be kept available so that the Board would be prepared in the event of a second wave of the epidemic being experienced. It was suggested that the temporary hospital in the Metropolitan Trotting Club's kiosk should be kept in readiness. The secretary (Mr W. S. Wharton) said that when the letter was received on Saturday morning tho dismantling of the hospital in the trotting grounds had been almost completed; tho fittings had not, however, been removed.' He understood that the Trotting Club would not be using the grounds till about Easter time. On the motion of Mr H. B. Sorensen, it was decidcd to write to tile Metrcpolitan Trotting Club and ask it to allow the fittings to remain in the meantime. It was further decided •that tmo question of retaining temporarily certain auxiliary hospitals be left in the hands of Messrs Horrell and Sorensen, and the secretary of the Board and the chairman of the local body, interested in" the particular auxiliary hospital. S AT THE SANATORIUM. In the course of his report to the Board regarding the outbreak of the influenza epidemic at the Consumption Sanatorium, Dr. G. J. Blackoiorc I

Immediately on the outbreak taking place a splendid spirit of mutual help and co-operation at once developed among the nurses, staff, and patients. Those who were well waited on those who were sick, and everyone capable of doing anything at all offered his or her services in any capacity whatever, and this iine spirit undoubtedly was the means of saving several fives in the institution. The work done by people in the place is quite beyond praise. We are much indebted to- Bishop Brodie, for sending us two Sisters, to Mrs Trelcaven for arranging for some V.A.D., woirkers, and, above all, to the outside workers themselves —Mies Paterson, Miss Adams, Miss Brock, Miss Goulstone. Miss Kempthorne, Miss Priest, Misses Wagborn (2), Mrs Lancaster, Sister Justification, and Sister Visitation. These ladies volunteered for any work, from nursing to scrubbing floors, and all rendered valuable assistance. Miss Paterson. Miss Adams, and Miss Goulstone worked throughout the epidemic, and Miss Paterson is still helping us. Mr Willett mo6t kindly volunteered to drive the van for several days to enable the carter to undertake tho ward work. Sister Brock interrupted her annual holiday in order to return and help us, and unfortunately contracted tho disease herself.

How tho Matron at times managed to get tho work done I do not know, but she did. it, and without any fuss. It could not possibly have been done, of course, without the willing help of the patients themselves. - When it is realised that in •normal times nil the patients who are well enough look after their own shelters, wash up their own dishes, and do many other odd jobs about the place, it will be seen what a tremendous strain was thrown on those who remained well by so many patients suddenly falling ill, not only being unable to do the work they were accustomed to do, hut requiring constant attention from ..others. We are indebted to the Red Cross for dainties sent up for the sick, and to the Automobile Association for freouently placing a motor-car at our disposal. I regret to say that two patients died. One had had serious heart disease for ten yeare, and tuberculosis for eight years.

HOSPITAL BULLETIN. Following are the hospital returns iweived yesterday by the local Health Office, covoring the period from midnight on Friday to midnight on Sunday : — | .5 '?? "* -5 rS 53 £ rt g »"3 O O < (5 x Chriftchnrch Hospital ... 29 Ashburton Coanty Hospital — — * Timaru Hospital ... 2 — 9 Waimato Hospital ... — — 2o Westport Hospital ... 1 — Jj O'Connor Home Aux. ... — ■ 4 Dsnnicton Hospital ... 3 lDenniston Aux. ... 2 — 23 Denniston School Aux.... 4 ~r -z Roefton Hospital ... — *? Waiuia Hospital t. Hokitika Hospital .... — — •> The Methven and Waikan Hospitals are closcd. XO 3IORE CASES IX WELLINGTON. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 23. The S«Pcri lllo7l dent of tbo Wellington Hospital stated to-day: "We have -done with influenza, unless we get a recrudescence. There have been no admissions of fresh cases for two or three davs, and there aro now only nino patients in the influenza ward. It ss hoped to liavc those nine discharged or transferred to the main Hospital within a few days." /

THE MORTALITY FIGURES. (SPECIAL TO "TUB TRESS.") WELLINGTON, December 23. Tho Minister of Public Health bas been scolded by Rome people for having given our; wrong figures regarding, the deaths by the epidemic. lie has been accused of '' cam on tl aging' 1 the truth about the mortality. The Minister, referring to this subject to-day, said that ho iiad given out tbo only olheial figures in his possession. "How can I," he said, "give out any figures other than those supplied to me by the Registrar-General?" CASES AT STEWART ISLAND. Several cases of influenza have been reported from Stewart Island, and last week two patients, who were suffering more severely than the others, were brought to 13luff by the tug and admitted to hospital. Every summer large numbers of people aro attracted to the island to spend their holidays, but the knowledge that the influenza has broken out there will probably influence many to go elsewhere. There is no doctor at Stewart Island, and if tho disease became very prevalent the consequences might be serious. GERMANS DISTRIBUTE GERMS. (By Cabl».—Pre«s A»aoei»li<m.—Copyright) SYDNEY, December 23. A local resident lias received a private letter from America stating that it is commonly believed that tho Germans distributed tho influenza germs. Two Germans, disguised as nuns, were caught in the act. Two others, dressed in women's clothes, were caught in a train shaving. A supply of germs were found among their effects. 14,000 ESKIMO VICTIMS. (Rcater'a T«]egraai».) (Received December 23rd, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 20. Advices from Capo Nome state that 14,000 Eskimo are suffering from Spanish influenza. The adults in many villages have been wiped out.