INFLUENZA.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17814, 13 July 1923, Page 8

INFLUENZA.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. Regarding the present position in respectTof influenza and pneumonia, especially pneumonia, the Medical Officer of Health stated yesterday:— Conditions are still serious, and will be for some time, and 1 cannot express too strongly on the pubJo tue necessity tor exercising the fullest precautions in going out alter sundown. Those recently recovered from influenza, by deliberately disobeying those instructions, are courting their own disaster. It the weather continues as at present, I don't think that we can look for any marked improvement m respect of cases of pneumonia. Borne of these cases are cases where pneumonia has supervened at a later date after influenza had confined the sufferers to the house. Since 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday till the same hour yesterday, 6 cases . of pneumonio influenza (4 in the city, I each at Fendalton (Waimairi County), and at New Brighton, have been reported. Six cases of pneumonia wetfi reported during'the same period (3 in the city, 1 each at Riccarton, Harewood, and Arinat). No deaths were reported from pneumonia or from pneumonic influenza in the same period. Referring to the letter, signed "E'VIH " which appeared in yesterday's issue of -'The Press," Dr. l'eliord said: "Simple influenza will get well of itself if the patient stays at home, takes simple diet, and keeps warm in bed. It is no good advocating a particular article such as Coutt s acetio acid merely because a child did get well on two occasions. 'I may say that this would have absolutely, no efficacy in effecting a cure in a case with definite chest conditions. Another point is that, being an acid ? it acta as a counter-irritant, and gives rise to sensations of discomfort arising from such treatment. The reaction is in the nature of a burn, the skin turning brown and exfoliating, or stripping off, afterwards. If, in the course of application, some of this acid were accidentally dropped in the patient's eye, it would cause more harm than the remedy justifies. Because there is no one remedy that absolutely controls influenza is the reason why bo many individual preparations are vaunted as cure-alls." Regarding "Clean Sweep's" letter, Dr. Telford remarked that if the civio authorities were doing their duty as they ought, there should be _ no special clean-up in the city required. At the Christchurch Hospital thirteen of the nurses are laid up with influenza ; the staff at present numbers 110. Four members of the office staff are absent owing to influenza. The secretary, Mr W. S. Wharton, who has been away for a few dayß, has resumed duty. The Medical Superintendent (Dr. W. Fox) reports that there are in the hospital at present 80 patients suffering from pneumonic influenza or pneumonia; all are gete ting on fairly well. Visitors to the Hospital are only allowed if they want to see patients who are seriously ill. Mr L. Hardie, l City Chief Inspector, stated yesterday that assistance had been sent to nine families the members of which were stricken with ordinary influenza. POSITION IN THE SOUTH. (PBKS3 fSSOCtmcir TELUGBMC ) DTJNEDIN, July 12. The Health Officer received nine notifications of pneumonic influenza this mornin". five from Otago, three from Southland, and one from Wallace. Dr. T. McKibbin states there is nothing alarming. The contacts are being inoculated to prevent pneumonio complication*. REPORT FROM SOUTHLAND. (SPJSCUL TO "TSH FUSS.") INVEIWARjEtLLL, July 12. While the position locally in regard to influenza showed considerable ,improvement towards the end of last week, the epidemic appeara to have taken a fresh lease of life, and a great number" of cases continue to be report-, od. Many business films are very shorts staffed, and in one or two instances are finding it difficult to carry on. The later cases appear to be slightly severer in type than iri the earlier stage of the epidemic, although the percentage oi pneumonic cases remains fairly low. A number of those contracted it when tlif epidemic first broke out have had a second attack, while others, through not taking sufficient precautions, have had relapses, which in some cases, have proved serious. During the last week or two 'the weather has been extremely cold, wifii. an almost total absence of wind. Tt is anticipated, however, that given more favourable w:eather, conditions, fchposition would soon take a change for the better.