INCIDENCE OF COLDS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25554, 23 July 1948, Page 8

INCIDENCE OF COLDS

LESS IN CHRISTCHURCH THAN AUCKLAND

THROAT TROUBLE AMONG CHILDREN

Inquiries made yesterday by “The Press” indicated that the incidence of influenza, colds, and similar complaints had not reached the same unusual proportions in Christchurch this winter as had been reported in Auckland.

Medical practitioners said that many young children had suffered this winter from an unusual type of croupy cough, associated with laryngeal trouble. In every case quoted the child had been feverish for only about 24 hours and had suffered no aftereffects. One doctor with a large general practice said the outbreak seemed to have reached epidemic proportions. However, doctors agreed that the incidence of winter colds and similar ailments was not unusually high among adults. Aumorities at the Christchurch Public Hospital said that a number of nildren had been patients as the reult of acute infections of the throat _.nd larynx. Two weeks ago about 15 •hildren had been in hospital suffering from these complaints, but as these were drawn from all parts of the fairly extensive hospital district the outbreak could not be said to have reached epidemic proportions. The authorities said that normally such complaints as colds and influenza would not necessitate a patient’s admission to hospital and no records could be compiled. From the hospital’s point of view there had been no change from the normal number of admissions, either of adults or children.

The District Medical Officer of Health (Dr. J. H, Blakelock) said that, according to reports made t© him, there had been no undue incidence of colds and similar troubles in the schools.