INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC ABATING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 54, 28 November 1918, Page 6

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC ABATING

THE POSITION STILL IMPROVING

ONE HOSPITAL EVACUATED

COLONEL VALINTINE'S REPORT

Colonel T. H. ValintinS, Chief Health Officer, 'yesterday reported further improvement" in the situation. A temporary hospital had been evacuated, but was being maintained until there was no possibility of its again»being required. Approximately, 100 beds wcro vacant in the hos-' pitals", an indication that the epidemic was abating. Reports from tho country generally showed that the fight against tjie epidemic was progressing favourably. Chatham Islands. Further information was asked for on Tuesday from the Chathams, but up till yesterday afternoon no reply had been received from the station at the islands. Hotels and Theatres. Tho question of reopening hotel bars, picture theatres, and other places, closed by order of tho Health authorities, has not yet been considered, but there seems to be no prospect of their being reopened immediately. No risks are beinij taken in this regard,'and until there is positively no danger tho places will remain closed. Sickness in Camps Declining. The sickness in the camps continues to decline, and yesterday only two men wore admitted to hospital. The number of serious cases totalled 36, and there were no deaths. Tho health report is as follows:— Trentham. Paraded sick 3 Admitted to hospital ... 1 Detained for observation 1 Remaining in hospital ... 276 Serious cases 15 ■ Peatherston Paraded sick '16 Admitted to hospital ... 1 ' Serious cases 21 Remaining in hospital ... 239 Awapuni. Paraded sick ...' 1 Admitted to hospital 0 Remaining in Jwspital ... 16 Serious cases 0 State of Temporary Hospitals. Sixteen deaths were recorded in the temporary hospitals during the twentyfour hours ended, at noon yesterday. The tally of vacant beds in ths various hospitals continues to show a distinctly healthy sign. Yesterday's Teport (at noon) read as follows:— Males. Females. Alexandra Hall (being cleared) — — Sydney Street 10 — St. John's — — "Wellington College ... 22. 2 St. Patrick's College ... 21' — Normal School — 11 • Seamen's Institute ... 6 — Brooklyn 16 . — Totals 75 13 The vacant beds in the convalescent homes yesterday at noon were as follow :— Males. Females. Wellington South 29 — Oriental Bay — 2 Salvation Army ....i.... — 6 St. Thomas's 10 . — \ St. Anne's 8 — •Totals 47 8 Alexandra Hall Being Evacuated. Following upon the encouraging news of the steadily increasing number t of vacancies in the temporary hospitals comes the news that it was decided yesterday morning (in tho interests of efficiency) to clear the Alexandra Hall, in the hope that it will not be further needed for hospital purposes. There were eleven patients in this hospital yesterday afternoon,. and these will be evacuated this morning to the Sydney Street and Wellington College hospitals. In the meantime it is not proposed to removo the equipment for a few days in order to be ready for any emergency, but the stores will be taken over by Major M'Cristell, and distributed among the other temporary hospitals as they are needed. The clearing of one hospital m a district where the disease was rampant a week ago is the cleareflt evidence of the successful war that in being waged against the epidemic. Telegraph Staff Returning to Duty. A slight improvement was recorded again in tho attendance of the telegraph and telephone staffs yesterday. The Department notifies that to-day telegrams mav be accepted at ordinary rato for all offices in the North Island, but teiegrams for' offices in the South Island ore to be accepted\at urgent rate only. All offices will continuo to close at 5 p.m. Wellington North. A good number of cases in this district are still receiving medical and nursing-attention. The committee state that if patients in the convalescent stage would take more care of themselves and carry out. strictly the medical instructions there would not be the same demand on this organisation and on doctors and nurses. Moreover, if the hospitals could take a larger proportion of the cases in the poorer quarters of the district a quicker clearance could be effected. and the' spread of infection to others stopped. Supplies of beef tea and nourishing food are still being largely distributed and much appreciated. Very |ew new cases are t being reported. SOLDIERS' DEATHS ' AT FEATHERSTON CAMP. The following deaths have been renorted from Featherstoii Military Camp:— 91,580 Private Alfred E. C. Chilman, C Company, 49th Reinforcements, from C.S.M., on November 25 (Mrs. A. E. C. Chiiuian, Pahiatua). 89,285 Private A. W. Bridle, 50th Specialists, from broncho-pneumonia, on November 26 (Mrs. C. M. Bridle, Cromwell, Awatoto). 8/24 Lieutenant T. A. Clark, physical trainer, from broncho-pneuiuonia, oil November 25 (Mrs. Clark, C.reytown), 2/519 a Saddler A. B. Anderson, from broncho-pneumonia, on November 26 (Mrs. F. M. Anderson, Marangai, Bay of Islands). , AT NARROW NECK. . Advice lias been received of the following deaths at Narrow Neck:81,503' Private 1. Ngaipu (Ngaipu Matai, Aitutaki, Cook Island). 84,181 Private Fati (Takaiva, Nanumca, Ellice Islands)'. MISCELLANEOUS.

Advice has been received of the death nt Whangarei. from influenza, on Novel", bur I), of 89,4:13 Private A. K. Hoey. 'Advice lias been, received of the death at Awapuui Camp of 78,159 Private G. Wilberforce Wilson, from pneumonia following inlluenza, on November 20. His next-of-kin is his wife, Mrs. E. M. Wilson, Onehunga. Advice has been recoivod that 26,627 Lance-Corporal Ernest H. Jams died at tlio Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, on November 9. Deceased was a returned discharged soldier. He was 38 years of ago and single, his next-of-kin being Mr. John Jarvis (father), Palmerston North. Advice lias been received that 19,099 Private H. Dickson died suddenly on'the Tauranga Wharf on November 13. Deceased was 21 years of age and single, his next-of-kin being Kikihana Tari (father), Tauranga. Advice has been received that 20,347 Private John W. Hooker died from influenza in Napier Hospital on November 22. Deceased was a returned undischarged soldier. He was 23 years of age and married, his next-of-kin being 'Mrs. M. G. T. Booker, Napier. Advice has been received that 57,801 Private John 8. M'Bride, died at Stratford Hospital oil November 14. Deceased wa l s a returned undischarged soldier. He was 27 years of ago and single, his next-of-kin lieing Mr. J. M'Bride % (father), Stratford. Advice lias been received from Group Area, Wanganui, that 17/264 Trooper James Hunter died of complications following influenza on November 22. Dc-

ceased was a returned discharged soldier. Ho wns 33 years of ago and single, his next-of-kin being Mr. H. Squires, Tasmania. Advico has been received from Group Area, Wanganui, that 10/303 Private C. W. Connell died at Wanganui on November 25 from influenza and complications. Deceased was 25 years of age and single, his next-of-kin being Mrs. M. Couueil, Feilding. TRAINING~fioLLEGE HOME CHILDREN STILL COMING IN. A further batch of children from ?n----fected homes was drafted up to the new Children's' Receiving Home at the Teachers' Training College at Kelburn yesterday. Mr, J. S. Tennant, who has temporarily deserted his ordinary duties to act as registrar and general manager of the now home, stated yesterday afternoon that there were at that time some 32 children in the homo, with' the promiso. of others before the night closed down. Tho organisation provided a creche, observation room, and hospital for the children, who were being given every attention. In some cases tho children wero from homes temporarily .bereft of i.arents who were suffering from the epidemic, and as they recovered and became fit to resume their responsibilities tho childron would lie reclaimed. So far only one child inmate had been so reclaimed by its parents. In other cases there were children whom the scourge had robbed of both parents, and who, if not claimed by relatives, or taken over by humane people, would probably have to become a. charge on the State. It was stated that already several offers had been received to adopt children who had suffered the loss of both parents. "What wo are most in need of," said Mr. Tennant, "is efficient helpers—women who are prepared to tuck up fieir sleeves and really work, not those who only wish to drop in for half an hour or so. I might tell you that the -vemcn we had yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon were practically at work during the whole of the night. We. want good piactical women who are not afraid of hrrd work, to go on duty for a whole shift— and we must have them." BEREAVED FAMILIES AND PENSION BENEFITS. The plight of those families who have lost their bread-winners, in the epidemic i was the subject of a question in the House of Representatives by Dr. Newman yesterday. Dr v Newman asked the Minister in charge of Charitable Aid whether he could do anything to help widows and others with information as to how they ought to apply for .pensions and get them as speedily as possible. He mentioned a case which had c.onio under his notice, that of a woman left with nine young children. This woman had never previously had any thought of applying for a pension, and there must be many similar cases. The Minister said that there must inevitably be a great deal of distress resulting from the epidemic. The quesflon of relief had not yet come before Cabinet. In Auckland funds of £1000 had been subscribed, and it was possible that the Government would consider subsidising theso funds subscribed. In the meantime it was the wish of the Government that distress should be made as light as possible, and if applications were made b the charitable aid authorities at once, ho would issue instructions that they should be dealt with at once, and not 'strictly on charitable aid lines. He hoped also that just as the people of. this country had beei generous in respect of war needs they would be similarly generous in rospect of this other demand from tho people who had suffer- , ed here. . ~r , r The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Myers) said that he would take note- of the suggestion made by the member for Wel- • lington East, and' ho would direct the Commissioner accordingly. TO PROVIDE"FOR~THE FUTURE ; SUGGESTIONS BY MR. LUKE. The following question was addressed to the Minister of Public Health in the House of Representatives yesterday by Air. J. P. Luke, M.P., Mayor of Weilington Will the Minister of Public Health introduce legislation to provide; (1) That if the city councils in New Zealand will appoint a medical officer of high standing to be approved by the Minister, such officer may exercise in respect to infectious diseases, insanitary buildings, nuisances, and other matters of public health in the cities all powers now exercised bv the Public Health Department and hospital and charitable aid boards. (2) To provide that such medical officer shall be removable only with the consent of the Minister. (3) To provide more efficient legislation in connection with the condemnation of insanitary buildiugs. (4) To give the cities rating power to iprovide for tho expense to be. incurred in carrying out such works. REPORTS FROM~OTpR DISTRICTS STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN CHRIST. CHURCH. By Talettraph—Press Association. Christchureh, November 27. _ Reports regarding the influenza epidemic continue favourable, and the steady improvement of the past few days still continues. Admissions to the hospitals yesterday totalled seventeen, and deaths nine. SITUATION MASTERED INDUNEDIN Dunedin, November 27. Regarding the epidemic, Dr. Bowie expresses confidence that the corner has been turned. H'e is convinced that the situation 'has been mastered. The people have only to' continue to pay due Tegard to necessary precautions. Very few new cases of sickness are reported. MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN SOUTHLAND. Invercargill, November 27. A definite improvement can now be reported. Tl'ie vigilance committee reports that the position .in town is eminently satisfactory, and there is marked improvement in the country. Business is still closed down to release .the employees for the fight against the epidemic. Nearly 50 members of the railway staff and over GO of the post and telegraph staff are still off duty, but the convalescents • are .beginning to return. The cases reported to the vigilanco conunitteo and tho admissions to hospital are rapidly decreasing, and there are fewer 'serious cases. The organisation is being continued with unabated energy to stamp the disease out. Conditions certainly will bo more normal early next week. The Mayor has telegraphed the Prime Minister asking if the Dominion's needs with regard to financial relief ■ will bo met from the Consolidated revenue. FINE WORK OP NEW PLYMOUTH COMMITTEE. New Plymouth, November 27. The epidemic is well in hand ii\ New Plymouth, the result of the energetic and efficient work of the Citizens' Health Committee, but the position in the country districts, especially amongst tho Maoris, is not so satisfactory. The New Plymouth committee is now throwing the whole work of its organisation into helping the country districts, from Opunake to Mokau, and south to Tanki, to combat the disease, which in places is in a virulent: form. Every settler s homo and Maori whare is being inspected by snccially trained men, and hospitals aro bcine established in every country centre. Tho town committee is providing women and men helpers, medicine, etc, whilst the worst cases are being brought into tho New Plymouth Hospital. DANNEVIRICE RETURNING TO NORMAL. Dannevirke, November 27. The deafh-roll from influenza since Monday numbers seven. The town, which has been closed for a fortnight, is now slowly resuming its normal activities The position shows a decided improve, mcnt as regards fresh cases sported. EPIDEMIC UNDER. CONTROL AT THAMES. Thames, November 27. The epidemic is well under control, and there are few new cases. In all tho country districts the Maoris have suffered severely, but the worst is now over,