THE EPIDEMIC

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 39, 17 February 1919, Page 8

THE EPIDEMIC

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

OPENED AT AUCKLAND,

(81 mgoBAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

.AUCKLAND, This Day,

The Epidemic Commission was openfed, but adjourned till -Wednesday, thero being only two witnesses ready—Drs. Hughes and Maguire—to deal with tho first phase of the inquiry, viz., conditions in Auckland prior to the arrival of the Niagara. 'Dr Hughes said that from the reports of Departmental officers it was shown that influenza was present in Auckland throughout the ' year, being most in evidence from June onward. One severe case, involving the loss of a woman's voice, came under his notice the same day as he went aboard the Niagara. Dr Maguire said that prior to 12th October, when the Niagara arrived, no case of influenza had been admitted to the hospital for four' months. He had not heard of any pneumonic influenza outside during the same period. The first cases admitted to the hospital were twen-ty-eight cases from the Niagara on 12th October. Of this number three, were suffering from bronchial pneumonia. Six more were admitted' from the Niagara' next day, one, being very bad with bronchial pneumonia. On 21st Octaber two nurses from the/Niagara were admitted, making a total or thirty-seven. Only two of the Niagara patients died in the hospital— one nurse and one member of the crew. From 12th October to 14th December, 845 cases were admitted to the hospital, and there were 188 deaths from influenza in the hospital during that period. He had heard that influenza was prevalent-at Narrow Neck-Camp before 12th October, ,

The Commission decided to call evidence on this point. ••■■■■ ; Sir John Deniiston,- the Chairman, at the opening of the proceedings, said the Commission proposed to take evidence as to the condition of the health of Auckland before and up to-the arrival of the Niagara. It would have to rely upon • information from the records of public institutions, and proceed to have these .supplemented by the observations and experience of private medical practitioners. Looking to the important phase of the, .inquiry.^namely,. the best methods .of preventing or dealing with such occurrences in the future, the Commission made an appeal to medical practitioners to assist as;much as possible.»:- The ---'Commission-, was-impressed with v'the" very great 'responsibility attached to their investigations—dealing with the gravest calamity that ever be-feUtihe--'people of our Dominion..