REVELATIONS IN TIMARU

Evening Star, Issue 16907, 3 December 1918, Page 5

REVELATIONS IN TIMARU

The-influenza epidemic has disclosed one thins: that was practically undreamed of before in Tima.ru—namely, tiro inability of some women, to look after and manage a home (says the ‘ Herald Some of the houses that have been visited by V.A.D, ■workers in Timaru presented a shocking condition of dirt and squalor. Poverty was not the solo cause of the unhealthy conditions, as cases have come ■under notice where the father of a family was earning fair wages, but the frame management there was none and every member of tiny household appeared to shift for himself or herself. In poorer quarters it has been found in many roses that the conditions which obtained wore a distinct contrast. The cupboard might not ho overburdened with food, and the children’s clothes might bo threadbare, hut cverytlu'ng was as dean rs soap and water could make it. Another noticeable tiling that lias been found in ‘Timaru hv tho V..A.D. workers is tho largo number of cases of real want that tho general public thought never existed there. Tho" V.A.D. and Relief Commit-tea have commenced working on these cases, finding them out, and reporting to tho proper quarter. In some instances four or five in ono family have been found living in a room ICffc separe. In one case a worker found four children sleeping in one bed—two at the top and two at the bottom. Their covering consisted of any old clothing that coiild bo found. Tho father of cno family was discovered suffering from influenzal lie was lying on an iron bedstead, on which there was neither mattress nov tick, and for a covering he had an overcoat and a few odd bits of clothing. In many houses it has been tound that not a reran l of food was m the place. Tho cupboard shelves were bare. Of tea, sugar, or milk there was no trace.

GETTING BADE TO NORMAL. HEAVY MORTALITY AMONG SAMOAN NATIVES. INFECTION SPREADS TO CHATHAM.*?. [Psa United Phsss Association.] WELLINGTON, December 5. All telegraph restrictions duo to the influenza outbreak are removed, but curtailed war conditions continue. Eleven soldiers’ deaths are reported. Cnss3 < at the camps now number 260. Tho serious ones are down to 16. Tho Minister of Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) says tho moet sax-ions aspect now is native mortality. The deaths In some places are severe. The epidemic has had terrible results in Samoa. In Upolu alone tho deaths are estimated at 1,000. Cabinet is considering provision for tho relief of widows and children. A circular is being issued to hospital hoards. A wireless from the Chathams reports a serious state of affairs. There is onlyone overworked doctor there, and nurses, it is represented, are urgently required. ABATING IN NATIVE CENTRES. [Peb United Press Association.] PALMERSTON NORTH, December 3. The Hon. Dr Pomare, who passed through here on his return to Wellington to-day, has visited most of the Native centres in the North Island. Ha expresses himself sanguine that tho worst is now over, but says it would bo a mistake to let up at the_ present time. He says seven Native hospitals have bean established, and that good work is being done at all. SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL MAN’S CLAIM, Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. CAPETOWN, December 2. (Received December 3, at 11.55 a.m.) Dr Edington, medical superintendent at Grey's Hospital, hag contributed an article to a Maritzburg paper dealing with the so-called Spanish influenza. Ho claims to have succeded in isolating the strepito bacillus, which ia genetically related to the pkuma. hut„is Severiiriasa,. nas , JM®

species. He also declares that, like tiro bubonic plague, this bacillus finds a host in rats, fleas, end other vermin, ANOTHER REASSURING REPORT. [Paa United Press Association.] CffiraSTOHUROH, December 3. Reports regarding influenza continue favorable. Tho admissions to tho hospital yesterday were six; deaths, four. Evidence of tho abatement of tho trouble is provided by tho fact that many of tho suburban depots aro now closed, while others aro during restricted hours. [Br Telegraph.] Reef ton.—Owing to influenza, the West Coast racing clubs will hold a conference on Wednesday to decide whether meetings will bo held at Christmas and tho New Year. So far there have been no deaths in Reef ton directly due to The epidemic. Westport.—Tho epidemic is on its last legs hero. Tho town has been practically immune from now cases the past three clays. Tho patients in the hospital are mostly iu tlio convalescent stage. Tho town has had a. wonderful cleaning up. Shipping is now brisk, and everything is almost back to the normal stage. Invercargill.—Reports to-day aro satisfactory, and business is being gradually resumed. Waimato.—'There have been 15 deaths hero from influenza to date. There are at present 32 patients iu Waimato Hospital, and 10 in tho Morven School. Tho epidemic is now abating. Blenheim reports several severe cases, and 20 deaths aro reported. Nelson escaped lightly, reporting 29 burials for November, as against 12 in November of