INFLUENZA

Evening Star, Issue 16992, 14 March 1919, Page 8

INFLUENZA

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.

In the course of his evidence before the Influenza Commission at Wellington yesterday, the Hon. G. W. Russell quoted the Registrar’s returns showing that from May to October deaths from influenza in Auckland ranged from 9 to 34, and sprung m November to 837. and in December th y were 129. For Wellington similar figures were 9to 30, 161. and 56; Christchurch, sto 28, 372. and 119; Dunedin, Bto 24, 166, and 145. Sir John Dennis ton said there was no doubt that sporadic influenza existed, but the doubt was whether the subsequent virulent form was a separate visitation or directly following the milder type. Mr Russell quoted the registered deaths of Maoris from influenza, the total being 1,153. He went on to discuss the powers of local authorities under the law before and after the amending Act of last year. His purpose was to show that tho municipalities nad power to ileal with insanitary conditions, slum areas, and so on. He submitted to the Commission a series of articles which appeared in tho Auckland papers, showing that there were dirty slums in that citv when the epidemic was raging there Hie extracts, he said, wore the foundation, and. he claimed, justification for the telegram which he sent to the Mayor of Auckland, and to winch so ranch exception had been taken The Chairman reserved in the meantime the question whether these extracts were admissible as evidence. Hie Minister then asked whether, in the event of the painted matter being ruled out, the reporters who wrote the matter should -be summoned before tho Commission to give evidence. This, the Chairman said, could not be done. The general question of the admissibility of all this matter was discussed and decided by the Commission in committ-eo._ When the Commission resumed, the Minister proceeded to refer to Vs correspondence with the Mover of Auckland at the time of the arrival of the Makura on No- i vember 22. Mr Gunson, he said, had made j a strong demand that the Makura. should be quarantined, but- witness was unable to give any assurance except that the matter would be cnrcfnllv investigated, ancj this assurance he gave when information was sept by wireless that- measles cases were on board the ship. Measles was not- a notifiable disease, but he h.ad information that the sickness was in Auckland. It was then that Mr Guneon made his declaration that the statement of the Minister that measles was rife in Auckland was contrary to fact-. Witness sent his telegram to Mr Grnson regarding insanitary conditions in Auckland Ho based his statements in that telegram on information conveved to him in Auckland and on articles appearing in the Auckland papers So much was he impressed witli the seriousness of things in Auckland that he despatched Dr Frenglev to Auckland on a few hours’ notice, and a day or two afterwards he went to Auckland himself From what he saw there he was satisfied that the organisation developed bv the Mayor and citizens was very efficient. The work of the sfavor and his committees was bevond all praise He wished to say this as a matter of justice. The Minister said it was casv to be wise after events, and ho would bo a foolish Minister of Public Health who would not have learned some lee sons from the experience of tha epidemic There were at the time of tha outbreak no quarantine stations at Auckland, Wellington, or Port Chalmers, as all these places were occupied by the Defence Department. Quail Island, atLyttelton, had for many years been used as a leper station, and the buildings there were absolutely useless for quarantine. At the time of the arrival of the Makura the passengers could have been quarantined only on tho ship, and this would have constituted a danger of a most dreadful type. On November 6 the Acting Chief Health Officer recommended that tho Defence Department bo asked to vacate the quarantine stations, and he at once conveyed this recommendation to the Minister of Defence, with an urgent request than it should receive prompt attention. As to the control of the organisation to fight sibkness, there was a difference of opinion between himself and the Chief Health Officer. Dr Valintine thought the best authority to control was the Hospital Board. This might bo so if an epi-deimo was of limited extent, but in the event of a visitation like that of last year it would be necessary to call in tho aid of the local governing bodies to develop a proper organisation Tho Minister said that one of the greatest troubles in connection with the epidemic was in dealing with the native population. They did not understand tha need for precautions, and they cuff-red severely. Targis were forbidden, and endeavor was made to persuade the; Maoris to live under better sanitary conditions lest another epidem'c would corns. One of the things revealed by the epidemic experience was a dreadful lack of knowledge of home nursing. He thought the Government would have to subsidise the St. John Ambulance Association to assist in the instruction of peoplein this work. The Women’s National Reserve also were interested in this matter, and were arranging for lectures. One of j the first necessities of the country for the future would be tho establishment of a State medical service. He referred fo the bursaries scheme, and tho requirement that students on graduating would serve a.s house surgeons in hospitals. Indeed, hs would almost be inclined to suggest to the university authorities that a term of service in hospitals should bo a necessary complement to a graduating course. Experience in a hospital was necessary to young men about to enter practice. Tire Minister said he was not in favor of the Mafcnra being quarantined in the circumstances as they then were. Mr Massey received a telegram from the Press delegates on the ship, and Air Massey and ho ■greed that it would be dangerous to the passengers to keep them on the ship .ii quarantine. Dr Yalintine was given authority to release the ship from quarantine if he'thought fit, and with his decision to do ro the Minister wished to associate 1 imself. Mr Russell referred to the good work done by the medical men in the fight with the epidemic. The question of the supplies of medicine in the event of a ■■ecrudescence was under consideration. The hospital beards were being circularised and asked to forward statements of the quantities of medicine and influenza remedies which they had in hand.