INFLUENZA

Evening Star, Issue 17038, 8 May 1919, Page 2

INFLUENZA

. THE WORST PAST. LIFTING TOE~RESTRICTIONS. Fr*«« Association—By Telegraph— Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, "SYDNEY, May 8." (Received May 8, at 8.40 a.m.) The Medical Council, in view of the marked improvement of the influenza position, have recommended lilting all restrictions on outdoor assemblages, only retaining masking at indoor assemblages, and on trains, trams, and ferries; The council warn the public of the probability of recrudescence of the epidemic, and of the necessity for the -utmost care to avoid infection. REPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA. ""SYDNEY. May 7. Despite the heavy rain of the past few days the influenza "position in the metropolitan area, both as regards the number of cases and the d-eath roll, is steadily improving. Yesterday's* deaths fell to eight. The spread in the country districts continues- Newcastle, Lithgow, and some other larger towns are having serious visitation/ but the death rato is" not high and the conditions are improving. There is an improvement in Victoria, but the disease is still claiming a considerable toll—a good proportion in the country districts. "Of 43 deaths reported ye-icixby 21 were in the country. In South Australia, so far, the disease is mr.inly coniined to the capital. Latest Brisbane reports indicate that inihicuzu is obtaining a firmer hold. There are many new cases, including several among the nursing staffs. Stringent precautions aie being""" taken to cope with the spread of the disease. TRAGEDY IN VICTORIA. MELBOURNE. May 7. Neighbors ■ entering the house of a settler named Beckmann. near Ballarat, tVucd the mother, daughter, sjid son dead from iniiuen/n. The father, who blind and is recovering from the'epidemic, was unrib'e to afford any information beyond stating that lie knew they were sick and had not heard them speak for some time. THE MANUKA. [Per Uni-Tkd Peess Association.] WELLIXGTOX, May 7. The Health Department having given permission for the berthing of the Manuka, it was intended to bring the vessel to the wharf at 7.50 to-night, but the waterside workers announced that they would not work the vessel unless a further examination of the crew_ was made. Accordingly, another examination will be carried out, and the vessel is expected to berth at 7.30 a.m. to-morrow. THE ECHO ISOLATED. NAPIER, May 7. A mild case of influenza was discovered nn the Echo to-day, and the vessel was isolated in the roadstead for 48 hours. STEAMERS QUARANTINED. INYI-iRCAEGILL, May 8. The Kaiapoi, which arrived to-day at Bluff from Melbourne, and the Westmoreland, from Adelaide, were both placed in quarantine. .MEDICAL MAN'S VIEWS. [SI'tCIAL TO THE ' StAE.'] CHRISTCHURCH, May 8. Accouling to a prominent medical practitioner there is at present, an influenza epidemic in Christchurch similar in form to that which ruled last October, and which preceded the virulent outbreak in November. His experience, however, was that there was not quite the same number of cases. The cases met with by him readily responded to quinine, and were usually well on the way towards recovery within 24 hours. If th'e epidemic were to assume a pneumonic form he considered that the dancer period would develop by the end of this month. This assumption was based on the experience of the previous epidemic. In England three serious outbreaks had occurred at, roughly, sixmonth intcivals. If there was a rule in such matters, this would support his view of the possibility of the outbreak developing seriously about the time stated. However. thereVas nothing certain. In England, for instance, where 'the population was larger and mow; congested, no dou'bt soldiers returning from abroad brought the fresh infection. New? Zealand, on the other hand, was more isolated, and while the situation called for prudent measures, there was no need for undue alarm.