THE SMALLPOX OUTBREAK

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3994, 26 July 1913, Page 5

THE SMALLPOX OUTBREAK

LOCAL VACCINATION. ANOTER BATCH OF 180 TREATED YESTERDAY. SUPPLY OF LYMPH EXHAUSTED Dr. J. W, Williams, public vaccinator, assisted" by Dr. C. 'F. Scott, attended at the Garrison Hall yesterday afternoon, and treated 180 people until the supply of lymph ran out. ’ FURTHER TUBES EXPECTED TO-DAY. IF LYMPH ARRIVES VACCINATION WILL BE RESUMED. Speaking to a “Times” reporter last night, Dr. Williams stated that he expected to receive a further supply of lymph by this morning’s steamer. If the tubes come to hand, public vaccination would be resumed at the Garrison Hall at noon to-day, when country people onlv would be treated, to enable them to catch the train and coaches. Townspeople would be treated at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Of course, Dr. Williams explained, if no lymph arrived no vaccinating would he possible to-day as the supply had been completely used up. If no lymph came to hand a notice to that effect would be posted in the window of Mr T. H. Garrett, chemist. “A NATIONAL MATTER.”

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL BOARD'S DECISION.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] AUCKLAND, July 25. Six more Maoris suffering from the prevailing epidemic were ordered by the District Health Officers to be removed to the isolation hospital at Pt. Chavnlier to-day. One was a 10-year-old girl from Pukaki near Mangere; three were from Orakei, and two from Shoal Bay, all areas already infected. A suspicious ease in Nelson Street proved on examination to possess none of the characteristics of the epidemic. Some confusion exists at- the Disftrict Healtli Office as to the exact number of patients at Pt. Chevalier, hut it was officially given out that the six fresh cases brought the total up to 69 and that 12 of these are Europeans who are contacts with Maoris. All the latest cases are mild. In his official bulletin, Dr. Frcngly said: “Within 10 days or a fortnight all the Maoris in the Auckland health district are likely to he vaccinated. I am, therefore, of opinion that the end of the outbreak can be anticipated about one month hence. Nevertheless, Auckland and suburbs will still be endangered unless a greater number of people are protected by vaccination. Once Maoris have been successfully vaccinated, we cannot well prevent them from travelling except from definitely infected areas.”

The vaccination depot established by the health officers at the St. John Ambulance station, was opened today. There were _ only a few applicants for vaccination. Dr. Cawkwell reported that he had found three severe cases at Ngawha Springs and •15 convalescents at Ngawha Village. One infant was seriously affected. _AII the cases were Maoris. A suspicious case at Ivaikohe township, a European woman) had been isolated. A telegram, which was forwarded ibv Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, head of the Health Department, to the Auckland Hospital Board to-day instructing:'the latter to restrict the movements of Natives from infected districts was considered by the Board at a special meeting held in the afternoon, and after the position had been discussed at length, Mr Coyle moved and Air Harbutt seconded, “That in the opinion of the Board the suppression of the epidemic is a purely national question, not a local matter, and should be taken in hand by the Government.” The resolution was carried. Air Alennie referred to the reply made ,by Hon. Air Rhodes to a suggestion that a medical committee should be set up to investigate the nature of the disease. Perhaps the Board could get a report from its own doctors. In justice to themselves this should be done. Such a course might allay a good deal of trouble. The general opinion of the Board was that it would be better to await the Government’s reply to the resolutions before setting up such a committee. If the Government forced the Board’s hand the Board could carry out its instructions under protest. It could also appoint a committee if it Thought fit. . . . Air Alennie: I think this is a national thing. The disease was brought into the citv from outside districts, and I think the Government should attend to it. , It was- decided to see what reply the Government made before taking further steps.

HEALTH OFFICER’S BULLETIN. 54 CASES IX AUCKLAND.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] WELLINGTON. July 25. The official smallpox bulletin issued at 8 o’clock this evening is as follows : “There are 54 cases in the Auckland hospital, 12 being Europeans. Dr. Cavkwell reports the case of a halfcaste at the temporary hospital, Kaikolie. With this exception the other cases there are doing well. At Matarana there are 15 convalescents and one woman sickening. Three suspected cases are reported at Orakei. iDr. Te Rangirolia reports three acute cases and 15 convalescents at the smallpox camp at Ngawha Springs. As it* is impossible fo keep the cases isolated in the villages, it has been decided to establish' an isolation camp at Ngawha. In his report Dr. Te Rangirolia states that there is a mass of evidence accumulating with regard to the immunity afforded by vaccination and quotes a case of a father; mother andi eight children, being affected where three children vaccinated were not affected. Dr. Ross is at Whakawhaka, where several cases are reported. No fresh cases have been reported from the Waikato.

CACZ AGAINST NEW ZEALAND LYMPH.

COWPOX PURIFIED OUT OF IT

(Received July 25, 9.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 25. It is stated officially that one consignment of New Zealand lymph had been so purified that all the cowpox 'had been purified out of it. In a trial pt Sydney only one case took out of six. ‘ Some of the Board of Health’s lymph from New Zealand lias been sent to Newcastle. The Victoria arrived at t p.m. and anchored down the harbor 3>yaiting

medical inspection. The passengers will land to-morrow morning. There w r ere six cases of smallpox in. the metropolitan area to-day—one from a house in a filthy condition. It is suggested that the local authorities should make a house-to-house visitation. The case at Nyngan has proved to be smallpox, but the case at Carcoar is doubtful.

S. AUSTRALIA AN INFECTED AREA. ANOTHER CASE REPORTED. (Received July 26. 12.25 a.m.) ADELAIDE, July 25. A case of suspected, smallpox is reported at Roseworthy. The patient was a recent visitor to Sydney, where he was vaccinated, but he developed a suspicious rash. South Australia has been declared an infected district. PRECAUTIONS IN FIJI. STRICT QUARANTINE REGULATIONS. SUVA, July 25. (Received July 25, 10.57 p.m.) In response to a public demand the Government is proclaiming vigorous quarantine regulations to-morrow. Passengers arriving will be quarantined until the completion of 14 days from the date of leaving an infected port.