THE SMALL POX EPIDEMIC.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 584, 12 July 1913, Page 4

THE SMALL POX EPIDEMIC.

There does not appear to be much room for doubt that the epidemic which is at present raging throughout the Auckland district is something mure seriou3 than chicken pox. The medical inen who have charge of the cases in the various localities arc naturally unwilling to circulate any alarmist reports, and have hitherto contented themselves with issuing warnings io the public to take every precaution to prevent the Bpread o1 the disease. [The disease up to the present has been chiefly confined to the Maoris, but there is little doubt that the European population will become seriously infected unless drastic steps are taken by the health authorities. In our own district cases have already occurred at Otorohanga, and with the natives flocking from all sides to tangis it will be impossible to prevent the outbreak assuming a serious aspect locally. Dr Zobel. who haß been appointed by the Public Health Department to represent the department in this district, is emphatic in his warning and the public should leave nothing undone to assist in preventing such a scourge as small pox spreading throughout the district. The steps taken by the Health Department hitherto have been ineffective, and it is a matter for regret that more complete methods were not adopted to prevent the natives carrying the disease from one district to another. However, in view of the present serious situation there is no doubt vigorous measures will be adopted. It rests with the public to second those efforts in every possible manner.