DIPHTHERIA AT RICCARTON

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12586, 22 August 1901, Page 2

DIPHTHERIA AT RICCARTON

It was reported da the city yesterday that a serious epidemic of diphtheria had broken out dn the Riccarton district, and that the public school there had been closed in consequence. From enquiries made by a representative of this journal, it seems that the rumour of • an. epidemic is hot true. During the last three months there have been seven cases of diphtheria in th® district, one death immediately attributable to the disease, and another one which might have been caused by it indirectly. Three of the oases, and one death, have occurred in one hmisc, that of Mr S. Suthorn, the sexton. Mr Snthom’s residence adjoins the old school-house, at the church. The schoolliouse was built about forty years ago, and is in a dilapidated condition, part of the flooring being below the level of the ground. As it'- is very damp and unhealthy, the surmise is that diphtheria germs have arisen from it. Dr Symes, focal medical health officer, has suggested that the building should be pulled down and removed. Stops have been 'taken in this direction, offers being solicited-lot the work, *arid it is the intention of the church authorities to have the whole of the old buildings removed as soon,as possible. The reporter- was informed that though the school had been closed for a week, as a precautionary measure, there; was no prevailing sickness among the children, win, on the whole-, were in a healthy condition.