INFLUENZA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17947, 14 November 1918, Page 4

INFLUENZA.

CHRISTCHURCH OUTBREAK. ONE HUNDRED OASES IN HOSPITAL. EIGHT DEATHS YESTERDAY. Twenty fresh cases of influenza were taken to the General Hospital yesterday. This makes a total of about 100 since the epidemic set in in Christchurch. There were eight deaths in the Hospital yesterday, making a total of about twenty in tho Hospital on account of influenza this week. Late last night it was reported that tho position at tho Christchurch Hospital was increasing in seriousness. Inhuenza patients had been received in the institution in such largo numbers that an extra ward had to bo cleared and prepared for them. The accommodation was being soverely taxed. Between seven o'clock last evening and one o'clock this morning there were five deaths, while quite a number of patients wero reported to be in a very critical condition. , About thirty nurses and three of five medical officers at the institution are sufferers. Tho Hospital staff, consequently, is having a very hard time, Dr W. Fox, medical superintendent of tho Hospital, stated yesterday that the Hospital authorities wero at their wits' ends in coping with the call made upon tho institution through the opidemic. There were still many eases coming in, but Dr Fox stated that a number of these wero not of such a serious nature that admission to the public Hospital should be sought. It would ease the position in the institution if application were made only in regard to urgent cases. Dr Fox finds that amongst his patients there are two distinct typos or influenza- One is the old type, with which everybody is familiar; tho other is the newer and much more virulont type. Ladies of the St John Ambulance Brigade and of the Nursing Division aro giving the Hospital authorities valuable help. Dr Fox does not know how he could manage without them. He complains bitterly of tho stoppage of the telephonic and telegraphic service on Tuesday, and states that it had very grave effect.-. He wished to send_ urgent telegrams to relatives of patients at critical limes, but found that the messages could not bo sent. Ho was blocked in the same way by not being able to uso tho telephone, no was told that an operator would be set aside to attend to only the Hospital wire on Tuesday, but that arrangement, evidently, could not be carried out. Tho Health Department has made arrangements with tho Hospital Board and tho City Council for tho utilisation of the bazaar building in Cathedral Square as a distributing ceniro for preliminary treatment until a doctor could be obtained. The Mayor (Mr H. Holland) lias convened a meeting of citizens, to bo hold in tho City Council Chambers to-day, to set up committees in the city and suburbs to assist the Health Department in combating tho influenza epidemic. Mayors, councillors, Red Gross workers and members of other organ* isations are invited to attend. At a meeting of tho Spreydon Borough Council last evening, the Mayor (Mr W. H. Winsor) was authorised to take steps and incur expenditure with a view to combating influenza. STATEMENT BY DR CHESSON. ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS TAKEN. When seen by a Times" reporter last night, Dr Chesson, District Health Officer, stated that he had boen notified of several deaths during the .day. The influenza epidemic was not abating, and a number of fresh serious cases had been reported. In conjunction with tho Hospital Board and City Council, a central distributing station would be established in Cathedral ' Square to-day—at the patriotic bazaar on tho south side of the tram shelter. Tho station was for the distribution of standard medicines and pamphlets of advice, to thoso who wero from any causo unablo to procure medical attention.

The Department had secured assistance from unregistered nurses, who were ready to go out on call and render preliminary help. Medical practitioners were receiving so many calls that tliev were unable to attend them all, nnd*the nursing assistants would bo sent out to attend these as far as possible. Two medical practitioners had also promised to render assistance where tho need was urgent. Tho general manager of the tramways had got six cars ready as inhalation chambers, and these would bo put into use as soon as staffs were secured. The cars would bo stationed at tho termini of the Sumner, New Brighton, Coronation Stroet and St Albans lines, at tho siding opposite tho Linwood post office and in Falsgravo Street, near the tramway powerhouse. Tho question of loitering, raised in regard to hotels, also applies to shops, and tho Health Officer advises shoppers not to remain in a shop ono moment longer than is noecssary. In this respect ho wishes to state that ho has arranged with Messrs Strange and Co., who were to commence a sale to-day, to postpone the opening till a later date. »

Dr Chesson desires to give a special warning; to tho travelling public who stay at hotels. Some of these people have already had the influenza while staying in hotels in Christchurch, and they have gono to other towns, putting up at hotels. They ar,o carriers and spreaders of the disease. "It is criminal selfishness on tho part of thoso people to travel about knowing, as they must, of tho awful consequences attending til* spreading of the disease." Instances of the kind have been reported in Dr Chesson,' and he is giving consideration to the matter with a view to putting a stop to the menace. Dr "Chesson appeals to the public to ''play the game," inul not risk causing infection in other places of a disease which is proving soi virulent and dangerous.

The Health Officer, in order to put a stop to alarming rumours, states that tho public may rest assured that the disease is influenza, and nothing else; but it is influenza of a very virulent type. Tho fact that,soma of the bodies have become dusky is due to sinosis, a condition brought about by imperfect aeration of the blood caused by pneumonia in tho lungs. Dp Chesson advertises elsewhere in these columns for twenty-four capable men to act as inhalation chamber attendants. An early call at tho Health Office to-day is urgently requested. ANOTHER INHALATION CHAMBER. The second inhalation chamber, established in a building immediately opposite the. City Electrical Department's building in Manchester Street, was opened at seven o'clock yesterday morning, and, with the exception of a half-hour at midday, was kept open until nine o'clock. Tho chamber has been well equipped. There are seven sprays, from which vapour is forced freely by am electric motor, and the arrangements for entrance and exit permit practically a continuous flow of persons through tho chamber. Tho officers in charge are Mr R. J. Bailey and Mr H. Fleck. The attendance yesterday may he gauged from tho fact that about forty persons were treated

every -ten minutes. The chamber will reopen at 7 a.m. to-day. HOTELS REOPEN TO-DAY. Hotel bars reopen by permission of the District Health Officer at 9 a-m. today, and will remain open during ■ the usual hours. A condition imposed by tho OhieY Health Officer is that thero is to bo no loitering on the part of customers. TRAMWAY SERVICE CURTAILED. The tramway service was disorganised again yesterday, when there were thirty-two absentees from the staff in tho morning. A restricted service was run during tho forenoon, which was farther reduced in the afternoon and evening. TELEPHONE STAFF AFFECTED. Like the rest of the community, the Telephono Exchange has been hit hard bv the influenza epidemic. Yesterday thirty-three- of the staff were down with the malady, whilo further defections were anticipated through exhaustion, due to overwork. SUPREME COURT CLOSED. Mr. A. H. Holmes, Registrar of the Supremo Court, received an order from Dr Ghesson yesterday., stating that the Court must bo closed to tho public, and that no cases requiring tho attendance of juries could be heard for fourteen days from last Tuesday. This will cause a good deal of inconvenience, as tho opening of the civil fiittings had been fixed for Monday last, and, on account of his Honor Mr .Justice Eordman suffering from influenza, iind been adjourned until yesterday morning. AMBULANCE WORKERS HELP. During the last few days the St John Ambulance Brigade has had a strenuous time. As fast as members could be called up they were sent out to help cope with tho epidemic either to private houses or to public The members of tho Nursing Division are all on duty at tho present time, and tho Ambulance Divisions aro all engaged in transport and other duties in connection with the epidemic. Members of tho Avonsido Nursing Division aro giving their services at different hospitals, and have had to abandon their meeting to-night. All persons who have parsed the_ St John Ambulance Association examination in home nursing and hygiene, and aro able to assist in the epidemic, are requested to communicate with tho secretary, Mr C. J. Treleaven, 119, Worcester Street. TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT'S HOLIDAYS. A STRONG PROTEST. Mr W. S- Wharton secretary of tho North Canterbury Hospital Board, last night entered a strong protest against tho telegraph office and telephone exchange being closed on Tuesday, • and against the telegraph office being unablo to send urgent messages yesterday. _ Notwithstanding that people were dying in the institution on Tuesday, it was impossible to communicate with relatives or doctors either by telegraph or telephone. During the day hours of yesterday Mr Wharton tried repeatedly to get an urgent message through to Dunedin to tho rolatives of a patient in the Hospital who was in a critical condition, and ho complains that the same state of affairs is threatened to-day. Ho considered that at least one or two officials" should have been kept on to deal with urgent cases during the influenza visitation. Words failed him, he stated, to express his disgust and that of the Hospital staff, which was doing its bos!- under most difficult circumstances, :.:: tho action of the officers responsible for shutting; down the telegraph and t••lephone services in such a crisis. It was a scandal to the country. ' It was suggested to Mr Wharton that the Government should be informed of the position. "Of what avail would that bo?" replied Mr Wharton, "seeing that tho Government is well aware of the awful state of affairs, and in its knowledge permitted the telegraph office and telephone exchange to be closed-" TRAMWAY BOARD ASSISTS, TWELVE CARS AS INHALATION CHAMBERS. Tramway cars make ideal inhalation rooms. The electric motors and brake air compressor chambers supply all tho power wanted, aud the space is suitably confined. Tho Tramway Board has now placed twelve cars at tho disposal of the Health Department. Over 300 people took advantage of one of these cars at the Falsgrave Street carshed on Armistice Day, one of tho board's officers giving up his holiday for the purpose. LYTTELTON CASES. Thero wore nine cases in the Lyitelton Casualty Ward last night, live of thorn being serious. An extra nurse and assistant were secured during tho day. During yesterday fivo men were discharged from the ward as convaiesTho inhalation chamber used at Lyttelton on No. 0 wharf for passengers from the north by the ferry steamers, was kept open all day yesterday for the uso of local residents. A great many made uso of the chamber, but apparently a greater number would have made use'of it had it been widely known that i* wis available. Tho local medical men "are having a strenuous time, working from early morning tiil la to at night All hotels wore closed at Lyttelton yesterday as a precautionary measure. EPIDEMIC INCREASING AT . KAIAPOI. The influenza epidemic is spreading in Kaianoi and district and sever a scnV „ JUoao are reported. Tho inhaling eh nS Provided by tho Borough cnanuwra i ter( jay attended by a sSdysKnof people who received x tiuJU Tho streets of Kaiapoiwill with disinfectant. THE MINISTER'S APPEAL. rr».~ Afnvor of Christchurch last night iJe ved Ss'age from the Hon 0. W. iSsell Minister of Internal Affairs in ? i in anneal was made tor vohui--7 \, nsS in combating the malady. tf, ers l -"„Cco of the attack is such, J, h 0 m- Iter stated, as to demand the urire o ß sMf strength, of the people entire org" - un ibcr of suggestions to light it- j the locul authorities 111I 11 ' 0 "olladv given off,!cfc to ' A m«*>thavo a ready g the &t ing will bone t} is aftern .__ to WjSSS » nd to g eiler «lly give effect* wishes and instructions. ■

ROMAN OATHOIJO ARRANGEMENTS.

churches on Sunday, owing to tho request of the Health Department that indoor services should be abandoned. Weather permitting, masses will ho celebrated in tho open in the grounds of the Cathedral and St Mary's at 9.80 a.m. Bishop Brodie has issued a dispensation excusing Roman Catholics from abstinence on Fridays until the end of tho present month. THE GOLD PACK. TREATMENT. A well-known Christchurch masseur, who has met with considerable success in treating influenza patients, describes tho method ho adopts, in the public interest. He states:—'' Life exists only through nioisfc warmth, :md moist warmth aiono upholds life. Ami so wonderful results are to be obtained owing to the penetrating, cooling, dissolving and excreting action of wet wrappings. In fever complaints they act by cooling tho blood and allaying tho excitement. The reaction from the cold drives the blood to the -skin. The internal organs, and especially the brain, are relieved of blood. Tho heart beats more quickly and regularly. Tho skin finds itself in a bath of evaporation. It sucks in greedily the moisture produced by tho evaporation of the water under the wrappings, and uses it to dissolve the. bad matters deposited in the tissues and circulating in tho blood. The perspiration of the skin then drives the diseased matter into the wrappings; hence the packs are soothing and cooling in their action. The body pack is of special importance in this form of treatment. lb can easily he administered by first putting a dry towel on the bed and then wringing out another, slightly smaller, in cold or tepid water. Tho patient can lie down on tho pack, which is then wrapped round the body. Change tho smaller towel as soon as it gets hot. Tho fever is better in the pack than in the body. Secondly, a good sponging all over with Coutts's acetic aoict, diluted with water, say half and half, is beneficial. This will also have rt cooling and healing influence. An injection of warm, soapy water, followed by an injection of tepid water, will assist to dispel the disease. Do not trouble about eating. A fast for two or three days is a good thing." POSITION AT AUCKLAND. A SLIGHT ABATEMENT. DEATH RATE STILL HEAVY. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 13. Influenza is not holding Auckland so strongly to-day. The 1 abatement of the malady is small but noticeable. Calls for assistance aro many, but not so many as on Monday. Serious oases still occur, but are attended with much less delay, and mild attacks aro being dealt with before they become serious. The death roll still is heavy, but not so heavy as it has been. The theatres have been closed for another week. Undertakers cannot cope with the burials and the authorities do this where private arrangements aro impossible. Two special trains run daily to Waikumete cemetery to ensure prompt burial. DISCUSSION IN HOUSE. REFERENCES TO NIAGARA. MINISTERS DENY ALLEGATIONS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 13. In tho Jtiouse of Kepresentatives this afternoon, replying to Vv iNewman, Sir James Alien saiu every precaution was Doing taKen to prevent tho spread of influenza among soiaiers. Tho camps Had Deen quarantined, and no soldier was allowed out of camp wlio should not be allowed out. Regarding the demobilisation of soldiers, ne was only too anxious to- demobdiso tho men at the earliest possiblo moment, and some men wore being given leave, but he asked members not to forgot that peace was not yet signed. In reply ; to questions regarding the spread of influenza, Sir Joseph Ward characterised as "wicked" a statement that influenza was brought to New Zealand by the steamer Niagara. The epidemic was world-wide, and there were 120 casea in Now Zealand ten days before the Niagara arrived, so that it was absurd to nay it was brought hero by the steamer on which the Prime Minister and himself travelled. Mr Massey and himself told the authorities that they were perfectly willing to go into quarantine with the rest of tho passengers if it was necessary. No influence was used to escape that inconvenience. Under the circumstances, those who spread the rumour for political purposes that tho Prime Minister and himself wore in any way responsible, Were worse than the Kaiser. The Prime Minister and the Hon G. W. Russell also made statements ou the subject, the Litter assuring the House that no request of anv kind was received from the Prime Minister or tho Minister of Finance for preferential treatment over other passengers by the Niagara. If the epidemic continued to spread, thero was only one way to deal with it- namely, the commandeering of the entire medical service of the Dominion, as in many places the Public Health. Department did not know where to turn for medical aid. v. The Hon W. H. Herries said that tho Railway Department was only too anxious to co-operate with the Public Health Department in dealing with parsengers travelling on trains, and would if necessary establish inhalation chambers on Main Trunk trains for the uso of passengers. The Hon G. W. Russell at once accepted the offer. In reply to Mr Young, the Minister also said he would issue instructions to every Hospital Board in the Dominion to supply medicine at cost price to sufferers who applied for it. ; Mr Holland and Dr Thacker suggested that the' House should adjourn for a fortnight to enable members to get back to their districts to organise a campaign against the epidemic. Mr Massey said that he proposed to ask the House, to adjourn till Friday, by which' time he hoped the situation would bo eased. Sir' James Allen gave an emphatic denial to a rumour that patients at Featherston Camp were not being well treated. SCHOOLS AS HOSPITALS. INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTER OF HEALTH. CLOSING OF HOTELS. [From Omi Cokxespokdbxt.] WELLINGTON, November 13. A Gazette Extraordinary authorises local health officers to close all hotel and club bars and other places, including billiard rooms, where people congregate. The action taken regarding hotel bars is duo to the risk of overcrowding and infection by glasses and mugs. Wellington bars still aro open, but the closure is about to bo applied. Mr Russell, interviewed to-day, stated that the health district of Canterbury included Westland, and under the new authority it would be possiblo to close the hotels in districts seriously af* fected without closing others in districts comparatively free. It would be possible to close hotels m all boroughs where the population is congested, leaving others open. Discretionary powers will be carefully exercised by tho Minister In "Wellington to-day a meeting agreed to block the city with a cen-

tral bureau for receiving notification of cases.

The Minister had a conference with the British Medical Association, which expressed the hope that all possible cases would bo concentrated in institutions. Tho Minister agreed to tho adoption of the policv, and tho Education Department will "be requisitioned for schools as temporary hospitals for men, women and children. The conference also came to an understanding regarding medical service in country districts. The Minister expressed regret at the extent of the epidemic in Christchurch, and appeals through the "Lyttelton Times" to the Christchurch authorities to organise ou Wellington and Auckland lines. Dr Chcssoii has been authorised to obtain tho necessary schools to establish Vthe institutional system. A standard mixture is being sent to all Hospital Boards and also chemists, to be distributed at cost price or free through central depots. WELLINGTON'S POSITION SERIOUS. HOSPITALS OVERCROWDED. APPEAL FOR NURSING ASSISTANCE. (Pkr Prkss Association.] WELLINGTON, November 13. Tho serious nature of the inlluenaa epidemic in Wellington has caused a great rush on medical specifics for prevention or cure. .Hospitals, public and private, are overtaxed, and tho staffs themselves are seriously depleted. Tho shortage of doctors and nurses, in fact, is a serious feature of tho outbreak, as it means that many of the hundreds of cases existing cannot receive skilled attention. Yesterday telephone, communication was inconvenienced, telegraph and telephone staffs suffering from tho heavy reduction of the personnel through the epidemic Tho Mayor is appealing to citizens for aesistanco in nursing and caring for afflicted peoplo. Mr P. Eraser, M.P., yesterday toured the poorer quarters. He found many cases lacking attention, in somo instances adults being cared for by children. The Minister of Health stated that no expense would be spared, and ho hoped a voluntary organisation would be formed to deal instantly with urgent cases. Inhalation chambers in the city are being largely used by the public, but he urged that more are needed. An impression prevails that many cases are a form of plaguo. It is reliably stated 1 that in a number of instances victims' bodies turned black shortly after death. I AT WELLINGTON. CITIZENS ORGANISING. (Per Pasts Association.] WELLINGTON, November 13. At a meeting of citizens to arrange an organisation to more effectively combat influenza it was decided to divide the city into blocks, and district captains and committees were appointed. It was stated thatover fifty hospital nurses had been stricken, and that only about six doctors were working to-day. DEATHS AT NAPIER. [Per Pbess Association.] NAPIER, November 13. There have been several more deaths here from influenza. ON THE WEST COAST. [Peb Press Association.] GREYMOUTH, November 13. Influenza is serious hero. Seven of the hospital nurses are down, and, the hospital is overcrowded, thero being several serious cases. Twenty-three members of the postal staff are ill. SPREADING IN OTAGO. SCHOOLS AND THEATRES CLOSED [Pbr Prws Association.] DUNEDIN, November 13. Tho Health Officer received thirteen notifications of influenza this_ morning, twelve being complicated with pneumonia. The schools of Dunedin and suburbs, Oamaru, Balclutha, Mosgiel and Milton have been closed for a week. All places of entertainment in otago and Southland, including halls, theatres and billiard saloons, have been closed for a week. Race meetings have been prohibited. Tho Health Officer intends to appeal to managers of churches te -.ancel next Sunday's services. AUSTRALIAN OASES. By TWefT»pJt-~Pn»s A*tt»i»tioa—Copjrifki SYDNEY, November 13. There aro eighty hospital cases in quarantine from the steamer Alan, which recently arrived from Fiji, via Auckland. One European and three native members of the crew succumbed. So far no cases outside of ordinary influenza have been reported. (Received November 18, 10.6 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 13. Two more deatlis or quarantined influenza patients aro reported. A meeting will be held at the Sunday school .room, Clyde Road, Fendaltotf, at eight o'clock to-night for the purpose of setting up a committee in connection with "dealing with tho inffuenza epidemic.