HEALTH OFFICERS’ REPORT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17948, 15 November 1918, Page 4

HEALTH OFFICERS’ REPORT.

HOW THE CAMPAIGN IS BEING FOUGHT. APPEAL FOR"VOLUNTARY HELP. -Or H. Chesson, District Health Officer, was busy nil day yesterday receiving reports and attending the details of the campaign -he is leading against the disease. One of his iivst actions was to extend the time of prohibition against theatres, picture theatres, dancing halls, billiard saloons, concert rooms, public halls, libraries, schools, colleges, churches and other places. The first announcement was that they should be closed for a. week from Monday. The prohibition now will be extended until the whole of next week at least.

A prohibition will be issued soon to stop all auction sales indoors. There will be no prohibition against cricket matches, bowling matches and other out-of-door sports. " People are used to their Saturday half holiday, and it is good for them," the Health Officer said to-day; ''and there is no reason why open air gatherings of that nature should be stopped. As a matter of fact, I wish to encourage that kind of tiling if nothing is done to attract spectators.'' Ho is asking business people not to' announce or hold sales or other attractions that will cause congestion on their premises, but ho will not interfere with ordinary everyday business. The sales at Addington Yards on. Wednesday will not be, interfered with.

Twenty-four extra men wore engaged yesterday to attend to the inhalation chambers. There are reserves, and more will be taken on if the present staff cannot meet tho requirements. Dr Chesson does not need any volunteers for this work, but he does need an expert lady typist, adult messengers, and members of the Volunteer Aid Division. It is the last especially to whom he is now looking for help. Members who have volunteered, for Auckland, and have not gone there, he asks to apply to him at once. He wants ladies who have had-some experience in nursing, but have not necessarily been trained. They will have their headquarters at tho central deuot and will be sent from there to different places in the health district. Dr Chesson has secured good stocks of formalin, but inquiries failed to show how tho reserve stocks aro meeting tho demand on them.

SHOPS TO CLOSE AT 6 p.m. TO-DAY When seen by a reporter night. Dr Chesson stated that there was no change in the position. The epidemic ' showed no signs of abatement.. He had given instructions that all shops were to be closed at 0 p.m. on tho following day (to-day) to assist in preventing the spread of the epidemic in regard to funerals, Dr Chesson stated, that, owing to the risk of infection at present only those intimately associated with deceased persons should attend funerals. He would like, to point out to the public that persons who were suffering only slightly from the disease and those who had just recovered were highly infectious, and on no account whatever should such persons appear .anywhere where they were likely to meet other, people at close quarters. Quite apart from their responsibilities so far as the Health Act was concerned and liability to piosecution and. heavy penalty, persons suffering frprn infectious disease exposing themselves in a public place should bear in mind that they might cause serious illuess, and perhaps death, to friends and others. "I do not think the people yet realise tho fall seriousness of the complaint and its danger," added tho Health Officer. Tho depot in Cathedral Square was, ho said, closed last, night on account of shortness of medicine, but it will remain open on subsequent evenings till further notice.

Further medical assistance is promised to-day, two offers having been received by Dr Chesson during yesterday.