INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2090, 14 February 1920, Page 3

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

HOSPITAL BOARD’S ACTIVITY. \ —:— A. number of recommendations for the prevention' of the spread of influenza were sari unit ted to the .District Hospital‘Board at its meeting on Thursday: —That the public be informed (hat, all doctors are,supplied with vaccine Cor protective vaccination against influenza, and that a depot is available for needy patients at the public hospital between !) and 9.30 a.m., and that discretionary powers be left to the medical staff and matron; (2) that ;di picture theatres should have fans fitted to be worked the whole time during the picture show performances to exhaust the foul air, preferably the shows to be, (dosed for this purpose daily; (3) that the matron he instructed to get the new ward into preparation for the reception of patients, and that all available nurses in the district be warned for public work; (4) that it be 1 a recommendation to the public that the key to Hie prevention of influenza. is through and through ventilation of all dwellinsg by means of open doors and windows; (5) unwashablc materia! like rags and carpets should he exposed to fresh air and sunlight, which is the best and cheapest of disinfectants; (0) that' the attention of the Public Health Department he called to the fact that in many cases sales of secondhand bedding and material which lias been infected without sterilisation take place, and ask them for an expression of opinion on same; (7) that it be a recommendation to the Public Health Department that they might give instructions that billiard rooms and [daces where he public assemble he washed out and disinfected daily; (8) that the ambulance at Otaki he brought to .Palmerston North. Mr J. A. Nash (acting-chairman) said there were 1 a large number of womeu in the district who had had several weeks' hospital tuition, and it was presumed that in the event of an outbreak they would be ready to take up the work. There was also the organisation of the St:. .John Arbnianco Association, while numerous volunteers would also bo available. Dr. Whilakcr said (hat while (he use of inoculation serum was 101 l to the medical officers 1 hem-wives, lie thought the time had arrived for it to he used, and he was going to lake advantage of it.