A DANGEROUS DISTEMPER.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 15, 16 December 1862, Page 4

A DANGEROUS DISTEMPER.

The following circular has been published by the Government and extensively circulated. There is great anxiety on the part of the European inhabitants of New Zealand to save the Maori as a race; and if there be equal anxiety on the part of the Maoris themselves, surely this most desirable end may be accomplished.

[circular.] (Translated from the Maori.) A4angerous disease has appeared amongst Maori, which they call KarawaJta, but which ihe Europeans designate, typhus fever. It is stated that this disease has found its way to Mangonui, KaiiaU Te Waimate,

Kaikohe, Olaua, Mangamuka, Whirinaki, Pakanae, Waierohia and. other places. Many # persons died, and have been consigned to. the grave. These are the remarks of medical men in- relation to this dreadful malady'; the treatment of the patient, and the remedies to be used 4. If any person be taken with the fever, the sick person, with his attendants, should be in the boiise. Let no persons who are well go near to the house where the patient is lying, lest, they calch tbe fever; and another reason is this, that the patient may be able to breathe niore freely. 3*' Let there be two doors or entrances to the. house where the patient is lying, so that there may be a free circulation of air, and when the weather is fine, both doors should be open. > 3. The patient should be placed on the side of tbe house wfiere there is no draught, but where the air can reach him, that he may breathe freely. Do not suffer him to be placed near the door, lest the coid wind should .affect him, and the fever thereby be increased. 4. The arms, legs, and cbest of tbe patient sbonld be washed with warm water, but the skin should be rubbed dry immediately, to prevent his taking cold. 3. Let no one presume to wear the clothing of the patient, or lie down by him, or go near so. as to inhale his breath, lest those who are well also take the fever. (Si. All that passes through the patient should be at once removed. .To permit any excrement io be near the person of the patient, wonld tend to strengthen the disease. 7. The old clothing, when removed from the person of the patient, should be burned; but it may be desirable to retain some for further use; those should be plunged into boiling water, and then washed —well washed. Let no one heedlessly handle the garments of ihe patient prior to their being cleansed. ! 8. The food for the patient should be rice, sago, and arrowroot. This kind of food only should be given while tbe fever continues high, but when it becomes less virulent, both may be given, made from fowls, pigeons, tuts, and other birds. 9. Tbe first medicine to be administered in typhus fever is an emetic. Shortly after, lukewarm-water should be given, of which tbe patient should drink large quantities, that, the emetic may act more freely*, J

-10. Four hours after the emetic—from noon till the sun is Tar on in ibe western sky,—two of Grahatne's pills should be given. H. If the patient suffer from constipation, one table spoonful of castor oil should be given. 12. Lemons are excellent to moisten, the lips of the patient, and be may be allowed to drink as much cold water as he pleases. 43. Let those .who have charge of the patient look well to this, that no spirituous liquors touch the lips of the sufferer, for that drink greatly increases the virulence of this fearful malady. Native Office, Auckland, September 27th, 1862.