THE EPIDEMIC.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1387, 20 November 1918, Page 5

THE EPIDEMIC.

THE OUTLOOK STILL IMPROVING. PANICKY STATEMENTS DEPRECATED. Tho weather is proving the, grcatost hindrance to the recovery of patients suffering from influenza, tho muggy heat of tho last few days with tho colder winds prevailing at times during the day, and especially towards evening, being treacherous influences that must bo guarded against, and that emphasise the need 'for cuution on tho pan, of these who aro toileted to get about 100 soon after suffering from tho disease. At the same time the progress roports received by the block committees continue to be of a re-assuring character, ferwer fresh cases being reported to-day and tho severer cases noted being attributable mainly to relapses caused by the patients .getting about too soon. It i 3 a great pity that so many people lend themselves to the circulation of reports concerning the ravages of the j disease that are almost if not entirely do-

void of foundation, and that merely tent to accentuate the alarm frit by some timor ous persons. There have- been grossly ex aggeratcd reports, for instance, concerning the position at Auckland and in other centres, and hints have been dropped that the country is being scourged by tho ''black plague" and so on. The dissemination of such reports may easily work incalculable mischief. This morning Dtf. Whitaker and the Mayor, in consultation with Dr. Baniett, decided to use the Soldier's Club for a women's temporary ward, instead of the Oddfellows' Hall, a s was first suggested. If the overflow at tho Public Hospital still continues, it may be advisable at the Club promises to take some of tho male cases in the lower rooms, but this will bo considered by Dr. Barnott.

The .Mayor reports to-day that ho received numerous requests last night for helpers to come and stay at patients' homes during sickness. After a good deal of trouble he was able to supply the help needed, but no less than four workers reported that they were not required. As it is almost impossible to take night cases, the Mayor asks that only applications of a most urgant kind should be made With the experience gained and t-lio improved organisation, the Mayor thinks "that, the epidemic, so far as the town is concerned, is now on the down grade, ' but country cases are on the- increase. The Mayoress requests people, taking away fcod from the depot to return tho vessels as quickly as possible, as these arc urgently required for refilling. The Mayoress also informs us that Ijho children's ward at the Empire Hall has "been connected by telephone to-day. There- are now 30 children in tho ward under the care of Nurse Tingey. Dr. Whitaker again urges that on no account, should the precautious already enjoined o 1 the public being in no way relaxed. It is essential in all cases that tine following procedure should be strictly followed: (1) Absolute cleanliness, (?,) light bed clothing consistent with warmth, (3) the emptying and disinfecting of all utensils after use; (4) opening windows.; (5) airing* rooms; (0) spraying patients with tepid water when feverish, quickly drying, and laying tho patient in blankets if possible. Speaking of the number of cases reported to-day, Dr. Whitaker said they were lessening in severity and number, and the epidemic coidd be regarded with comparative equanimity With regard to women's work in the future, the doctor strongly emphasisel the fact that, as the result of recent investigations, all women must, have some training in nursing, so as to Ikj better fitted for the demands of our social life. That training should be imperative for every woman, irrespective of class or social status. About 900 pcoplo passed through the Opera House inhalation chamber yesterday, and -100 took advantage of it up to noon today. Among the many willing workers in connection with the depot, the valuable assistance rendered by members of tho Army Medical Corps from the Awapuiu" Camp cannot bo over-stated. At a representative meeting of the Retailers' Association held last evening, at the Borough Council Chambers, it was decided, on tho motion of Mr L. H. Collinson, who presided, that retail establishment*, will observe the following hours of business on Thursday and Friday, of from 1 to 5.30 p.m., and on Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. A suggestion was made by Mr Spooner that some arrangement might be made to release the business staffs at present engaged in alleviating- sickness, bo that business might shortly be resumed. This question was referred to tho respective superintendents of the seven visiting blocks, who were to confer and report at tho end of this week. Although some difference of opinion was expressed as to the methods employed in relieving the distress caused by the malady, it was generally regarded that the work had proved effective in arresting further serious developments. Tho Retailers' Association intimates that on Thursday and Friday local shops will bo open from 1 to 5.30 p.m., and on Saturday from '.. to 6 p.m. Rimmer's store is being kept open, excepting between 12.30 and 1.30. when it is closed for lunch. Official notice is given that all banks will close until Wednesday morning next. Tho Mayor inserts an official notice requesting local residents to continue disinfecting their premises daily until further notice.

Dr. Miller, who had been laid aside by the influenza, has now recovered, and resumed his practice. A correspondent urges that steps should bo taken by the banks to disinfect notes and other money. The process, indeed, ho says, could be carried out by people in their own homes and business places. Now that influenza is prevalent, our correspondent considers that his suggestion should be acted upon for obvious reasons.

AN AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT. In face ol such reports bacteriological mid medical experts in Dunedin have issued the following authoritative statement showing that tho panicky statements in circulation are absolutely unfounded: Statements have appeared i" the public press that cases of pneumonic plague liuvo recently occurred in Dunedin. We liavo no reason whatever to suppose that there havo boen any cases of pneumonic plague in New Zealand in connection with the present, outbreak of influenza. The bacteriology of tho world-wide epidemic is quito distinct from that of pneumonic plague, and though tho condition is one that requires careful precautionary measures, only harm can bo dono by panicky statements which havo no scientific foundation W. P.'GOWLANU. President Otago Division British Medical

Association. D. COLQUIIOUN. Professor of Medicine, Otago University. 8. T. CHAMPTALOUP, Profcsosr of Bacteriology and Public Health, Otago University J. T. BOWIE, Acting Medical Superintendent, Dunedin Hospital. E. FARIS. District Health Officer. ASHHURST. A largo number of residents of the Ashhurst district are suffering from influenza and a number of serious cases have gone into hospital. Threo deaths havo occurred. A relief committee has been set up to administer aid to the sufferers, consisting of Mr «T. If. Vincent, Mr Alex. MeHardy, Mr T. Hart and Constable Dunphy, a number of ladies assisting them. Mr Vincent's offices are the headquarters of the organisation, and those willing to assist are requested to send in their names, while broth, barley wator, lemons and other comfort? will be gladly received.