THE EPIDEMIC.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1388, 21 November 1918, Page 5

THE EPIDEMIC.

SITUATION MUCH EASIER. Tho situation so far as ilie epidemic is concerned is again easier to day. \\ bile many ol the sufferers still require careful attention, Dr. Whitaker considers that the epidemic as far as the Borough is concerned is well under control. There should, however, he no relaxation of the precautions already advised for combating the disease, and the public are strongly urged to exercise the greatest care and to observe cleanly habits in every way. It is encouraging to learn that the medical men are all freer to-day, and 100 much praise cannot he given them for the self sacrificing efforts made during the epidemic. At the Children’s Ward, located at the Empire Hull, most of the patients are improving, and six children are sufficiently recovered to be taken away when their parents are able to send for them. The Mayoress and her many willing helpers are still busy providing relief to the, invalid population, and there is evvry indication of a loyal and self-sacrificing spirit on the part of one and all engaged in (he work.

Mr 11. 0. Bagnall, tho secretary of the Helpers’ League, would welcome the assistance of any boys who have bicycles to set as messengers. Women accustomed to nursing are also wanted, and especially those who can undertake night duty. One of the busiest men just now is the Mayor, who is always being appealed to for-help, the calls coming from all sections of the community. He is using every effort to successfully stamp out, the malady, while motor ear owners and a loyal band of anxious volunteers are also assisting in every way to suppress the evil amonght ns. Among those suffering from the prevailing epidemic are several constables stationed in the country districts of the Palmerston North police area. Many of the senior officers of tho Palmerston North Post and Telegraph services are also absent from duty owing to influenza, and the work is being carried out under trying circumstances. In the Defence Department several members ol the.stall' are similarly affected. One particularly encouraging feature in connection with the band of workers who daily visit the invalid population of Palmerston North is that a local doctor calls on every case. This follows after a report has been furnished to the depot by the visitor. In cases of doubt or difficulty, the public should communicate direct with the depot, and attention will then be forthcoming.

Tho Kairanga County Council held an informal meeting this morning, at which it was decided that tho Councillors in the several ridings should undertake the relief work of their respective districts, and that people wanting supplies should, in cases of emergency, be asked to communicate by telephone (No. 687) to Mr Wright, (he county engineer, who will endeavour to get supplies ol medicine, etc., to sufferers from tho epidemic. Of twelve women patients at the Soldiers’ Club, six, who were regarded as severe case's, arc now progressing satisfactorily under Nurse Carter, who is in charge. Six male patients in the hospital on the ground floor of the building are also making satisfactory progress. At the Opera House inhalation chamber about 400 people passed through today. There is an increasing number who take advantage of the apparatus daily.

.MORTALITY AMONG MAORIS. Two deaths from influenza have occurred at Motuiti. the victims being Mrs Hera Kula, aged about 80, and her daughter. .Mrs Rang! Kimura. aged 40. Practically all the Maoris at Motuiti are affected, ALL TANGIS PROHIBITED. “Tho epidemic appears to bo levying a sad toll on the native race,” said tho Hon. G. W. Russell, .Minister for Public Health, on Friday. “All tho information that comes to the Department regarding the Maori districts is of a somewhat distressing character. In consequence of large tangis having been arranged for, it has now been resolved to prohibit all tangis and to order those who have assembled-for them to at once return to their homes. The Minister for Railways has also been requested to refuse passage by railway to persons who are proceeding to tangis, and the necessary regulation will be issued at once by the. health authorities to prohibit Maoris for tangis travelling cither by railway or steamer, or any other vehicle. It is not intended, however, to interfere in any way with, members of the native race who wish to travel for ordinary business purposes.”

“Hone,” in tho Foxton Herald on the influenza epidemic Worry bad to flu, Lot of Maori got it Mouiti and Matakarapa —■ cross to river, To Maori don t know what lie goin’ to do. When ho pad ho go in to w hari' Newer open to window, and to dog and all to utter phollor walk in and out. Newer get to disinfoc. He no tike to smell to disinfoc but ho get to smell all to rubbish about to pah. 1 link Dr. Pomare must get lc nurse and to man to burn up all to rubbish about to pah, and look after to Maori. Werra, 1 must go now get some disinfoc for myself. “Grannie” writes to a contemporary: “This shortage of lemons for tho sick is a serious matter. I am very anxious the public should know through your columns that limojuicc is very nearly, if not quite, as beneficial as lemons or oranges, and for tho poor very much cheaper. _ Thirty-five years ago limejuice was the principal beverage; in cases of rheumatic fever, or any feverish complaint. I have told many people in past years of tho remedy, and one and all have found much relief from limejuicej well diluted with water hot or cold. Taken hot it produces a profuse perspiration.

THE GLOBED BANKS. At an emergency meeting of the Executive of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, hold this morning, it was decided to send a, telegram of protest to tho Minister for Finance against tho closing of the banks without adequate notice to tho public, and representing the inconvenience occasioned (hereby, together with a request that they should bo re opened for business for several hours earli day.

DON’T GET lIP. A WARNING TO UNTHINKING PEOPLE. “Wise, people Will remain in heel at least a week after they feel like getting up,’’ said a medical man to a Dominion reporter yesterday. “Quite a proportion of the deaths that are occurring arc due to serious relapses on the part of the people, who will get up as soon as they feel themselves picking up. That is the maddest folly. The slightest chill, perhaps imperceptible to the patient, brings on the disease in its very worst form, and the chances are very much against recovery.” Stories tumble over one another in support of the above opinion, A well-known commercial traveller felt that well one day this week that he not only persisted in getting up, but went for a walk down town, against the advice of those- near and dear to him. Ho now lies at Karori. A dentist, who waS “doing nicely,” felt good enough to get up, and, acting on his feeling&-oftcn so deceptive with sick folk—ho rose from his bed, moved about his room in light attire, and then .thought he would shave himself. As ho shaved a chill had struck homo; septic; pneumonia set in, and he died within a few hours. In another case a young man in the hardware business ros - from his bed before he should, and was at the telephone telling his firm that he would he at work again in the morning, when he collapsed and dud within-a-, short time. The wisdom of he ojng in b d till all danger i: or r is fit hj that it was suggested at yesterday’s rne I ing of the Citizens’ Vigilance Committee tlu-it Ihe public; should he warned not to take such risks.

DOWN THE LINE.

OTAKI, Nov. 20. The backbone of the epidemic appears to bo broken, and only-three new cases have been admitted to the temporary hospital. Tho patients at the latter place are doing well. Messrs Bright, Harper, and R. F. Smith, who have been dangerously ill, are recovering. Employees of the Otaki Town Board are disinfecting every house in tho Board’s area, leaving no stone unturned to rid the town of a dread disease. Mr Stewart Mackenzie, dentist, Levin, is a sufferer from the epidemic. The epidemic in Levin is, according to Dr. Elizabeth Bryson, on the wane. There arc but few severe cases. The vicarage at Foxton, where there are a number of cases, had been converted into a temporary hospital. (P*n Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Nov. 21. The gradual decline in tho severity of the epidemic continues. The deaths in hospital from midnight on Tuesday to ID o’clock last night totalled fourteen.