THE EPIDEMIC

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 14068, 26 November 1918, Page 5

THE EPIDEMIC

BUSY DAY YESTERDAY. For some reason or another there was a recrudescence of the epidemic yesterday. Several deaths were reported and a number of new cases claimed attention. The willing workers simply redoubled their efforts and brought a number of the more severe cases into the various hospitals. The experience emphasises the need of pressure being kept up by those fighting the epidemic and greater care being exercised by both the voluntary nurses and the convalescents. To take risks is to invite trouble. The Mayoress and her helpers had a busy day again yesterday, a large supply of goods being sent out to patients and numerous calls were made by the Voluntary Nurses, also the men from Awapuni Camp. Messrs Nathan and Co.'s Dried Milk Factory of Bunnythorpe has arranged to send in a supply of ten gallons of milk each day to the depot. The assistance of a number of men is required for sitting up with night cases and the Mayor will be glad to ceive the names of those willing to take "on the work. Voluntary women workers are still badly wanted for day work as well as night. Nurse Tin gey, who has done such valuable work "since the opening of the Children's Ward at the Empire Hall, has had to resign owing to illness, and Nurse Elliott has taken over the charge of the Ward. The Mayor and Dr. Whitaker on behalf of the Hospital Board, and Dr. Greig Superintendent,, desire to return their best thanks to Nurse Tingey for the splendid services rendered. Colonel Gabitcs made a special visit to Dannevirke yesterday afternoon to ascertain the local conditions, and as a result has sent further men from Awapuni Camp to assist. The work done in connection with the epidemic by Colonel Gabites, his staff, and the men in camp, will be remembered with gratitude. Urgent calls are coming from the country, and as far as possible nurses are being sent from the Depot to assist for a few hours whenever possible. The Mayor (Mr Ongley) and Mr Bramwcll of Feilding were visitors at the Depot yesterdny afternoon. The Mayor and* Dr. Whitakcr interviewed Mr Chas. Dahl with a request that he should cover in the two ends of the verandah at the Club toi provide additional room for patients convalescing. Although Mr Dahl is without assistance he recognised the urgency of the matter and has promised to complete the work himself to-day. The following donations were received to-day: J. Hanna, £1; W. Baker, £1; Mrs H. Nicholson, £1; Mrs Denney, £1; Mrs O'Rorke, 10s; Mr Mansfield, 2s; E.H., £5; A. Honore, £1; Mrs E. Martin, £5; C. Stichbury, £l. Mr Cook also brought in the following donations from the Glaxo suppliers: W. E. Thomas, £1; A. Gridland, 10s; P. Micrs, ss; G. H. Ransom, £1; Mrs Ransom, 10s; A. Gray, £1 Is; M. Jcpson, ss; J. Gore, 10s; J. Crcahan, 10s; J. Beach, 10s; J.R., 10s Gd; F. McKenzie, 10s; D. Scheidt, 10s; H. Burrell, £1; W.S., ss; W. Tull, 10s; A. Cooper, 10s; C. Gore, 10s; T. Robson, 10s; J. Faulkner, 10s 6d; A. E. Hyde, 10s; P. W. Anderson, 10s; B. P. Jensen. £2; H. Dixon, 10s; F. Setter, £1 Is; R. H. Godfrey, 10s; J, W. Cleverly, 10s. The following donations were inadvertentlv omitted on the 19th: Mrs Chewins, £1; C. E. Shortt, £1; H. Jarvis, £.l Is; J. Lockhart, £2 2s; H. J. Grover, £1 Is; Mrs Mahon, £1 Is; Mrs Kinley, £1 Is; P. Sim, £1; Friend, £1; Mr Toms 2s; Mrs Amner, ss; Mrs Handley, £5; A. W. Kayo, £5; Mrs Hodgson,, ss; Mr J. McCrea, £1; Mrs McCulloch, £1; Mr Mulline, £1 Is; P. Edge, £1; A. Shearsby, £2; Mrs E., £1; Mrs E., 7s (id; Mr Knudson, £2; Mrs A. N. Anderson, £2; J. H Hankins, £1 Is.

The Technical School has been placed at the disposal of the Hospital Board for a further Ward if required.

BACK T© BUSINESS. [Per Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. The influenza position is so much better to-day that business will be renewed to-morrow. WON'T BISK IT. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, Last Night. A meeting of the Waterside Workers Union to-day decided that no work should bo carried out on the locol waterfront till next Monday. It was resolved •that permission be given to discharge the balance of the fruit from the steamer Calm, also the general cargo stowed on top of the Teanau, which arrived from Auckland yesterday, and brought oranges and lemons. The waterside workers discharged these today. POSITION IMPROVED. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Last Night. _ The situation in regard to the epidemic here" has so greatly improved, that Dr Frengley this morning authorised hairdressers and tea rooms to resume business as usual. This subscquentlv countermanded by instructions from the Minister for Public Health.

BLACK [FORTNIGHT. TAUMARAXUI SORELY STRICKEN. [Per Press Association.] TAUMARANTJI. Last Night. Taumarunui has passed ' through a black fortnight. All business hos been disorganised and practically the whole town closed up for several days. Good organisation by the central committee, led by the Mayor saved the situation. There is a great improvement to-day, there being only 28 cases, and none of them serious, against 57 last week, in the temporary hospital ,and 35 in the general hospital. The total number ot cases is 63 against 104 a week ago. There must have been 1000 cases in the borough and three thousand in the district. The deaths in the borough number 45 Europeans and 41 Maoris. A number of lending citizens have taken a, band of workers and faced all odds to save life. In one instance a man was carried on a stretcher from a bush section to the river, and brought up on boat. The only eases now being reported are in outlying districts, where there is much difficulty in getting medicine and help.

THE FAR NOETH. [Per Press Association.] DARGAVELLE, Last Night. The epidemic in the borough is much brighter. Since Friday two Europeans, including Nurse Goodison, and three natives have died. Paparoa reports two deaths to-day, one European and one native. The position at the States Native Settlement at Kapu Point has been bad. Some serious cases have occurred there. Reports from Hokianga district state that 150 cases have been notified. Three deaths have occurred among the natives. There is only one doctor and one nurse. Information states two pahs have been stricken and the Maoris are lying ill everywhere. A special messenger brought in the news this morning, and the local authorities and police are taking prompt action and have communicated with the adjoining counties which are sending assistance. AUCKLAND BECOMING NORMAL. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. According to Dr Frcngley the conditions are fast becoming normal in the city and suburbs, while the reports from the country show a steady improvement. Six deaths occurred, at instiutions yesterday, making 13 for the week end, as against 40 last week. All the new cases are being sent direct to the district hospital, the present intention being to close the three temporory hospitals as soon as the cases have been removed. Absentees at the chief post office today numbered 69. The Arahura which has been delayed for seventeen days owing to the shortage of crew, sailed for Gisborne this evening. GISBORNE IMPROVING. i [Per Press Association.] GISBORNE, Last Night. There is considerable improvement in the influenza epidemic in town, although some of the country districts are still producing numbers of cases. A special train sent to Otoko brought to the hospital fifteen natives belonging to shearing gangs. One victim has since died. It is believed that the disease was contracted at Waimana, Bay of Plenty, and affected men, women and : children. I Among the local deaths ig that of ; George Fyfe Dick, commission agent : ond his wife. Four young children, the | eldest five years and the youngest a week old are left. LOSING ITS GRIP. ALL DAY TRAM SERVICE RESUMED. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Last Night. The tenor of the bulletins from hospitals and throughout the districts today was that the epidemic is losing its grip. Several temporary hospitals have a number of empty beds now. So many tramway men have returned to duty that an all-day service has been provided, though not as frequent as at normal times.

WANG ANTJI CHEERFUL. [Per Press Association.] WANGANUI, Last Night. Reports of influenza continue cheering. Admissions to hospitals have reduced to fourteen to-day. There is a general feeling that the disease is well in hand. A convalescent home has been opened in the racecourse buildings. DUNEDIN IMPROVES. DUNEDIN, Last Night. Dr Bowie states that the situation in regards to influenza has improved so far as the hospital is but it is too early yet to state definitely that the climax has been reached. The number of admissions arc much fewer than yesterday, but the number of deaths is likely to be slightly above the average. 50,000 DEATHS. (Received Monday 1 p.m.) CAPETOWN, Nov. 23. It is officially estimated that 50,000 deaths in South Africa have resulted from influenza. MERCURY A CURB. [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] ATHENS, Nov. 24. Mercurial treatment has been tried for influenza with brilliant results.

TN OTHER CENTRES. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Nov. 25. The Mayor (Mr J. H. Gunson) has wired to the Minister for Health that the Makura, due in a week, has been delayed owing to inilueiiKa. -at coaling ports. '"I hope you will not allow her to berth," adds the Mayor, "until your officers have reported fully to j-ou, and if influenza is on board that you will consider suitable restrictions in regard to quarantine if necessary. The community is very sensitive regarding oversea ships." DUNEDIN, Nov. 25. Notifications to-day for Otago and Southland, excluding Waitaki, were 85. The cases in the Dunedin hospital number 247. The death rate is exceptionally low and not appreciably rising. CHRISTOHURCH, Nov. 25. The week-end deaths from influenza include A. R. Durant, Wellington, hotel-keeper, and owner of the racehorse Sinapis, who won the New Zealand Cup five years ago ; also T. WPrice, jun., and wife. Mr Price was formerly a horse trainer, but for several years has been licensee of an hotel at Hororata. DANNEVIRKE, Nov. 25.

The influenza epidemic so far as Dansevirko is concerned shows a decided improvement, few fresh serious cases being now reported. Since Saturday six Europeans and two natives died, one of the Europeans (a man} cutting his throat while delirious and dying some hours after. ELTHAM, Nov. 25.

The town has escaped the influenza epidemic fairly lightly, early organisation and precautionary measures proving effective. Two temporary hospitals were provided, to which 20 patients have been admitted to date. Only six deaths have been recorded. There are "still several serious cases, but it is believed the crisis has passed and steady improvement is now anticipated. GT-TRISTCHURCH, Nov. 25. All the evidence suggests that the influenza position is improving in tho city end suburbs, also in most of the other districts. Canterbury admissions to the hospitals on Saturday were 26 and on Sunday 27, the deaths for the same days being 14 and 10. The general opinion of those engaged in the campaign is that the crest of the influenza wave was reached last Tuesday, and there has been steady improvement since. NAPIER, Nov. 25.

There are estimated to have been 65 deaths in and around Napier due to influenza, out of over 1000 cases. The position is now satisfactory, few new cases beinj? reported to-day. PAHIATUA, Nov. 25.

Six deaths have taken place since Friday, but the epidemic is now well in hand. Very few cases are coming in, and those are not serious. The relief fund now amounts to £l5O. The Post and Telegraph staff kept tho telephone open all Sunday, which was a great boon to the sufferers and the committee. The, town is closed till Tuesday. AUCKLAND, Nov. 25. Tho four-year-old son of Mr James Scott, of Bayfield road, died from scalding caused through falling mto a copper containing boiling water. SUGGESTIONS BY AN EXPERT IN MALARIAL TROUBLES. Visiting Wanganui just now is a qualified practitioner who has had many years' experience with malarial epidemics in Africa and elsewhere, who says in a note to the Chronicle: All the symptoms of this epidemic in Wanganui are similar to malarial fever. The high temperature, headache, and general body ach f > are quite familiar friends to the person of tropical experience. Just now, when medical men are so scarce and overworked, it is every one's duty to help * themselves, and to guard against, an attack, * as prevention, wo all know, is better than \ cure. The observance of these few hints will prove of value to a great many p<K>plc: Keep the body clean; sleep with windows wide open ; take 1.292 quinine tablets night and morning ; keep the bowels in working order by a mild aperient every day. and drink no water that has not been boded. It is also good to make a practice of drinking at hast two cups of boiled water hot during the clay. When a person begins to -how signs of an attack of malaria (which is only recognised as. "flu" here, which embraces a lot), the wisest course to pursue—and my experience extends over many years in tropical countries —is first a good hot bath, submerge the body in water as hot as can be borne for 10 minutes. Care must be taken to avoid chill in passing from bath to bed. Get your chemist to make up a powder, quinine and aspirin sgrs each, which can be taken with a hot lemon drink, to induce profuse perspiration. The patient had better also sleep in blankets as an aid to this end. After perspiring freely the patient should be rubbed dry, changed and [mi between sheets well aired. Water bottle* at feet to prevent rigors. While the temperature is above normal all drinks should be warm. Nourishment _in the form of barley water with lemonjuice, whev from junket, lemon or orange water, and "no solid food for three or four days, [n (lie ease of stomach pains and vomiting, no solid food should bo taken for two weeks, and only then should the patient be normal for seven days. Albumen water can be administered in cases of severe, retching, a tablespoonful at a time-. Mothers especially should h<> warned jn case of the epidemic from Auckland reaching here, to see their children have plenty of boiled cooled water to drink. 1 trust, Mr Editor, my personal and practical experience may prove of sortie slight service in this very serious time for New Zealand.

ADVICE TO CONVALESCENTS. From every centre of the epidemic come storicg of the fatal effects that follow upon patients leaving their beds too soon. One Palmerston sufferer had got over the worst of his attack and got up to milk a cow. He suffered a relapse and died in a couple of days. In another case a returned soldier disregarded the advice of his attendants and insisted on leaving his bed to attend the funeral of his brother, also a returned soldier. He also caught a fresh chill and died. In several eases tiie relapse came with fatal results to sufferers who got up to see the peace celebrations. Similar incidents are reported from Wellington. A. well-known commercial traveller felt so well 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. Now he lies at Karon. A dentist, who v 'S. "doing nicely" felt good enough to ■ t i;p, and acting on his feelings, he ; ! from bed, moved about the. room night attire, and then thought he woi shave himself. As he shaved a eh had struck home.; septic pneumonia sol in and he died within a few hours, in another case, ;t young man in (lie hardware business rose from bed before he should, and was at the telephone, telling his linn that he would be at work again in the morning, when he collapsed and died within a short time. "Wise people will remain in bed :! least a week after they fell like getting up," said a Wellington medical man in discussing the point. "Quite a

proportion of £he deaths that are oeeurring are 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 then very much against recovery.' NO NEED TO WORRY. REASSURING MEDICAL STATEMENT. Colonel Makgill, District Health Officer, said in order to relieve the minds of many people it was necessary to stress the following points:— Death from influenza occurring in a community did not necessarily mean that the disease was especially severe in the locality. Some persons were much more prone than others to be affected by various types of infection which on average person might take in a comparatively mlid form. Pneumonia was much more infectious than influenza. There was certain forms of pneumoic complications which were more universally severe. Ordinarily a person infected with such organisms would be very ill, but every severe case of influenza was not due to such harmful

organisms. With regard to death, the department found that many persons were frightened to touch the body or even go near it. This nervousness was quite unnecessary. After death from influenza or pneumonia, the organisms of such diseases rapidly ceased to be dangerous. It was, however, necessary for other sanitary reasons to dispose of the body as quickly as possible. The discolouration of the bodies which had been assumed to be evidence of the effects of "black plague" or other medieval conditions which were commonly found in the case of death from pneumonic complications in acute fevers. Like measles, influenza was chiefly infectious in the early stage. The organisms appeared to vanish after convalescence had been established, and when the temperature had been normal for several days the sputum and breath were quite free from infection. Special precautions might have to be taken not so much against influenza as against organisms which accompanied influenza. Therefore patients who had suffered from complications were treated with nasal douching before being discharged.

SIMPLE DIRECTIONS. HOW TO ACT. FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE. First tepid sponge face and then body, keeping body covered except part being sponged. Keep the bed linen as clean as possible, doors and windows open, but keep patient out of draught. Delirious cases: Hot compress to feet; cold compress to , head. Apply compress to feet first. Bleeding: Cold compress to back of neck, and raise patient's head, not feet. Pneumonia: Hot compress on back between shoulders, which must be kept hot FOR HELPERS. Kep smiling. Enquire how long patient has been ill. When enter room open window. Instruct people re cleanliness, bowels, etc. Take temperature, if possible; do not put thermometer into hot water, but us c disinfectants. If temperature high, cough, and blood-stained mucus, report at once to doctor. Do not allow patient up till thermometer normal night and morning. Carry in your bag small bottle of disinfectant, e.g., Jeycs', Condy's lysol, etc., for hands and thermometer (if able to take temperature), bottle of disinfectant tablets for throat, lemon and oranges if possible. Recommend gruel, milk puddings, broth, jelly; no solid food; can have sips of cold water, lemon or orange drinks, or weak tea, milk and water, barley water. Any cases known as alcholic always pay particular attention to symptoms. If any inhalation chamber is near, use it. FOR PATIENTS. Bed at once. Windows wide open. If no help communicate with the Red Cross headquarters. Attend at once to bowels, castor oil at once, then salts, cascara, or other laxative if necessary after first day. Food: Milk foods, barley water, lemon drinks, oranges, weak tea, gruel, raw eggs and milk (if you have no one to make any of these foods let committee know. Stay in bed until quite recovered from attack. Always enquire about food supply.