THE FLU.

Northern Advocate, 28 September 1918, Page 1

THE FLU.

NOT A NEW FORM. SERIOUS RAVAGES. WELLINGTON, Sefft^. Letters from Sydney state that the epidemic of influenza, known -as "Spanish," has caused some deaths in* "that city. There'is'a.-fear that returning soldiers -have'brought the germ's 6i influenza that has raged through several; countries of Europe and Great Britain...;: The Wellington district hearth officer, Dr. Watt, states that no reports from port health qfncers : have indicated that they have observed any signs of severe "'influenza among passengers As the early symptoms of influenza are similar to those of a common cold, it would be difficult to diagnose incipient influenza without bacteriological examination. Dr. Watt, as the result of reading English authorities, gives it as his opinion that the,'general epidemic-of influenza in "England has been severe, not because the disease is of a new kind, but because war conditions, including diet, have reduced the diseases-resisting strength of the public. The British Medical Journal, of July. 27, states that the influenza epidemic has ..'been on the wane,, both in Britain and. the Continent. Deaths in the Old Country were mostly among the aider patients, with, lungs already diseased. Dr. Watt .Remarked that outbreaks of have occurred in several Zealand during the pasV "'month. "*'. The.,. township of Waiohe, near Dannevirke, was very heavily smitten.' He;-believes that the disease is not a new form of influenza, but a recurrence of an old trouble, which has remained epidemic «ince it reached New Zealand nearly 30 years ago.. i n- ' —-