THE SMALLPOX OUTBREAK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12281, 27 May 1903, Page 6

THE SMALLPOX OUTBREAK.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

Chbistctiurcit. Tuesday. Bell, the smallpox patient at Quail Island, is still improving, and the health of the other persons on the island is good.

With reference to the supposed case of the railway platelayer, Dr. Finch saw Cousins this afternoon. He says that there is absolutely 110 change in the patient's condition, and expresses no opinion as to what he is suffering from. No arrangements have been made for the patient's removal to the hospital. This evening there was no change in Cousins' condition, and hopes are entertained in Lyttelton that his case may prove not to be smallpox. This morning a Lascar seaman on the Gracchus, one of those left 011 board to take care of the vessel, was ill, hut his symptoms were not sufficiently pronounced to enable a decision as to the nature of the case to be arrived at. In the evening it was reported that the sick Lascar had not developed any distinctive symptoms of smallpox. Should it be necessary to isolate him he will be landed 011 Quail Island, placed in a tent and kept under observation. A couple of tents have been procured in readiness for this course. " ■

In order to facilitate the loading of the Gracchus she was taken in tow by the tug Lyttelton and shifted about % mile further up the harbour this afternoon.

Wellington, Tuesday. In view of the case of smallpox discovered at Bunedin, the Public Health Department has issued a circular letter to the Mayors of the various towns of the colony, directing that everything should be in readiness to meet possible danger in case the disease spreads further.

Ouvkdt.v. Tuesday. The owner and occupier of the house quarantined owing to the lady passenger by the Gracchus suffering from alleged .smallpox vigorously protests that the case is not one of smallpox. He says the lady on landing developed symptoms of malarial fever, from which she had previously suffered in India. Two doctors attended her, and Dr. Ogston also saw her, and there was no suspicion of smallpox. The rash was no more than ordinary spots developed in malarial fever. When Dr. Valentine saw her she was almost in perfect health, considering the illness she li-id undergone. The high temperature had disappeared, and her appetite was good. All this happened in a few days. Dr. Valentine, in reply, says he has 110 doubt, whatever that the case was one of smallpox in a modified form, and where the possibilities are so serious, the Department could not take the risk of acting in any other way than it has done. Later. An inspection of the contacts with the Gracchus, v.ho were vaccinated, was carefully made as the period of incubation of the disease is about expiring, and so far none show signs of sickness. The lady passenger by the Gracchus is regaining health rapidly, but it will be 10 dars yet before the quarantine on the house is removed. Steps are being taken to prepare Quarantine Island for the reception of any case if one occurs.