THE SMALLPOX OUTBREAK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12282, 28 May 1903, Page 6

THE SMALLPOX OUTBREAK.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] CrmiSTCHtmcH, Wednesday. Dr. Finch, the district health officer, was informed last evening that a suspicious case had occurred at Springfield, near the terminus of the Midland railway. He want up there to-day and examined the patient, a. girl, six or seven years old, the daughter of a man employed on the railways works, and together with the local doctor came to the conclusion that the case was not one of smallpox, but more likely to be chickenpox. So far as is known the patient has had no connection in any way with the Gracchus, or with the port of Lyttleton. The case of the Lascar on the Gracchus is not smallpox. He is supposed onlv to be suffering from the fumes of disinfectants. Cousins, the Lyttelton patient, has developed no further symptoms of smallpox. His condition is unchanged. At a meeting of the Hospital Board, the chairman read a letter from Dr. Valentine, suggesting that the Board should immediately erect a corrugated iron building for the reception of four patients, the structure to be placed on runners to facilitate its removal to any desired locality. The City Council would defray the cost, which would amount to .about £250. The chairman said this meant an expenditure of £250 on a mere scare. Other members spoke strongly against the erection of a smallpox hospital in the neighbourhood of Christchurch. It was resolved that the health officer's recommendation be carried out, the proposed buildings to be placed at a safe distance from the present ones, and the infectious diseases hospital now in process of erection not to be used for • contacts. Dr. Valentine arrived from Dunedin tonight. Fifteen medical students in Dunedin have volunteered for service in any part of the colony under Dr. Valentine," should their services be required in connection with the outbreak of disease. Dunedin, Wednesday. There are no developments in connection with the smallpox scare except that a very large number of persons are being vaccinated. The lady passenger by the Gracchus, who has been pronounced as having had a mild attack of smallpox, is progressing favourably. The health authorities are now fairly sanguine that the community has, escaped further infection from the Gracchus.