THE MAORI EPIDEMIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15390, 27 August 1913, Page 11

THE MAORI EPIDEMIC.

AN M.P.'S INVESTIGATIONS.

BAY OF ISLANDS DISTRICT.

DISEASE WIDESPREAD.

OVER TWO THOUSAND CASES.

FAILURE OF THE LYMPH.

INEFFECTIVE PRECAUTIONS.

Some interesting statements were made in regard to the prevailing epidemic by Mr. Vernon Reed, M.P., last evening, on his return from the Bay of Islands. He was especially emphatic with regard to the ineffectiveness of the lymph supplied to the local practitioners, and during his visit he had an opportunity to consult with various doctors on this subject.

"In response to letters received from the North while I was attending Parliament," said Mr. Reed, "I visited the Kaikohe and surrounding districts with a view to investigating on the spot the seriousness of the smallpox outbreak. I interviewed the medical practitioners in the various districts, the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board authorities, and a number of reputable Maoris. After exhaustive • inquiries I was compelled to come to the conclusion that the disease had now become widespread, and was racing along amongst the Maoris practically unchecked.

"I am satisfied that I am safe in saying that there have been well over 2000 cases already, and that there have been •many deaths recently from the disease unrecorded. The epidemic has become confluent, and, in some cases, malignant, and some of the worst cases yet observed are being treated in the isolation hospital at Kaikohe. Some patients who have just been discharged, and others now in hospital, will be badly pitted for life. The hospital has about 50 cases, but there are hundreds of cases still outside. The disease, in many places, has run its course through whole tribes, attacking all except the few who were vaccinated. "- Ineffective Lymph. As stated, Mr. Reed had conversations with more than one medical man concerning the lymph supplied by the Health Department. When asked the opinions expressed, Mr. Reed was emphatic in his statements. " The medical men in the district have worked exceedingly hard," he said, "and the most deplorable setback they received was caused by the ineffectiveness of - tht lymph supplied them. In this connection one doctor told me he usually expected 95 per cent, of successful vaccination);, but during this epidemic his best record was under 20 per cent. In many cases he did not get a single ' take* out of 30 or 40 patients treated. All the doctors have had the same experience,, and it is now very disheartening to them to see scores of patients unsuccessfully vaccinated struck down with smallpox. - "Up to the present successful vaccination has proved a preventative. Many instances are recorded 1 of whole' families having been infected except those who had been vaccinated. In vaccinated persons there is immunity from the disease. How much longer this will be so, however, depends upon how much more virulent the disease-becomes. The hospitarrstaff'has worked heroically under trying y circum-, stances. v.',v : :';: '■' : '' ? .'■■VO Doctors' Difficult Work. "The doctors every day, wet or fine—. and up to the present it has mostly been wet, and very wet at —ride out across country in different directions in search of patients. As these patients are usually found in the bush the doctors are having a rough time. Dr. Cawkweil is in charge of the camp and Dr. Te Rangihiroa, M.P., and Dr. Duncan have been assisting him. The latter, however, has now returned to Hanmer Springs. "The nurses are having an equally hard time in their work. ■ The disease is most loathsome. A Maori's wardrobe is limited, and" the nurses find it difficult to replace the nightshirts and sheets, that have to be burnt after only a short use. 111-Timed Jesting. 'It is a pity the Auckland people ridiculed Dr. Valintine's appeal for old clothes for if old nightshirts and sheets were given it would relieve the sufferings of many natives in hospital just now. Some old clothes hav arrived and were much appreciated, but it was an ill-timed joke on the part of the donors of dress suits and evening dresses. The doctors, nurses, and sanitary inspectors are dping yeoman [ service, but it is v impossible for them to do more than attend to the actual sufferers. That is absolutely necessary work, but it decs not stop the spread of the disease. ' ; No Organised Campaign. "At the present time there is no organised campaign with a view to the suppression of the complaint. The only means of doing this is by vaccination and fumigation, and preventing the Maoris from travelling. The proclamation in respect to the last is fairly effective, as the Maoris are co-operating in its observance." "Vaccination is carried out spasmodically on account of there being *n insufficiency of medical men, and fumigation is unknown. I was disappointed in finding that so many Europeans wore apathetic and ready to doubt that the malady was smallpox. This lias been caused by some doubts being expressed by a few medical men and has brought about a carelessness, especially in regard to vaccination. We know it is a loathsome and dangerous disease, and that vaccination ie a protective, and it would be much better if every energy would be put into its eradication and the question of its name left, for scientific discussion laterif any scientific men then doubt the form of the malady. "The disease, in some cases is now malignant, and there is a general indication of its growing virulence. It is stated that there are not 50 per cent, of persons in the peninsula vaccinated. As each unvaccinated person is a menace to the community, the danger the whole Dominion is running by allowing the disease to remain a day longer than- necessary can be seen. I am firmly convinced the trouble could be eradicated in a few weeks if taken in hand on the proper lines. Suggested Precautions. "What is wanted is the immediate establishment of more isolation hospitals similar to the one at Kaikohe, so as to effectively isolate every case. The whole peninsula should then be marked off in areas, with a view to compulsorily vaccinating every Maori and half-caste. Within each area a qualified person, with the assistance of a reputable Maori and an inspector or constable, could be made responible for complete vaccination. Within the same area an inspector also assisted bv a reputable native, should fumigate aft infected houses, and burn down all infected.' nikau or paling whares. The native owners could be compensated. A sufficient number of persons should be put on to this work to complete the whole inside a month, and I believe there would then only remain for attention the treatment of the persons then infected. Fears of Medical Men. "The opinion of the medical men on the spot," he said in conclusion, "is that the disease has reached in some cases the malignant form, and if allowed to go unchecked as at present, will become so virulent that it will run through the European population. • "It has been with difficulty that cases ha •© been located, as in/any patients were

hidden away; by ' their relatives in the heart of tho bush. It is thought that many unrecorded deaths - have taken place in this way. One inspector told me he had just found about a dozen natives, including two suffering severely from smallpox, in a small whare of one room."

SUSPICIOUS CASE IK CITY.

REMOVED TO POINT CHEVALIER.

After 17 clear days the Public Health authorities were notified of a suspicious case of sickness in the city : yesterday afternoon. The suspect was a young male European, living with his family in Upper Queen Street, near Karangahape Road. Although it could not be ascertained definitely whether his ailment was smallpox or not, the case was regarded as very suspicious, and he was at once removed to the isolation ' hospital for observation, while his family were immediately quaran- j tined in the house, which they will not be allowed to leave until permission -is granted by the health authorities. Ninr more patients were discharged from Point Chevalier yesterday. Fiftyone inmates have now been discharged, and 42 are still in the hospital. Out. of the total number of 93 who have been admitted, there has. been only one death, which is regarded ■ as highly satisfactory, and also as an indication of the mildness of the outbreak. Another batch of convalescent inmates will probably be discharged at the end of the week., . • . With regard to the : position in t the North, notification was received yesterday that two Maoris had been admitted to the Kaikohe Isolation Hospital, -and- a case, also a Maori, wag reported from Otiria. A case of chickenpox has been discovered in a schoolmaster's house in >. Whangarei, and the occupants of the bouse have been isolated. All other reports received ■ from outlying districts yesterday were stated to be of a reassuring , nature. <- ' ' ; The district health officer desires to acknowledge the receipt of a quantity .of clothing from the lady members of the Victoria League. " ' ' : ' ■' ' _ -.

VACCINATION 01" PASSENGERS.

POSITION OF BRITISH M.P-'S.

No vaccination operations were r performed on the Makura on her arrival I from Vancouver yesterday; A statement by the Chief Health Officer had given ..the •impression that the regulations applied to the steamers in the Sydney service were' to be extended to passengers arriving at Auckland from Canada, and some interest in the matter was created by the cabled report that three members of the - British i Parliamentary party had expressed objections to vaccination, and declared that they would not submit to : the operation. Respecting their attitude, Dr. Valintine stated that the regulations could riot,; be relaxed, and that unless the three members accepted the position they would not be allowed to land. .• J This attitude was not maintained by the Health Department, for v the following letter from the District ■ Health Office was received by the port' health'officer, ; Dr. E. W. Sharman, on .. Monday ',? evening:— "Instructions ; have been received ; from, Wellington that the English' Parliamentary; party (s.s Makura) are: to be allowed, to land without* being vaccinated, if ; they so desire. .';-':'.' It is to be ; pointed out to? them that before leaving for Sydney they ; must either be vaccinated or produce the necessary certificate ; of Arecenfe- vaccination, or of at leash two unsuccessful attempts aat vaccination, so fus to conform with S the agreement made between the New Zealand/ Government and ; 'the "I.Commonwealtfl. authorities." ; Until the subject came into discussion a few days ago, there was no suggestion: that the vaccination regulations should ibe applied to vessels coming from Vancouver, though the - Department maintained that the epidemic originated in the northern part, of America. Dr. ; Sharman j3tat U last evening .that, the , only instructions previously given to him > regarding > the medical, inspection : : of ; passenger steamers were dated ; July 3. ; -- These instructions',; which; were published i a;, few} days: later, : referred, only to vessels—including the steamers of the Vancouver • service—arriv-' ing, at Auckland from . Sydney. Under these instructions the port health-officer had no authority to vaccinate, or to require proof ojf \ vaccination, from passengers arriving - from !■ Vancouver. ':* Consequently, the medical inspection ; which he made on the Makura yesterday was no more extensive, than is considered sufficient in ordinary. circumstances.:;-■;. The : <. vaccination of passengers leaving the ;•'; ship At Auckland was not suggested to them,' though Dr. Sharman took pains to explain the position which would confront those people intending to. leave for Sydney J from any New Zealand port." - ' CHICEENFOX IN WHANGABEI. CASE NOT REPORTED. * [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ? Whangarei, Tuesday. A fresh casei.' of chickenpox " has V been located in Whangarei Borough, the patient being , a European—a little V girl who '■! was residing with one of i the teachers at the Whangarei public school. : It appears that, owing to some unexplained reason, the ; case was. not ' notified until the child was approaching i the convalescent stage. The usual precautionary methods have now been adopted, and the household has been isolated. REMOVAL OF ISOLATION. GAMP. RELIEF IN MORRINSVILLE. ■ ■■• ■" : -: •.'•.'■"'■: ""--i"•"--"'■■'".'■-;■;.'■"' / ''":-\'' : : ■;.■■*:.'■■.•■-:■'■■■'.;;-'.'.■ ."-; ■'s-'yA ■;■ •/:'■. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] / :Morbinsvtlle. Tuesday. Dr. Valintine visited the isolation catnip on. Sunday. .\; As a result jof ? his visit the camp has been broken up and the patiente are being removed to another camp near, Hamilton. A feeling of relief is manifest at the removal of the institution. There have been no : fresh cases;:'. for nearly a fortnight, and apparently the diseaso is stamped out here. ; '