INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16996, 1 November 1918, Page 4

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

THREE MORE DEATHS.

TRAMWAY STAFF AFFECTED.

The influenza epidemic is still claiming numerous victims, and many business houses are being seriously inconvenienced, owing to the depletion of their staffs. Three more deaths are reported. Mr. George Moore, an auxiliary fireman at tlig • City Fire Brigade station, died on Wednesday night at Ins home in Home bt.-.-t Arch hill, and Private Frederick D. Fitzpatrick, a returned soldier. aged 20, died in the hospital on the same day. This soldier had been suffering from a iung complaint contracted on active service. The third victim was Mi. Norman C. Harris, aged 24", late of the Royal Engineers, who resided at 22, Royal Terrace, Mount Albert. He was employed bv tha Farmers' Union Trading Company. Death, which occurred yesterday, was due to pneumonia, following n.iluw.za. Tin two returned soldiers will be buried with military honours it Waikumete cemetery to day. The hospital staff was further reduced yesterday dv five nurses contracting the trouble There was also a steady demand at the institution for accommodation, but last night it was stated that no beds were available. Sixty-six tramway motormen and conductors were reported il! yesterday, and, fas this number represents about 25 per cent, of the total staff, the tramway company has had to take off several of the special cars in the morn in!; and evening. The company has had a number of men ill for the past fortnight, and has found it very difficult to maintain an efficient service. So far, the ordinary time-table has not been interfered with, but if many more men are affected it may be found necessary to curtail the service. Chemists in the city and suburbs reported yesterday that there was still strong demand for remedies, one shop supplying nearly 700 customers with remedies and preventatives. The chemists' | shops will continue to open from 7 p.m. i until 8 p.m. until further notice.

COPING WITH THE OUTBREAK. PUBLIC ACTION TAKFN. MAYOR CALLS CITIZENS' MEETING A -attended meeting of citizens, convened by the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, in response to a request made by a deputation earlier in the day, was held in toe Council Chamber yesterday afternoon to consider what action should be taken to cope with the influenza epidemic. The Mayor said that without being "panicky" they had to realise their obligations in the interest of public health. Influenza was rapid in its action, and caused considerable inconvenience, and the conditions were unusual. They did not want to alarm the public, but he felt some steps, if possible, should be taken in conjunction with" the hospital and district health authorities to assist sufferers and prevent the spread of the disease. If Dr. Hughes, the district health officer, could make any suggestion", he felt sure the citizens would do all they cou'd to insist those affected. The hospital was full. said Mr. Gunson. He thought that , buildings such as Kilbride and the building at Point Erin Park should be made available for the treatment of patients. He felt it was better to deal with the question now, than have to deal, pernaps, with worse conditions later on. Dr. Hughes said that if extra accommodation. was obtained there would be the difficulty of equipping and staffing other buildings, and with new nurses there would be a danger of them being infected. He suggested that perhaps some of the district nurses might attend to some of the cases and prevent them having to be sent to the hospital. In caseß where a whole household was ill, he thought it would be a good plan to call for volunteers to help with the housework, Few district nurses were available, and they could deal only with the worst cases. Mr. P. M. Mackay considered the disease was the same as that prevalent 25 years ago and known as "la grippe." He thought the general hospital was not the proper place to treat influenza cases, as the inmates there were more liable to contraot the sickness than people in good health. He mentioned that there was an empty ward at the Costley Home with 50 beds, but it would not be fair to the old people to send influenza patients there. The first thing to do was to isolate the serious cases and prevent the disease spreading, and he was of opinion that the schools should be closed and fumigated, and that places of amusement and publio vehicles should be fumigated. Mr. W. J. Holdsworth suggested that the best methods for treating the disease and preventing it spreading should be publicly stated by medical men, as he considered that ignorance was the cause of the epidemic. He also suggested that free medicine should be provided where necessary. Mr.„ G. Davis urged that all ships should be quarantined, and the quarantine station a 1 Motuihi again put into use. Mr. A. J. Entrican Baia he thought the best plan was to try to deal with the epidemic in the homes of those affected, where practical instruction could be given. He had no doubt volunteers would assist in the homes, and mentioned tha great assistance the St. John Ambulance had been to the fire brigade, where 22 out of 25 had been taken ill. Mr. E. F. Andrews, on behalf of the Returned Soldiers' Association, said that, owing to their war service, soldiers were easy victims to the disease. Four soldiers had died since Sunday. Mr. T. Bloodworth suggested that doctors should be relieved from military medical boards, as was being done in England. It was finally resolved that those present should form themselves into a'committee to take such steps as are deemed necessary to help sufferers, and to cope with the epidemic. The following executive, with power to add to its number, was appointed. The Mayor. Messrs. A. J. Entrican, W. J. Holdsworth, E. Lilly, E. Phelan, G. Davis, F. Potter, P. M. Mackay, S. Milroy, and H. P. Killing. A further meeting of the committed will be held at 4 p.m. to-day in the Council Chambers.