WELLINGTON ORGANISATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17007, 14 November 1918, Page 6

WELLINGTON ORGANISATION

ALL HOSPITALS OVERTAXED. EPIDEMIC NOW SERIOUS. [BY telegraph.— ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. I The serious nature of the influenza epidemic in Wellington has caused a great rush for medical specifics for prevention oi cure. Hospitals, public ana private, I are overtaxed, and the staffs themselves | are seriously depleted. A shortage of I doctors and nurses is a serious feature of the outbreak, as it means that many of the hundreds of sufferers cannot receive skilled' attention. Yesterdav telephonic communication was restricted so much that it caused great inconvenience. The telegraph and telephone staffs are suffering from heavy reductions in their personnel through the epidemic The Mayor is appealing to citizens for assistance in nursing and caring for afflicted people. Mr. P. Eraser, M.P., yesterday toured the poorer quarters of the city, and found ir.any cases lacking attention. In some instances adults irere being cared for by children. The Minister for Health stated that no expense would be spared, and it is hoped that voluntary organisations will be formed to deal instantly with urgent cases, Inhalation chambers in the city are being largely used by the public, but it is urged that more are needed.

CAMPS QUARANTINED. EVERY PRECAUTION TAKEN. [by TEI/.'GHAi'H.— association ] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Replying to Dr. A K. Newman (Wellington East) in the House of Representatives this afternoon, Sir James Allen 4-: id that even' precaution was being taken to prevent the spread of influenza among soldiers. Tae camps had been quarantined tnd no soldlars were allowed out of camp who should not be allowed out. The Minister gave an emphatic denial to a rumour that patients in Featherston cam*> were not being well treated. Everything possible was being done for them.

GBEYMOUTH AFFECTED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] GREYMOUTH, WednesdayThe influenza epidemic here is serious. Seven hospital nurses are down, and the hospital is overcrowded. There are several serious cases. Twenty-three members of the postal staff are ill with the diiease. SOUTH AFRIQAN DEATH ROLL. TOTAL TO DATE OYER 50,000. A. and N Z. CAPETOWN, Nov. 12. Statistics have been published snowing that over 60,000 deaths from ' influenza occurred in South Africa and Rhodesia, of which 7000 are whites.

OASES ON ]?IJI STEAMERS. EIGHTY PATIENTS IN SYDNEY. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Nov. 13. Eighty hospital cases of influenza are in quarantine from the steamer Atua, recently from Fiji via Auckland. One European and three native members of the crew succumbed. So far no cases outside ordinary influenza are reported ashore.