INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17011, 19 November 1918, Page 6

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

FURTHER, IMPROVEMENT.

DISEASE UNDER CONTROL.

DANGER NOT YET OVER.

GROUND GAINED MUST BE HELD.

There was further evidence yesterday that the influenza epidemic is on the wane, and that the various organisations are capably dealing with the position. For tiro first time since the temporary hospitals were opened there were vacant beds available last night. While it is not suggested that all the serious cases have been admitted, the increasing number of convalescents, and the provision for their reception at other, institutions, will ensure beds being available for cases which may develop. The deaths at the hospitals from midnight until 10 o'clock last night numbered 16, as compared with 18 for the,preceding 24 hours. The removal of convalescents was continued yesterday, and the 65 h6ds at St. Josephs Convalescent Home are now occupied. It\has now been decided to'equip the buildings at the Ellerßlie racecourse for the accommodation of further convalescent patients. Mr. William Wallace, chairman of the Hospital Board, is to confer with a committee • of the Auckland .Racing Club this morning, with a view to completing the arrangements for the reception of patients. Captain Thomas, who hag supervised and carried out the equipping of the other temporary hospitals, has already taken steps to.secure the necessary beds and ether material. Sister Snell has offered her Services for this new home, and it is understood that the ladies of Eemuera will provide the required help.

Government Home' Proposal. An effort was made by the Hospital Board to secure Government House *» » convalescent " home, "but, owing to the delay in getting a satisfactory reply from Wellington, it was decided yesterday to drop the proposal and take advantage of the Auckland Racing Club's offer,of the Ellersli* buildings. The application fox Government House was made by telegram on Saturday morning, ' and a reply was received from the Hon. ;; G. W. Russell that the request had been referred to the Prune Minister for consideration. , Lata yesterday afternoon the following telegram was received from the Minister for Public Health;- v r v f v U: " I have pleasure'in informing you that immediately upon of the present epidemic becoming known His Excellency the liovernor-General expressed a wish that ;if any good use could be found for Government House it,was. to be at;one*;; made available to use for any purpose .which the authorities might "'consider sdesirable.! This having been communicated to. me, I have had pleasure in accepting the gracious offer of His Excellency, and : have informed him that! the use of 'Government House would be of most*, value ;«s a temporary hospital \ for Influenza convalescents. Before any action i.< taken a representative of-the Hospital Board will please confer with the .district engineer. Public -Works Department, and the health officer as regards preparing it for use as a home. This committee will acti throughout the : occupation of the building. ,j The caretaker will also be notified, -arid-; ; Wore any action is taken the committee will wire report'and proposals ! to mV direct.''■ '^ : 'r' : ' :t

Mr. Wm. Wallace, chairman Of the Hospital Board, replied yesterday evening thai owing to the delay in the reply to his telegram of Saturday, and the urgency of the matter, the > board ? had ? been compolled. to make-other arrangement*, Mr.. Wallace) stated in his telegram that, the Auckland Racing Club had placed at the disposal ; of the board all their buildings and equipment at the Ellerslie racecourse, and in addition had donated £50 to the board. [ ' ' So Relaxation of Effort. •

The progress of the patients in the MisIsion Hall *' at I the Sailors' Home r far • reported to be satisfactory,: .There are now, 28 patients, and some of the convalescent* are assisting ias orderlieeV 8o far.', there have been only thtee deaths at this institntitjin.Y? This! seafaring patients are being attended^ by Dr. Kinder. There is still need for more orderlies'for night duty. ■l The 80 child patients', at the Myers Kindergarten are showing good .progress, and many*■;, are • ready * for removal to the Y.W.C.A. Homo, where there are now* between TO and 80 children, The difficulty experienced in connection with the transfer of;, additional children to the Y.W.O.A.' lies : in the fact that there 'are not ?4»6ngh assistant* to ! care property for th«\ growing ;family.? Mr. Wm,. Wal- , lace Mated yesterday that this was work , which! many yofang ladi«i should be glad to perform, and it was hard to acaopnt 'for the dearth of. helrfetti. '4 v : ' i-' '(p Dr. Frengley, acting-chief H health" . officer, *tated , yesterday-j that although the position was .«improving he particu-, larly wished to warn the public «and all local bodies and committees fighting the disease against ■ any relaxation ;of effort, as such, action'would roost probably lead to a recnidescence of the epidemic. ' He j also mentioned that'it was : necessary, to 1 carry out a thorough spring cleaning of all houses affected, 'and above all it was imperative that the doors and windows 61 rooms , lately occupied by suffarers should bo> thrown ■ open; for at-least 'two' days to allow of the entry of fresh air and sun|shine. .. ■.;.;■' ';^: v -,„'. . ■'■''•."■'•. •■ ; '.-".

w The Central' Relief Committee commenced operations yesterday in its new office^' above the headquarters of' the Women's National : Reserve,: iri-Batiand Street, where a number 11096— has - been installed. v A scale has' been agreed .upon; by - which .the quantity of groceries, meat, milk, \ mi'. cOal to be' issued to families may 'be' readily ; determined.^, The committee, will he in a position to render: aid to people in necesuitous circumstances as thi result of the epidemic. ~.,,..v ■ f /. : :\< ,.(, t To : facilitate the, burial of victims of the epidemic arrangements '.? have 5 v been' made for another train to run to mete to-day, leaving No. 6 platform at 10 a.m. In order that there shall be no delay in carrying out interments owing to the absence of clergymen', the various aencwrugpna have stationed ministers at Waikumete and Purewa cemeteries.

stJBtreBAN REPORTS. - . The epidemic is abating at Takapuna and Milford. Few new cases were reported yesterday. There are 31 patients in the two hospitals, and 17 in the two convalescent homes. A creche has been established •» for children deprived of parental care. An' improvement is reported from Devonport. Fewer new cases were reported yesterday at Ponsonby than on the prevnus day. Four deaths have occurred in the Avondale district during the last few -Jays, There are 14, patients in the raceumree temporary hospital. Nurse- Curtis is in charge. Reports from Mount Rwskill indicate that the position there is still seriois.

OVERCOME AT HARROW NECK VERY SATISFACTORY POSITION. There is considerable improvement in the condition of patients at Narrow Neck camp. At one. time there were over 250 cases, including 10 of a serious nature. At the present time there are. only 30 patients. Two cases are serious, but they are improving.

You drink ,to your own health in " Dewat's whisky." The more you advertise the great lab-' our-saving and perfect cleansing qualities of "No-Rubbing" Laundry Help the better-for everybody, but the more you advertise an epidemic the worse it k for the whole community,