THE RECENT EPIDEMIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17040, 23 December 1918, Page 8

THE RECENT EPIDEMIC

NO NEW CASES IN CITY.

DISCHARGE OF CONVALESCENTS. There were no admissions of influenza patients at the General Hospital during the week-end. A number of convalescents were discharged. Dr. Magulre, the medial superintendent, stated last oven, ing that the disease was showing a rapid decrease, and the great majority of patients still in the institution were making rapid progress toward recovery. A distinct improvement in reported from the quarantine station at Motuihi, where there are now only eight of the patients left by the Makura. Five patients were discharged oil Saturday. There is at present only one dangerous case in the quarantine hospital. Except for a few cases in private houses, the epidemic has been stamped out at Whakatane. Both the temporary hospitals in Whakatane and those at Matata and Wailliana have been closed. The Harbour Board resolved to write letters of thanks to the principal workers at the Maori Mission hospital and temporary hospitals. The Borough Council placed on record its appreciation of the many valuable services rendered by the numerous voluntary helpers, special thanks being' tendered to Messrs. Ruddle and Ttirpin for tho life of their residences as temporary hospitals. The influenza outbreak is now almost a thing of the past throughout the Mauranui County. The natives arc practically all convalescent or recovering. < The two temporary hospitals at Pawapuria for the natives have been closed. Mrs. Stacey, of Auckland, who was acting as nurso at these hospitals, contracted the disease, and had to bo sent to the Mangomii Hospital. There were several fresh cases among tho Europeans at Takahue. last week. Eight Europeans and about 100 Maoris within the county succumbed to the disease.

WELLINGTON'S DEATH ROLL. « BURIALS DURING NOVEMBER. The Wellington city sexton, Mr. Q. Kay, has reported to the City Council that during the month of November there were 709 interments in the Karon cemetery, 8 in tho Wellington cemetery, and 4 eremations—a total of 721. In November last year there were 59 interment* in the Karon cemetery, 1 in the Wellington cemetery, and 3 cremation*. In October this year the interments m the Karori cemetery numbered 86, 'u Wellington 2, and there were 3 cremations, as compared with 70 interment* and 3 erematione for the corresponding month of the previous year. hi '' ■"" * I OASES OP DESTITUTION.

ORPHANS IN WELLINGTON. Cases of destitution arising out of the epidemic in Wellington dealt with in a report furnished by the Wellington Hospital Board. Inquiries made by the various Vigilance Committees (showed that there were 47 cases, representing 134 children, In which the father had died of the disease; 17 cases representing 51. children in which the mother had died; and six cases representing 20 children in which both parent* had died. The figure*, it ! was explained, appeared to disclose rather th* total number of cases of bereavement which had come wider the notice of the committees than such of them only as were in urgent need of assistance. The Minister was seen with reference to the. definition of "orphan children," and. he was unable to differentiate between children rendered destitute by tho epidemic and those who might he placed in a similar position by some other disaster such as was alwavs'within the bounds of possibility, and "therefore the immediate task of dealing with cases of necessity, whether orphaned or other children of persons, lay upon the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards as an essential portion of the functions for which they exist. Such cages ! have since been freely introduced to the board, and have "been immediately ! attended to and assistance afforded on j liberal lines and by modes made clastic »o meet individual needs and circumstances.

NAVUA'S EXPERIENCE.

TRYING TIME FOR CREW. The ravage* of pandemic of influenza at the French island of Tahiti, in the Pacific, where the Union Company's stoamcr Navua was in quarantine and an engineer and four of- the crew died, ia described by one of those on board tho ship. When the Nam reached San Francisco from Wellington, towards the end of September, the epidemic there was raging furiously. The daily death-roll was very heavy, but official statistic? were not available. Business was practically at a standstill. A thorough check had been placed on the scourge, and the beginning of November brought with it a decrease in the number of deaths. The vessel wasin port for six discharging and loading—and the climax was well past when sho sailed on November 1 for Wellington, via Papeete. No cases of influenza are reported to have been aboard when in port. " Notice that the disease had beon contracted *as given in tho cases of four of five of the crew, who went down within two days. Tho Navua was then about a week out. Papeete wop in sight eight days later, and on November 16, the day of her arrival there, seven or eight of the crew wero down. The first death— of Mr. Keith Edwards, a young unmarried able seaman, whose parents live in Chrietchm-ch, occurred within 24 hours after berthing. His was one of the first cases. The death of Mr. Edwards nnd an increase in the number of cases among the sailors and firemen —both European and natives—<oon brought about the order that tho ship must be quarantined. The Navua left the wharf, and her patients were transferred to the quarantine island in the harbour. On the following day—November 18— native member of the crew died. Four days later a Maori died, and still four days after that the third death— another native—occurred. Mr. J. I'en--1 man, second engineer, who died on Do--1 cember 3, was the last. Altogether about 25 of the officers and crevAycro affected. During tho two weeks that the steamoi' wae at the island 15 of the ship's company were ill at one time.

The port doctor visited the quarantined meti and those in hospital twice daily, and. left medicine and instructions with Mr. Creswell, chief steward, who, on accom:". of his medical knowledge, was placed in charge of the sick. All the crow speak in the highest terms of the good work dono by Mr. Creswell. He was at his post night and day, and they say that but for his careful and untiring attention more deaths would undoubtedly have occurred. Those who were affected included Captain Doorly. the five engineers, and seamen and firemen, but tho deck officers escaped. The supply of drugs was limited, and of the three doctors on the island two were off duty at the same time, down with influenza. The native population suffered terribly. Fear played an important part, and as they became infected, or allowed themselves to believe that they had been infected, they ran away from the town to the other side of the island and shut themselves in their huts, Here many, out of easy reach of what possible assistance there was, died. It is stated that the deaths there totalled about 500. The stocks of drugs were replenished by drawing on (he medio! diesis of two steamers that arrived while the Navtia was there.

Useful pifta for all at the J.C.L. See the special displays in the windows and the varioim departments.—John Court, Ltd., Queen St.

Bathing costumes and ca«« are at oresent in groat demand. Ladies are advised to make their purchases at Smith .and Caughey's Great Shopping Centre.

" Nazol for Influenza and Catarrh.**