THE RECENT EPIDEMIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17125, 2 April 1919, Page 10

THE RECENT EPIDEMIC.

INTRODUCTION OF DISEASE.

QUESTION OF THE NIAGARA.

A RECURRENCE PREDICTED. [BY TELEGn.U'H.--OW.S CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN, Tuesday. Giving evidence before the Epidemic Commission yesterday, Dr. Champlaloup quoted from (he Medical Journal of Australia, of March 13, in an article, " Epidemiology and Influenza." Ho said Sir Arthur Nowsholme, of the British Local Government Board, expressed the opinion that the epidemic type of influenza was the same as the milder type, only more virulent. This supported the contention that tho milder type of tho disease was prevalent before the sovere epidemic brokeout. It was of the same nature, but less virulent.

The Chairman: Coincident with the arrival of the Niagara there m a great increase in the disease!

Dr. Chaniptaloup : I think the disease wo had before the Niagara's arrival would have reached some virulence in time. ' The Chairman : But what would be the cause of a sudden jump into a virulent form? Dr. Champtaloup said he would prefer to deal with the subject from a bacteriological point of view. He had not been present in Auckland at the time of the arrival of the Niagara, and although: many reports had reached him they wero merely hearsay, and he preferred to exprejs no opinion as to the connection of the Niagara with the epidemic. The Chairman: I quite see your position. I see the shadow of the Department. Speaking later, the chairman referred again to this matter. " I wish to say," ho stated, " that every assistance has been given to us in the shape of full, frank, and elaborate reports on all subjects by tho Health Department, and I do not wish to suggest that there is justification for any hesitation en the part of any ; witness in giving evidence." To-day. Dr. Colquhoun said it was the i general experience in all epidemics that isolated cases appeared betoro the full force of the epidomic was felt. This fact suggested that although ho could look with suspicion on statements implying that a particular event— example, the arrival of the Niagara in Auckland—was (he cause of the epedomic, which followed, he was pretty certain the disease was in the Dominion before the arrival of the Niagara. Tho fact that cases occurred immediately following the Niagara's arrival disposed of a theory that this ship was responsible for the epidemic, because there was an incubat'on peri d of several days for the disease. He thought a recurrence of tho diseaso would probably take place in New Zealand some time within the next month, but it did not follow that it would be of last year's severe type. . Continuing: his evidence, Dr, Colquhoun said the disease could be conveyed by poods, .letters, postal packets, cto. The most susceptible ages had beon from 20 to 50 years. In preparing for a possible epidemic the hospital and municipal authorities should try to get accommodation in open sheds or tents. Tho best defence was sound hygiene, and the public had been educated to the necessity for this. He condemned public inhalation and the use of masks. The former resulted in people congregating in large numbers, some possibly infected. The latter, if they permitted the 'passago of air, also permitted tha passage of the minute micro-organisms of influenza, and had the disadvantage of restricting the supply of fresh aid to the wearer.

TYPE OF DISEASE DISCUSSED.

"IMPORTED FROM ENGLAND." [BT TELWRAFH—PREBS ASSOCIATION-] DUNEDIN, Tuesday. Evidence was given bofore the Influenza Commission, at Dunedin to-day, by Dr. Frank Fitchett, lecturer on bacteria medics and clinical medicine-, at the Otago University. He said that so far »6 his observations went bo would not use the word " septicemia" in regard to any case he saw during the epidemic. He would describe the manifestations as the result of a toxaemia. Ordinary febrile types predominated even ' during the pneumonic invasion, and many of these cases exhibited toxemic without pneumonic symptoms. Pneumonia appeared rather as a complicai tion of the ordinary type. As early as • September and October there was ordin- ) ary opidemic influonza about Dunedin, but , it was not till November that it appeared in a virulent pandemio form, with virulent symptoms not usually met in New Zealand. He thought the virulent form must have been imported, and that it came as a direct continuation of the Engliiih pandemic. He did not think any- ■ thing had been found to suggest the presence of additional organisms to those found in previous epidemics. It was astonishing to find how closely observations made here accorded with observations made 100 years ago, so far as clinical manifestations were concerned.

Mr. Georgo A. Lewin, town clerk, said that while the Act of 1876 provided for local boards of health, which was a distinct ndvantnee, the Act of 1900 introduced the Public Health Department more prominently. It made the Minister supreme therein. He thought the weakness was the introduced element of dual control.