TYPHOID EPIDEMIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18073, 24 April 1922, Page 8

TYPHOID EPIDEMIC.

MINISTER'S .'OPTIMISM.

MENTAL HOSPITAL CASES,

WATER QUESTION IN HAND,

The typhoid fever outbreak in the borough of Mount Albert and among tho inmates of the Auckland Mental Hospital was tho subject of a statement last evening by tho Minister for Health, tho Hon. C. J. Parr. He said ho had investigated tho matter after his arrival in Auckland yesterday morning, and found there wero 43 male and 14 female patients in the Mental Hospital down with tho prevailing epidemic. The total number of patients in the institution was 1100. Mr. Parr said thero had been no fresh cases during the last three or four days, and it was to bo hoped tho epidemic had now lost its force. As a matter of fact, it was practically at an end so far as the Mental Hospital was concerned. The patients were being most carefully nursed, thero being an ample staff for tho purpose The Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals, Dr. F. Hay, in conjunction with Dr. R. M. Beattie, had given special attention to the patients, who had been isolated in two blocks quite clear from the other inmates, Fresh Outbreak Not Anticipated.

"I fear." said tho Minister, when referring to tho cause of tho trouble, " that tho local water supply which tho mental hospital uses in common with tho residents of tho borough of Mount Albert, is responsible for the outbreak. Tho evidence supplied to me supports this theory. This, of cojrse, cannot be hold to bo absolutely conclusive until further tests are made. For the past fortnight only water from the city supply has been used at the institution, tbo authorities having ceased to draw any further water from tho suspected supply. I think it will be found that after the period of incubation —from two to three weoks—elapses there wilj be no fresh outbreaks, and the epidemic will be wiped out. No water from th 0 regular supply has beon used since April 12 or 13. " It was a sudden outbreak," said Mr\ Parr, " tho cases reported having only occurred within the last fortnight. As a matter of fact, there were practically no cases in Mount Albert a fortnight ago. Tho only people coming in now are those who must have consumed the water a fortnight previously. Fortunately there had been very little mortality." No Secrecy as to Sick Patients. The Min.stor said that Dr. Hay had erplained that the reason id was not desirable to publish the number of cases at tho Mental Hospital, was that the authorities did not want to cause the relatives of the patients unnecessary alarm. When patients wero ill those interested in thorn wero notified at once. He had given instructions to this effect. There had been no secrecy. The publia health authorities were notified when the first case arose and they had been aware of tho infection since tho beginning. When the relatives of patients received no notice they could take it that those in whom they were interested were in their usual physical hea.th. With respect to the matter of securing a supply of good water for the Mount Albert district, Mr. Parr said he purposed before leavin'g on his return to Wellington, conferring with the Mayor of the borough, Mr. A. F, Bennett, and the members of the council. If it was proved beyond any doubt that the local supply was infected it would be necessary to seriously consider the whole question of securing a future supply which would bo absolutely beyond suspicion. This, said the Minister, would depend on the examination of the existing supply now being made by the bacteriologist at the Auckland Hospital. Dr. W. Gilmour, If it, were established that thero were impurities in the water, then the other question would be eone into without delay. Tho Mayor of Mount Albert was most anxious to do everything to secure the futtiro health of the residents of the borough. Water Conference to be Held,

Mr. Parr said he suspected that soakage from hundreds of houses in the district, had affected the Mount Albert water. This drained through the volcanic soil toward the springs on the flat, and when it was remembered that many houses had no drainage system, but simply emptied their sewage into holes in ♦he ground, it would be realised how easy it was for germs to be conveyed to the water supply. The recent heavy rains had accentuated the soakage, having brought down the excreta of hundreds of patients suffering from gastric influenza, which, in the Minister's opinion, was a mild form of typhoid. "Personally," said Mr. Parr, "I am satisfied that this soakage has got into the springs through subterranean channels and affected the water, and that is the cause of the trouble." Tho time was opportune to discuss the vital question of a water supply for the suburban boroughs. "This epidemic," he said, "teaches a. lesson which cannot be ignored bv the local authorities. I propose, on Thursday, discussing with five suburban local authorities, with whom the Public Health Department's officers have been carrying on a lengthy correspondence, the question of practical steps which will put the water issue beyond doirbt."

SIXTY-SIX IN HOSPITAL.

NO NEW CASES YESTERDAY Fourteen cases of typhoid fever from Mount Albert were notified to the Health Department on Saturday, but several of these were not fresh case's. Three of the patients were admitted to the Auckland Hospital on Saturday, making a total of 66 cases undor treatment, including 58 from Mount Albert. No new cases were reported yesterday. The medical officer of health, Dr. T. J. Hughes, stated yesterday that although the latest notification figures appeared to be large, tho situation was well in hand. He had conferred with Dr. Makgill on Saturday, and they wero well satisfied with the precaution,! being taken. There had been only two deaths, one at tho hotpitsl, and one at the Mental Hospital, and although some of the cases were serious, all were progressing favourably. Innoculation was continued on Saturday, the total number of those having taken advantage of this precaution being 386. Dr. Davis will be in attendance today at the Mount Albert school. The Mount Albert Borough Council is distributing supplies of chloride of limo for disinfecting purposes gratis from the council yard, New North Road, Morning side b

chairman of the Hospital Board, Mr. W. Wallace, expressed himself yesterday as well satisfied with tho situation. There were still 20 vacant beds at the hospital, he said, and provision could bo made for more than that if necessary. Tho superintendent of tho institution, Dr. C E. Maeuire. would return on Tuesday. Explaining tho system of notification, Mr. Wallace said the hospital authorities supplied tho Health Department with tho number of daily admissions and tho doctors attending tho cases notified the Department of the nature and details of each case. The nursing staff at. tho hospital was doing splendid work in the arduous duties entailed by typhoid fever, and no sickness had occurred among the nurses.