OUTBREAK OF TYPHOID.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18075, 27 April 1922, Page 8

OUTBREAK OF TYPHOID.

TWO DEATHS AT HOSPITAL

THREE AT THE ASYLUM.

TOTAL OF 410 BOROUGH CASES

Fivo deaths from typhoid were reported yesterday. Two occurred at the Auckland Hospital, the victims bcinjr Mr. Robert M. Strong, aced 45, of 75, Elizabeth Street. Mount Albert, and Miss Mario M. Walmsloy, aged 23, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Walmslcy, of Edcndale. The- other three deaths took placo during the last few days at tho Mental Hospital. Previously ono death had occurred at the Auckland Hospital and one at the Mental Hospital, tho total therefore being soven.

Twenty notifications of typhoid fever cases were received by the Health Department yesterday for tho period since I noon on Monday. Fifteen of these notifications camo from Mount Albert, four ' from the city, and one from Avondale, j making a total of 110 notifications. Some i of the latest cases aro merely notified as suspicious, and those in the city havo been traced as contacts. Six fresh cases were admitted to the Auckland Hospital, making a total of 85 there under treatment. There is still room for two females and eight males, but the Hospital Board will probably be able to provide another 15 beds for females in the institution. Three or four of the cases are very serious, but the rest of the patients aro progressing favourably. It has been reported to tho health offi cer that persons suffering from mild typhoid have not been confining themselves to their homes. The Health Act provides for a heavy penalty in such cases. All persons who may bo suffering from typhoid in mild form are required to take tho same precautions that are necessary in severe cases. Disinfection of tho excreta in these mild cases is absolutely essential

SUBURBAN WATER SUPPLIES J CITY SERVICE AVAILABLE. AMPLE FOR ALL NEEDS. In a statement yesterday regarding J the Question of the supply of water to i suburban districts, the Mayor of Auckl land, Mr. J. H. Gunson, remarked: i "The position as far as the city is con--1 cerned is that the council is and always : has been prepared to supply water to I suburban districts. We have any quanI tity of water at present, and as soon as j the new dam at Nihotupu is completed I there will not be any tear of shortage in the futv.ro, even in a dry season. In the past the city has never refused to supply water to any local body, and has never cut off a supply to an outside district even in times of greatest scarcity. The question of whether city water is required is for outside bodies to decide. '

ONE TREE HILL WATER,

SATISFACTORY ANALYSIS.

HUMAN FACTOR IN FILTERING. Reference to the water supply was made at the meeting of the One Tree Hill Road Board last evening. The chairman, Mr, R. G, Clark, said the recent discussion regarding tho efects of chlorination would lead ratepayers to think the process was as absolute failure. The One Tree Hill Road Board was the only local body treating its water to four days' chlorination in a reservoir before filtering it. By this method foreign matter was also reduced from 8 per cent, to 3 per cent. A report from Dr. W. Gilmour, bacteriologist at the Auckland Hospital, said: " The results indicate that a water, bacteriologically unsatisfactory, has been converted into a good safe water, and according; to sample, there was no chlorine present in the water supplied to the public" A letter from the medical officer of health, Dr. T. J. Hughes, emphasised the importance of taking every care in running the Candy filter. The various analysis 60 far carried out by the department have shown efficient sterilisation," continued the letter, "but, nevertheless, I would point out that the human factor can come into play in working the filter, and, as has been pointed out before, it is advisable to obtain pure water from a safe source, rather than to use sources which are liable to serious contamination, even though steps are taken to sterilise such water."

It was decided to inform the Health Department that the latest analysis was and that Dr. Gilmour would take monthly Bamples. The matter of miik supply was also discussed, and it was decided to authorise the inspector to investigate thj cleanliness of milk-supply depots, cans, and utensils.

NORTH SHORE SOURCE. The purity of the Lake Takapuna water, which supplies the North Shore boroughs, was questioned by a deputation from the Vauxhall School Committee, which waited on the Devonport Borough Council last evening. It was explained that the water supply was under the jurisdiction of the Lake Takapuna Board of Control, and was accordingly beyond the council's jurisdiction.