SICKNESS IN FIJI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19027, 26 May 1925, Page 9

SICKNESS IN FIJI.

EPIDEMIC ON THE WANE. CLEANING UP AT SUVA. [FROM OUR OWN . CORRESPONDENT.] SUVA, .May 21. The epidemic of sickness, somewhat akin to typhoid, appears to be passing away. Although there are still many patients in the hospital and in the two temporary onei, there have been no new cases for some eight days: Tho chief medical officer says that he thinks that the position is much improved and that the epidemic is definitely on the wane. Another bacteriological survey of the town's water supply has been made, and the result issued on Tuesday showed that there was no evidence of bacillus colL Two doctors from New Zealand have arrived and are affording a relief to the local men, while nine nurses from Sydney and Auckland have'given much-needed relief to the hard-tried local staff, which was not a largo one. Everywhere people are settling down to ordinary habits and the situation is easier altogether. Since the beginning of the visitation there have been 10 deaths of Europeans (the latter ones including Mrs. H. Parker, late of Mount Albert, Auckland, Miss Bartlett, daughter of Mr. Bartlett, of the Pacific Cablo Board staff, and Mr. W. P. Cleary, head of the firm of John Cleary and Co., drapers, of Suva), 10 Indians and a Fijian woman. There were over 300 cases, and most of the Indian cases were very far advanced beforo they were reported to the doctors. The town in one sense has greatly benefited by the visitation, ns it has never had such a cleaning tip before. All premises have been sprayed, wherever cases have come from. The pavements and drains have all been disinfected and hosed down by tho fire brigade, who volunteered for tho work. There has been a very fine response for volunteer nurses, all the school teachers, male and female, offering their services and working night'/ and day without respite. A large stock of disinfectants ordered from Sydney and aboard the steamer Suva were washed, overboard while coming from Sydney. The local authority is starting a small incinerator for garbage, and is considering the advisability of paying £ISOO for a large one.