Conditions at Christchurch

NZ Truth, Issue 701, 23 November 1918, Page 5

Conditions at Christchurch

In the Path of tho Epidemic, (From "Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) The Influenza scourge which commenced its ravages a few weeks ago at Auckland, has reached Canterbury, In fact, is established throughout tho South la lan d, and as m the north is claiming many victims. The Health authorities stated at the -outset, and maintain, that the contagion is influenza, but influenza or anything else, there is no getting- away from the fact that it is serious, so serious as to place the whole population m a grave peril. Deaths are numerous, and while perhaps death is often due to neglect, tho fact that doctors, nurses and others, who should know all there is to know ■about influenza, are amongst its many victims, discounts to a. great extent the contention that if treated m time, the "flu" ia not dangerous. Despite the alarming rate at which people were dying m Auckland, the authorities m. ■Christchurch did not bestir themselves until the disease ' HAD A FIRM HOLD HERE; tho hospital was full of patients and the majority of hotels were, m the accommodation portions, little else than hospitals. But when deaths came fast, the hospitals so full that no more patients could be taken, businesses became greatly affected through reduced staffs, then the Health Department woke up. But it was too late. The epidemic was here, firmly established, j -and spreading at an alarming rate. Inhalation chambers were set up, one for a start, but it was soon found that I there would have to be many more, and fortunately the Tramways Board offered the tise of several cars, which were stationed at various points m and around the city, and converted into inhalation chambers. ' Doctors could not attend to the patients, so many were there requiring treatment, while ! to get medicine from a chemist meant very often a wait, of hours. At the beginning of last week even the most optimistic could not but feel uncomfortable, because people m hundreds were going down daily with the "flu," and many of them dying. The District Health Officer, Dr. H. Chesson, cannot by any stretch of imagination be said to have exercised his powers with undue haste, but on Tuesday he made a move and closed the hotels till Thursday. Theatres, picture shows, all public entertainment houses were similarly dealt with, and also the libraries and to some extent Church services. So rapid did the epidemic spread that it soon became apparent (despite the opinions expressed to the contrary by the newspapers) that THE POSITION WAS ALARMING. Medical men could not cope with the demand for their services; the nursing staffs at the hospitals were being depleted, and at last the call went out for voluntary workers. The Health Dept. established a depot m the Square, and here "flu" medicine is dispensed to the public at cost prifce, and to persons who cannot afford to pay, the medicine is dispensed free. Towards the end of the week it was futile to try and tell the people the scon rqe- was merely a virulent form of the "flu." Deaths were occurring so fast that people were becoming alarmed and the authorities were more concerned m preventing a panic than m defining the disease. Nurse Maude, m charge of the " Health Department's central depot, on Thursday sent out an appeal lor 100 helpers, the supply of nurses, trained' or otherwise, was inadequate. By Fi-iday noon only twenty had responded to the call, and some idea can be gathered of the serious position by Nurse Maude's words: "It is very disappointing; people are sick and dying even, but helpers still hang back. Surely the women of Christchurch will hear and answer!" But despite inhalation chambers, the dispensing of medicine at a moderate cost, and the advice given by the Health authorities and medical men, the contagion continued to grow, and people continued to die. Business was at a standstill, few people visited the city, m fear lest they should have the "flu" presented them by a "carrier." Business houses m many instances were closed "owing to influenza," while the tramways service was cut down to

a minimum, no less than ninety members of the car staff being down on Friday. So depleted was the staff that it was decided not to run the cars at all last Sunday. Tho worst feature about the whole affair m connection with the steps taken to combat the epidemic, was the closing of the Post and Telegraph offices on Thursday, an act which, to put it mildly was insane. With persons dying it was necessary very often to wire relatives or friends, but through closing the offices mentioned this could not be done. The Telephone Exchange was EITHER EMPTY OR "TOO BUSY" to answer calls, and the seriousness of this does not want any emphasising from '•Truth." Not only m Christchurch, but from all outside reports that the "flu" had obtained a grip came to hand, and tho inevitable death roll followed. As the hours went on so the ravages of the. scourge increased, yes, increased, to such an extent that people became desperate, and despite the assurances of the authorities there was ample justification. The hospitals were crowded with patients, so crowded, that other building's had to be commandeered. Hotels and schools are turned into hospitals, inhalation chambers are established at various points m the city. But all this seems of little avail to stem tho wildfire rush of the "flu." Towards the end of the week the task of fighting the contagion v/as taken up m dead earnest. The city waa divided into block committees organised, each committee having its own particular block. The appeal for voluntary helpers continued to go out, but the response from the women was not spontaneous, and the appeal for 40 women helpers only produced 10 replies. However, more offered assistance later, but so great was the need for assistance that at tho time of writing, more helpers are still required. This shortagre of women helpers must not be taken to imply that Christchuveh women are less willing to help m such times of stre3S, than -women of other cities. The real explanation is that so many famlliea were attacked by tho epidemic that their services were required at home. Deaths were reported from all points, the undertakers being unable to cope with the work of making coffins. Corteges were forbidden, and persons who had passed away were motored to the burying grounds attended by a near relative. On Monday of this week the order went out that hotels were to close until further notice, shops were to close at 3 p.m., tea-rooms, restaurants and marble bars are allowed to open only during certain hours; libraries, churches, biliiardrooms, theatres, m fact all buildings where people congregate were closed. The result of all this means that the city is dead. Business is at an absolute standstill, few people frequent the streets, and but for the hustle and bustle of the taxis at the central depot m running backwards and forwards with patients, to 7 gfether with the activities of those m charge of the soup and broth kitchen, also those busy dispensing "flu" cure, the city would be considerably quieter than on fin. ordinai'y Sunday. It may be invidious to mention speciaWy any body of helpers, where all who can help are working themselves to a standstill. The following organised bodies are doing all that it is humanely possible for them to do: The Slaters of Mercy, the Sisters of the Mission, the Sisters of Lewishum Hospital, the Marist Bros., and the police force. The last-named servants rarely get a bouquet thrown to them, consequently they do not expect them, but it does not follow they are not entitled to a word of praise at times and never was it more so than at 'the present time. Later, perhaps when the scourge has abated somebody will think to put a word m for the police, but "Truth" ia doing it now.