INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17483, 27 November 1918, Page 5

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

THE CLIMAX BEACHED

A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT

DECREASE IN HOSPITAL

ADMISSIONS

CITY AND SUBURBS WELL

ORGANISED

Those in a position to pass an authoritative opinion wore- most optimistic regarding the position of the epidemic when spoken to by a Daily Times reporter yesterday. Dr Bowie, who is in the best position to gaugo tho situation, was convinced that thero was a decided improvement, and that tho climax had been reached, if not passed. On Monday ho pronounced things to bo quieter at tho E-ospital, and yesterday he considered, there 'was an improvement as compared with the previous day. Tho admissions to the institution had dropped from 36 on Stmday, and 34 on Saturday, to 19 on Monday. This was a satisfactory decrease, and while it is not anticipated that this reduction will be maintained there is reason to believe that each day will see an improvement in this respect. There was a slight in the number of deaths m tho institution on Monday, but this is only to be expected when the admissions for the past few days have all been really serious cases, some- of them, as a matter of fact, in extremis. The number of notifications to the Health Department yesterdav morning showed an increase, there beiiw 21 from Waitaki, 81 from Otago, 4 from Yincent, 1 from Maniototo, and 17 from Southland—a total of 124 as compared with 85 reported on Monday for_ the two previous days. It may be explained that these figures must not bo taken too seriously, for although medical men are required to report all serious influenza cases daily, the circumstances have been such that daily reports from doctors have not been adhered to, and instances are not unknown of country notifications being delayed for soveral_ days, and this is known to bo the _ case in tho notifications which were received yesterday morning. Tho authorities expected this to happen, and in , consequence aro not in thft least alarmed at the increase.

OBITUARY. A Press Association message states that amonsr those who have died from influenza in Wellington are Mr Alfrod William Young (Superintendent in New Zealand for the Atlas Assurance Company), who leaves a widow and two children; Mr Bums (a vaudeville dancer); Mr Gerald Henson. husband of Miss Sara Allgood, of " Peg o' My Heart" Company, nearly the whole of which company is laid up; and Captain Gurio, of tho French barque Colonel do Villebois Mareuil.

Among tho victims of the influenza epidemic in Invercargill is Mr John Francis Lewis, son of Mrs and the late William Lewis, draper, tho deceased having passed away at an early hour on Saturday morning, aged 32 years (says the Southland JNews). Mr Lews was one of the firm of Messrs Lewis and Co., and managed the business.

Mr Richard M. Frederickson, of Brooklyn, who has died from influenza, was born at Arrowtown 32 years ago last April. Ho went to Wellington from Timaru, and entered the service of the Harbour Board in 1910. At the time he took ill ho was in the tolls office on the Queen's wharf. He has left a widow, who is now convalescent from influenza, and four children, the eldest of whom is six years of age. There passed away on Saturday nt his residence, Nith street, Invercnrsnli, as the result of influenza, Mr .v'illiKm . Robert 1 etrie, a well-known saddler, at the ago of 57 years. The late Mr Petrie was one ? j e T foun dation members of Masonic Lodge Victoria, in which he held high office, and was also a member of the foresters Lodge, Ho leaves a widow and one son.

Tho Clutha Leader reports two pathetic cases of the deaths of both husband and wife A particularly sad instance was that of Mr and Mrs William Price, of Purekireki. Mr Price, who. had been ■in tho district for about 20 years, where he had a farm, went to the war. and returned with a recent draft. As he was homeward bound from the North Island the ruling scourge seized him, and he died in tho Uunedm Hospital on November 14 without seeing his family. Of course, tho shock seriously affected Mrs Price, and sho was a ready victim to the prevailing trouble Sho was taken to tho Dunedin Hospital on Lr-.day, where she died the following day. ihero are two orphans left, aged nine and two years. Tho other case of the death of husband and wife is that of Mr and Mrs irank Garty at Clyde Hospital. Mr Garty who -was electric linesman at Balclutha station, was on annual leave, and they had visited Christahurch, and then gone on to Clyde, whore tho infection compelled *r i°i° t° -, the llos P'tal in that town. Mrs Garty died on Wednesday, and Mr Garty on Friday. They were a youn-r couple deeply attached to each other They leave an infant child. ' * The death of Mr John Henry Gay occurred at tho Oam.iru Hospital on Sunday from influenza. The deceased met with a very serious accident some time ago and from its ill effects he had not thoroughly recovered. Mr Gay was born in Melbourne and received the main part of his education at the Scots' College (states the Mail) A teamed accountant, he had a great deal of commercial experience in Australia, and JJunedin before coming to Oamaru. Hero he early became associated with the stone industry, and of him it can be said that no man has done so much as he did to push the Oamaru stone forward as a valuable building material, i D i r £l P " writes to the Auckland Star:—'Because of his personality, Jus mental capacity, his career as a student work nobly done on active military servico' and, above all, his force of character' W. T. O'Sullivan was selected for special training as a health officer. His open, fresh, manly manner endeared him to all his colleagues; perhaps it was more than that—we loved him. His seniors believed that in him New Zealand could anticipate one of the strongest men for the public health service. His devotion to duty in this epidemic stayed his course. Ho expressed his unwillingness, after partial recovery from the initial attack, to do nothing while there were so many heartbreaking calls for medical aid. Ho gave his aid with that determination so familiar to us all Well be it said: 'O'Sullivan died to save others.' The dispensations of Providenco are full of wonder. This very week ho was to havo finished the examination to entitle him to a full district health officership. His colleagues will miss his cheery presence, not for today, but always. Ho was a splendid fellow."

Another well-known citizen to fall a victim, to the epidemic is Mr Stephen 0. Battorsby, land and estate agent, who died yesterday. Hβ was born 32 years ago at Enfiold, where his late father was engaged in farming- operations, and where his brother Is at present similarly engaged. Ho was educated at the Waitu% Boys' High School, after leaving which ho was successively employed by Slessrs J. and T. Meek, flourmillcrs, Oamaru. and by Dalfrety and Co., Blenheim. With tho latter firm ho furnished undoubted proof of his business abilities, and his employers wore loth to lose his services when he loft to come to Dunedin some nine years ago to establish himself in business on his own account as a. land and estate agent in Dowlinrr street. His progressiveuess, business acumen, and winning personality contributed in the building up of a prospering concern. Mr Battersby was married about six years ago to Miss Andrews, of Kyeburn, and there are no children of tho marriatro. Nurse Rraco Oampbell Beswick, who had been seriously ill for over a week, passed away in Christchurch early on Monday morning, this making the second death on the nursinjr staff since tho outbreak of tho orjidemic. Nurso Beswick, who was only 25 years of age, was the youngest daughter of Mr W "W. Beswick, of Oamaru, and she had been a'x>ut three or four years, on tho staff of tho Christchurch Hospital

The d»ath occurred on Monday night, at Lower Riecarton, of Maior W. C! Morrison, N'.Z.S.C, from heart failure, following upon an attack of influenza. Maior Morrison had been ill for some time, but ho was conFirWod to be improving, and no fears were felt for his recovery. He served in the South African war from 1899 to 1902. and held the Ouoon's medal with four clasps, and the Kinsr's Medal with two clasps for that campaign. Ho If ft New Zealand for the present war as officer commanding tho Fifth Reinforcements, with the rank of cantain, and saw eons : d n rable service on Gallipoli and later in Fmnre. He was invalided home on account of beiijg <rassrd. Since his return he hnd general staff officer for the Canterbury Military District.. He le?.ves a widow and three young daughiers.

CENTRAL BUREAU.

-Phe calls for nursing- havo been up to tno average of the last day or two, and a fair numbor of the cases attended have proved of a serious nature, This, it is stated, has been largely duo to indiscretion on tno part of the patients. The influenza cases Jiavo not increased, but the pneumonic cases have. There was a decided decrease in tho medical calls. There were about 20 special medical calls. Under tho regulations it is necessary that anyono who has been laid up for tlireo days must, on returning to duty, present a medical certificate, and as many of tho cases do not come under tho notice of any medical man tho regulation has produced an awkward position. That has been got over in tho Post (Jltice, where tho certificate is dispensed with, and it is expected that other Government departments will fall into lino.

The total amount of money contributions has reached £914 10s 6d, and Messrs C. Speight and Edgar Hazlott havo consented to act as treasurer and secretary to tho fund respectively. The following have sent monetary donations:—Mr H. tfarquharson, £25; Lodge Celtic, £21; tho firemen at the Central Station, £5; the employees of Messrs Paterson and Barr, £2 16s; "Messrs A. and T. Inglis, £10 10s; an anonymous donor, £10; the telephone employees (third contribution), £1 Is; D.S.A. and staff, £10; tho Wilson Malt Extract Co., £10 10s; and Mr H. Hegarty, £10. Among contributions sent in, other than money, was one that was very highly appreciated in the kitchen. This was five tins —approximately 50 gallons—of soup forwarded by Mr Samson, of South Dunedin. JLhanks are duo to Messrs Murdoch and Co. for jelly crystals, tho Waitaki Dairy Company for a box of butter, and a promise to supply cream, and a. ton of coal from Mr M. M'Diarmid. lhe tramwaymen turned out yesterday morning and manned tho ca-rs to bring V.A.D. workers into town at 9.15. Only a few took advantage of the opportunity, lhe cars stood by for some time (about a couplo of hours) to see if any further service was required, but owing to the splendid way in which the motorists are still coming forward the bureau authorities were able to dispense with the tramcars. The action of the men in voluntarily turning out is greatly appreciated. At the request of the medical authorities at the Hospital eight male orderlies were sent down to the institution on Monday night. A request was made yesterday afternoon for more V.A.D. workers to help the staff at the Palmerston Sanatorium, and it was complied with. The special bureaus at Maori Hill, RosJyr>, NJi Valley, South Dunedin, and Mornington are now in full swing, and are doing good work in their immediate neighbourhood in relieving distress of various kinds.

The Primate has offered Selwyn College, which is thoroughly equipped, as an auxiliary hospital or for any other purpose connected with tho suppression of the epidemic.

Tho supply of oranges which came in has been found of the very greatest benefit, and heavy demands have been made for them. These have been met, oranges having been forwarded to many parts of Otago. Another consignment will arrive at Invercargill to-day—2so cases in all. The consignment is to Messrs Paterson and Co., of Dunedin. That firm has undertaken the sale of them, and will give preference to any hospital or other institution dealing with the epidemic which may bo in need of supplies. Mr E. Hodge has offered bis services as personal secretary to the Rev. Mr King, and his services have been found of great assistance. THE WATERFRONT. There are no fresh developments on the waterfront in regard to the epidemic. No fresh cases havo been reported for two days, and the position generally shows a marked improvement. AUXILIARY HOSPITALS. Mr F. G. Cumming reports that everything is going on in a satisfactory manner at the Stuart Hall.- Fourteen convalescents wero discharged yesterday, and it had not been found necessary to send any more cases to that institution. Dr Bowie explained that it was deemed expedient to keep patients in the General Hospital so long as there was accommodation for them in that institution, and the fact that the admissions aro falling off will lesson the pressure on tho existing auxiliary hospitals, and probably render it unnecessary to make provision for additional auxiliary hospitals, as was at one time feared. The Rev. R. Evan Daviee acknowledges the thoughtfulness of Mr A. Barnett for continuing tho services of one of his men, whose aid had boon found most valuable. Five more cases were sent over from the General Hospital to tho Hanover Street Auxiliary Hospital yesterday afternoon, making in all 12 inmates. AT PORT CHALMERS. From the commencement of the epidemic afc Port Chalmers the authorities have taken the utmost precautionary measures to combat the disease, with the" result that it has not secured the hold that would otherwise undoubedly have been the case. There are very few cases of a serious nature in the port at present, but efforts to stamp out the outbreak will not be relaxed in the slightest. The inhalation chamber continues to bo steadily patronised, an average of about 200 passing through daily. At a meeting of the Waterside Workers' Union yesterday morning it was decided to suspend all work on. the waterfront until Monday. , • INHALATION CHAMBERS. Tho inhalation chambers in Water street continue to be well patronised, although, there is a decided falling off in the number passing through. This is accounted for by the temporary cessation of tho tramway service, and the establishing of inhaling chambers by the Health Dopartment in other centres in and around the city. These new inhalation chambers are at Roslyn (old Council Chambers), Mornington (old Council Chambers), Cargill's Corner (next the King Edward Picture Theatre), St. Kilda (Council Chambers), and NorthEast Valley. Mr K. Cameron (Inspector of Public Health) purposes establishing one at Union Street School, also at Caversham and Anderson's Bay, if suitable buildings can be secured. The men in charge of the new inhaling chambers are mostly, returned soldiers.

Appliances for setting up similar chambers have been forwarded" to Palmerston, Waikouaiti, Mosgiel, Outram, Clyde, Cromwell, Alexandra, Balclutha, Tapauui, Clinton, Roxburgh, and Lawrence.

PRESBYTERIAN SOCIAL SERVICT. Mr P. L. Clark, acting manager of the Presbyterian Social Service Association, said yesterday morning that, in response to tho request for £500 as an emergency found to provide for cases of distress, specially amonget mothers and'orphans, about £150 had already been received.

The committee met at 2 o clock on Monday afternoon to arrange about fitting up the lato Mr D. Brent's residence for receiving children, and by last night tho place had been scrubbed throughout, fumiguted to the requirements of the Health Department, the chimneys swept, and tho house furnished and' provisioned and ready for the reception of children. The residence will accommodate about 30 children.

NOKTII-EAST VALLEY SUB-BUREAU. Last nights reports stated that 14 now cases were reported. An increasing number of workers came forward to assist in nursing the sick. Recognition is made of the generous contributions of fruit drinks, eoups, jellies, custards, fresh eggs, etc., all of wliich are proving their efficacy in restoring tho sufferers. The committee reports daily to the doctors the more urgent cases. Tho telephone now installed is No. 4951 At present the dainties are carried to the sick on foot by a willing band of boys and girls of tho upper school standards and secondary scholars. The Ilev. Messrs Friberg (Anglican), Morris (Baptist), and M'Ewen (student missioner) are associated with the. Rev. R. ]5. Evans in the management of the sub-bureau. Food gifts should be sent to the Young Men's Institute, and gifts in money to the convener of committeo (the Rev. R. E. Evans).

MORNINGTON HELPERS' BUREAU. The scheme for helping the sick of Marnington,_ inaugurated by Ih- A. J. Hall on Friday is now in thorough working order at the Council Chambers. A committee, consisting of Misses Rattray and Georin, Messrs J. E. Bono and W. A. Moore, is supervising the work. Thanks are duo to a large numbrn- of the local residents for their self-sacrificing work in attending the sick and supplying jellies, eoup. fowls, and other delicacies. Donations of cash have been received from: " Venard." £5: Mr W. Davidson, £2; and Mrs B. R. Stock, £1: Miss Purvis, 10s; a Hard-working-Man's Little Nest Egg, £1. Boy Scouts are continuously in attendance, under the guidance of Sir Cecil Moon. Aβ there is no chemist in Mornington, the sick helpers' bureau is also doing a most important work by receiving prescriptions and forwarding thorn to be dispensed in the city, and then them to the patients. Inquiries on telephone 579 will always receive prompt attention. Gifts of food of all kinds will bo gratefully reeved.

ROSLTN AND KAIKORAI. Delegates from the Central V.A.D. Bureau held meetings in Roslyn on Monday and Tuesday. A strong committee of workers was appointed, and tho whole of tho Koslyn district lying between Mornington and Oban street will bo patrolled today. A telephone has been installed in tho Sunday School Hall, whero a. depot or branch bureau has been established. This depot will'be continually in touch with tho Central Bureau. A numbor of ladies havo volunteered to supply soup, jellies, etc., and to act ae nurses if required. Help may bo obtained by ringing tho depot (No. 694). A meeting was held in the Rqslyn Baptist Church yesterday afternoon. The Vcn. Archdeacon Fitchett was voted to the chair, and it was decided to form a branch bureau al Kaikcrai. Tho Rev. Mr Sutherland was appointed district chairman. A number of otters of help were received, and three urgent cases were reported. It was decided to utiliso the Kaikorai Presbyterian Schoolroom as a district bureau, and cases of families in tho district requiring assistance should .bo reported there or by telephoning 3431. The bureau is to bo open daily from 9 a.m. till 8 p.m. Further help is required for patrol work, nursing, attendance at bureau, providing delicacies, etc. The need for nursing assistance is particularly urgent. The comniitteo is in urgent need of donations of delicacies (eggs, soups, jollies, custards, etc.) and monetary donations will bo gladly received. SOUTH DUNTTDIN. The Executive Committee set up in connection with the effort to combat "tho influenza trouble at South Dunedin mot last evening to complete arrangements for tho opening of this bureau, which will take placo to-day Reports were received from those who had made a house-to-house visitation of the district during the day, and cases needing help (some being of an urgent nature) were duly noted. Mr Mercer was appointed superintendent of case records. It was decided to arrange for the bureau to be open night and day. Motor cars will be urgently needed for tho conveyance of workers and for the transport of supplios to needy cases. The committee earnestly appeals to car owners for their valuable aid. Messrs J. Burt and C. H. Lowdon were appointed a transport committee. Tho Rev. J. L. Mortimer, on behalf of St. Peter's Church, offered to open a creche on tho church premises, with a view to caring for children whom it is thought desirable to remove from, homes of sickness. The committee will be glad to receive tho names of all those able and willing to render assistance- in nursing or domestic work or in any other capacity. Jt desires to point out that any new cases of sickness needing attention subsequent to the house-to-house visitation should bo reported to the bureau through tho telephono (No. 3054). ,

ORGANISATION AT RAVENSBOURNE.

There have been a good many cases of influenza at Ravensbournc, but fortunately tho majority have not been of a severe nature. In some cases men arid their "wives have both been laid up at the same time. So far valuable work has boon done for the relief of the sufferers by Mesdarnes Hicks and Don at their residences, and with the object of continuing and extending it a meeting, convened by Mr J. B. Grant and Mrs Hicks, was held last nierht. There was a good attendance. The Rev. A. Gray was appointed chairman. Miss E; B. Hutton secretary, Mesdames Hicks and Don joint treasurers, and Mr Stanton Hicks organiser. A kitchen has been established in tho school gymnasium, where a range, which has been lent by Mr J. B. Shackloclc free of charge, lias been fitted up. Thoso in charge to be in a position to supply delicacies to patients to-day. Voluntary subscriptions will be welcomed, and may be left at Miss Hutton's shop on the Main road. THE SALVATION ARMY. The Salvation Array is doing; its share throughout the dominion in using its resources to the utmost to assist in meeting the needs of the people at the present time.' Instructions wero promptly issued by Commissioner Hodder to this effect at the outbreak _of the epidemic. Apart from the activities of officers stationed all over the country, tho Army has closed some of its departments at headquarters in Wellington, and tho Training College has been turned into a convalescent hospital. It has also taken over tho staffing and running of an emergency hospital at the Wellington Boys' College*. Additional officers have been sent to the camps. At Featherston the Salvation Army was made responsible for conducting the depot for distribution of fruit, eggs, and euch comforts. In Dunedin and suburbs officers are doing everything possible to assist. Several of the officers have been down with the epidemic, but they are all on, the mend. MOSGIEL. While there is still a lot of sickness and some serious cases are reported, the indications point to an improvement. The committee met again yesterday, and provision was made where help was required. The inhalation chamber was opened, yesterday, and was visited by a number of people. TAPANUI. The Hospital and Technical School are easily copinj* with the influenza epidemic, and no fresji cases wore taken in yesterday. The situation is now well in hand. Up to the present there have been five deaths, three (father and two children). be longing to one family. The Technical School is utilised as a convalescent hospital, and patients are thoroughly satisfied with the arrangements. THE MILITARY CAMPS. SATISFACTORY REPORT. (Pes Dnitejj Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 26. " Matters at Trentham aro going well," said Surgeon-general Henderson to-day. There was only one admission to hospital yesterday for influenza, and none to-day. There are only two cases in hospital about which there is any anxiety. The other serious cases are all approaching convalescence. All told, there are about 400 in different stages of convalescence at Feathcrston. The conditions are improving. The serious cases of pneumonia number 29, and spinal meningitis 20, of whom two are dangerously ill. There has been one death at Trontham and four at Featherston in tho last 24 hours. The position in Wellington City and suburbs continues to improve-."

INFLUENZA REMEDIES. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—lf a person feeling eymptoms of influenza coming on were to take a quarter of a teaspoonful of sulphur in milk, and in four hours half a teaspoonful, and then in four more hours a teaspoonful, and at the same timo keep himself warm, ho would avert tho attack. I have tried this treatment. In the case of children under 12 tho dose should bo of half the quantitv mentioned above.—l am, etc., November 26. Expedience.