FIGHTING THE EPIDEMIC.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17503, 20 December 1918, Page 2

FIGHTING THE EPIDEMIC.

AUSTRALIA UP TO NOW. (Fsom Oun Own CoHnKiPONDBWT.) SYDNEY, December ,5. Tho struggle between the influenza 'epidemic and the little gang of heroic nurses and doctors still rages pitilessly at the gates of Sydney, and the disease is etill being barred out. There have now been 36 deaths out of 493 eases, and the sad part of it is that a number of deaths are those of nurses who went to the Quarantine Station to fight the epidemic. No one believed that it was possible to keep out the epidemic as long as this^—but since it has been done, Australia is beginning to hope that, after all, she will escape New Zealand's terrible experience. On the broad facts, however, we should do that in any case. New Zealand wne taken completely by surprise, but the dominion appears to have got the disease tmder control as soon as she could got organised for the task. A-ustralia, having been warned, is fully organised ready and waiting. Tho appearance of any case outside of quarantine will be followed by swift and drastic action in the direction of isolating the patient and all contacts. The people know that, if the disease comes, danger lies in crowds, and everyone will try to give four good feet of space to the other. Vaccination depots have now been in operation for several days. There is a steady stream of people through them—but among the population generally there apTHE DEATH ROLL. FIGURES FOR THE CENTRES. (Pbb United Pbess Association.l OinHSTairUR.CH, December 19. The Hon. G. W. Russell • stated to-day that the Registrar-general has supplied the following iigures showing the deaths from iniiuenza and pneumonia following influenza in the four chief, centres, from October 1 •to December 17:— Auckland _ _ ._ „. „. ... 1021 Wellington _ ... _..,._ 564 Christehuxch _. ... 466 Dunedin - „. _ ... 204 Total ... .„ „ ... „ .„ 2345 The Minister :s -unable to sopply the figures for the country distriots. AUCKLAND QUARANTINE STATION. DHATH OF VOLUNTARY WORKER (Pkb United Pbess Assooiatiok.) AUCKLAND, December 19. Mrs Browning, wife of Lieptenant E, J. Browning, a voluntary worker during the epidemic, died at the quarantine station. Sister Bailsford is still dangerously ill. There Lie 14 eases in hosp.tal on the one patient being dangerously ill. THE WEST COAST. (Peb United Pbess Absociatioh.) WESTPORT, December 19. rwo deaths from influenza occurred at Denniston this morning, both victims beinir young rcarried women. In Westport influenza is stampe'd out GREYMOUTH, December 19. Jxl connection with influenza fatalities, the Oobden Ratepayers' Association passed tho following- resolution:— "That,, in oases of distress arising out of the recent epidemio where a mortgage is held in private hands' the Government should g-ive facilities to assist the mortgagors to retain their homes and, if desired, to transfer tho moj.tna.Ke oii moro favourable terms." Influenza has completely disappeared from Greymouth. The weather is Ideal

pears to bo a belief that the Tacrine "is not much good." Doctors give no positive assuraace-they only say that they inoculation will assist tho patient. The number of persons who, though inoculated, died at the Quarantine Station seems to be at tho root of the people's doubts The stones, however, of the epidemic -which are coming from New Zealand have sent a thrill of horror through the country, and if the epidemio does.break quarantine, there will be a rush for vaccination-or anything else which promises to give some promise of immunity. Tho people are quietly waiting now—a week ago they were distinctlv