INFLUENZA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17635, 27 May 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA.

NEW SOUTH WALES WEEK-END REPORT. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, rm. SYDNEY, May 26 .ihere were 20 deaths from influenza in city and country durino; the week-end. DEATH IN NORTH CANTERBURY DISTRICT. (PES UniTKU .fKiiSti ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHUROH, May 26. One death iiom influenza in the North Canterbury Health District was reported last week. OASES DM THE DOMINION. BOARD OF HEALTH REPORTS. (Peb United Pbkss Association.) WELLINGTON, May 26 A- report furnished to tho Minister of Public Health, shows that tho number of cases o£ influenza notified between May 19 and 22 was 29, of which five were severe ihere were two pneumonic cases in Waikato, and one pneumonio and two severe cases in North Canterbury. All the" rest were mold. The cases according to health districts were as follow:—Auckland Health District 7 j Wellington, 11; Canterbury, 8Otago, 3. Z ' The renovation of Somes Island quarantine station is being proceeded with rapidly work mCn beil * emplov€d °n the SHOULD A RBOaUDBSOENCE OCCUR. DEPARTMENTAL PRECAUTIONS. HINTS TO THE PUBLIC. (Fbom Oue Own Cojjbespondent.) WELLINGTON, May 26 At the request oi tho Minister, the Public Health Department has iurnished a report as to the precautions recommended in case of a recrudescence of the. epidemic. With regard to the use of vaccines and inoculation, diet, avoidance of contact, and avoidance Wlt h crowds, the report is to the effect that ample stocks of vaccine havo been prepared and distributed to the various hospital boards to bo available "to those practitioners who desire to use them. As regards inoculation, the department does not recommend it, for tho reason that the results where it has been tried are not by anv means convincing enough to justify its adoption generally. The Chief Health Officer nas : communicated with New South Wales asking to bp advised as to tho result of inoculation there, but the reply has not yet come to hand. J With regard to diet, a pamphlet which has been prepared is now awaiting confirmation before jssue When ready a large supply S? iIE&SL*** cirouiated) pri * cipally » The report continues: " Avoidance of contracting the disease can best be obtained bv the public generally observing tho ordinary rules of health: fresh air and good foodby having due regard to sudden changes of climate and changing thoir underclothing accordingly; also an occasional cleansing of the nose and throat with a mild antiseptio " Kegarding the avoidance of crowds the report states: "The- practice of persons mixing with crowds is a most important factor in causing a recurrence of tho disease but it is doubtful whether tho department can sufficiently stress tho point to.make the public realise the danger they are facing without tending stewards panic amongst the hysterically-inclined section of the com munity." wm- . Other matters to which the public are advised to give attention are to see that their houses are well ventilated by open windows and doors; to avoid unnecessary travel in trams, teams,'and steamers. People should be encouraged to walk to work more than at present. The department advises also prompt isolation and early notification of every suspected case by the householder as' .a measure that will assist greatly in dealing with a recrudescence. b The Local Government Board in Britain has lately published a valuable article on the prevention of influenza. This i B being rePublic Health in the current number of the Journal of Public Health. Copies are being despatched to all local bodies in New Zei land and 50,000 copies, or more if necLsS' of tho measures of personal precaution recommended by the Local Government Board are to bo reprinted. An arrangement will bo made with the postal authorities for a copy to bo left by tho letter-carriers at every house in the dominion. Tho Minister hopes that by giving this information from the most valuable authority in the world to the people of New Zealand the Health Department may be assisted in dealing with the sickness should it ever corno again. POSITION IN NEW ZEALAND. INDICATIONS OF RECRUDESCENCE LESS. (Peb United Press Association.) x . WELLINGTON, May 26. The Minister of Public Health states that reports received indicate that influenza is well m hand in the dominion, and ihe indications of a recrudescence, which were rather strong a few weeks ago, have not materialised. It is necessary to follow a pohoy of caution for a little while longer but directly the position in Australia" is sufficiently improved to make it probable that no danger would be incurred thereby people -would be permitted to return to New Zonl-icd.