SMALLPOX SPREADING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13131, 18 July 1913, Page 3

SMALLPOX SPREADING.

SYDNEY'S ALARMING REPORT. VICTIM TRAVELLING IN TRAIN. MORE HOSPITAL NURSES ! AFFECTED. (Press Assn.— By Telegraph— Copyright.) SYDNEY, July 17. In spite of all precautions, smallpox ia steadily spreading. There were 26 cases to-day,* ten m one suburb; eight m ono family. One reassuring feature of 'the smallpox epidemic is that it has continued to remain m its mild form. With the increase m the number of cases during the past few days, the lull, which was becoming apparent among vaccines has ended, and' the depots are again busy. To-day's cases include two more Prince Alfred Hospital nurses. On the arrival of a train from Gren-fe-11 this morning a male passenger proceeded to the Health Department and reported that he was ( suffering from a rash, which he believed to he smallpox. A diagnosis disclosed the disease m a highly infectious state. The man went to Grenfell from Sydney a fortnight ago, and on discovering the rash boarded the train without any precautions, and mixed freely with the passengers. The train was immediately disinfected, and the authorities are asking the passengers to report themselves. The incident* has caused uneasiness among railway travellers, the number of which has enormously decreased since the outbreak. Tlie hotels and boarding . establishments are feeling the pinch badly, and there are very few visitors from the country or other States. Tha Hairdressers' Association has ordered all members to be vaccinated. Other public bodies whoso duties involve a danger of infection are taking similar precautions. The staffs of many firms, including the Union Steamship Company,: are much depleted, many employees being absent suffering from the effects of vaccination. (Received July 18, 9.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 18. The New South Wales Cabinet lias decided to introduce a Compulsory Vaccination Bill as a matter of urgency when Parliament meets at the end of July. . • . ! A number of persons have been discharged from quarantine as recovered, including fifteen released yesterday. Tlie Maunganui, wluch is due to-day from Melbourne, has four passengers who travelled by the Kaoroola from Sydney to Melbounle. They will be closely watched. MELBOURNE, July 17. As a result of the Karoola incident (a lady passenger having been stricken with smallpox) there has been a great rush for vaccination. Th© Karoola's ; passengers are being traced and the necessary precautions adopted. (Received July 18, 9.50 a.m.) MELBOURNE, July 18. None of the contacts aboard the Karoola liave so far been discovered to have developed smallpox. Tlie hunt for o her passengers continues. About sixty 'aio missing. Owing to the decrease of the passenger traffic the Union Company -withdraws the Willochra, which, on^arrival iat Sydney.' on Tuesday, will be laid up. Consequently there will be no steamer i from Sydney to Wellington to-morrow week. The passengers who booked hy the. Willochra. for July 26th will be carl ried by the Maheno or Niagara to | Auckland, whence' the company pays the fare by rail or steamer to Welling- . ton.

I A cable report states that the New i Zealand health authorities reserve th<* right to revaccinate passctagers. from Sydney. ...

(Received July 18, 9.50 a.m.) HOBART, July 18,

The condition of the suspect at Deloraino has improved. It may not be smallpox. 7 He had the measles before leaving Sydney.