INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Southland Times, Issue 17929, 5 November 1918, Page 6

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

MOBILISATION AT AUCKLAND SUSPENDED.

(Per United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, November 4. In consequence of influenza at Auckland the Defence authorities have decided not to mobilise the Auckland quota of recruits, about 130, who were to enter camp this week. It is probable too that a number of Raratongaos who were expected to arrive in New Zealand shortly will be sent back to their homes. Four medical officers were released from military duty and left for Auckland on Saturday. SERIOUS PHASE AT AUCKLAND. WHOLE HOUSEHOLDS STRICKEN. —vr SOME DISTRESSING CASES. AUCKLAND, November 4. A serious phase of the epidemic is that in numerous instances whole households have been simultaneously affected. In one case reported yesterday a mother, her three daughters, and a grandchild were stricken. They had a nurse in the house but she had so much to do that she was unable to render the patients proper attention and was compelled to continually seek outside assistance. This was prompt!}’ rendered by the citizens’ committee.

In another case a woman whose husband was a patient elsewhere was discovered in a state of collapse by a tradesman on his round. This woman had two babies in her care, twins only a few weeks old. When her grocer called she had been ‘unattended and alone for three days, and she was delirious. The household arrangements had been entirely neglected. The tradesman procured a doctor and the woman was sent to hospital. He reported that this was by no means the only case he had come across recently. He had found some women lying on the floor and had assisted them to bed and obtained assistance:

Numerous cases are reported of mothers suffering from influenza being compelled to run further risks by getting up tq, attend the wants of the young children and babies, sick and otherwise. Doctors have frequently been rung up and begged to send medicine to families, every member of which was ill. Many people are being stricken suddenly. An instance occurred on the wharf yesterday, when a carter collapsed without warning and had to be taken to hospital. GENERAL DISORGANISATION. 224 CASES AT NARROW NECK. BUSINESS SERIOUSLY HAMPERED. AUCKLAND, November 4. One hundred and twenty of the Tram Company’s staff are affected and to-day the car services were 22 cars short. At Narrow Neck camp there are 224 cases, some with pneumonia complications. The Taupiri Co.’s Rottorwaro mine at Huntly has shut down. The company’s output is reduced by 200 tons daily. The railway workshops are closing. Telegraph business is delayed, the ferry service has been curtailed, and three vessels are laid up. The running of the mosquito fleet has been affected. There was a constant procession through the public fumigation rooms to-day. One of the victims is Mrs Tau Henare,' wife of Mr T. Henare, M.P.