THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Southland Times, Issue 17962, 13 December 1918, Page 5

THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

AMUSEMENT PLACES TO BE REOPENED. Reports regarding the passing of the epidemic yesterday wer# as promising as ever, intimation of new cases from town and country being practically nil. It is true that there are still a few people contracting the disease, but in almost every case, the complaint is of the ordinary type such as before the days of the epidemic was looked upon as creating no need for anxiety. The doctors in the country are still busy, however, and it can be readily understood that they have little time to spare in which to make returns to the Health Department. Consequently, the notifications of deaths so far received —numbering about 250 cannot, unfortunately be taken as a true indication of the epidemic ravages in Southland. From to-morrow, subject to certain conditions, the picture theatres and other places of amusement will be opened all over Southland, vyith the exception of the Otautau district where the disease is still somewhat strongly in evidence. TRIBUTE TO WORKERS. At last night’s meeting of the H. and C. A. Board, the Chairman (Mr Jas. Fleming) reported as follows regarding the manner in which the epidemic was combated in Southland:—

“Since our last meeting this district, in common with other parts of the dominion, has experienced the full force of the influenza epidemic, which in a particularly virulent form has already travelled over other portions of the globe. The death rate has also been heavy, although at the present time no official figures are available. Fortunately for this district the experience of the North Island put the people of Southland sufficiently on their guard to organise themselves into committees to combat the disease with the result that although the virulence of the epidemic has been severe, it has not lasted very long, and already it is well on the wane and things are resuming their normal condition. The staffs and inmates of the Board’s institutions have experienced a very trying time, and tfre regret to state that two members of the Southland Hospital staff succumbed in .the persons of Nurse Hilda Corbett and Cook Jessie Blackler. To their relatives and friends, I wish on behalf of the Board, to extend its sincere sympathy, At Invercargill as many patients as possible were discharged including a number of returned soldiers, who were transferred to the new convalescent Home at Enwood. The Committee of Management of this Home having expeditiously furnished this new institution, and thus relieved the bed accommodation at the hospital.. The Board is indebted to the staff of the Melrose College, under Miss Fyffe for taking over the control of the domestic arrangements, while Sister J. D. Wilson, formerly assistant matron of the Southland Hospital, took charge of the nursing, assisted by a splendid body of voluntary helpers, at the Girls’ High and Technical Schools. The Technical School buildings were used as a children’s hospital and in connection therewith, the Board is indebted to the committee of the Presbyterian Social Service Association, directed by Mr Ker its secretary, for having taken over the running of this department. Dr J. G. Macdonald acted as Medical Officer for both these temporary hospitals, and I cannot speak too highly of his unremitting care and attention to all the patients that were accommodated there, as well as his attention to a large number of district patients who, owing to a depleted and overworked medical staff, required attention. A strong Citizens’ Vigilance Committee was formed in Invercargill tvith Geo. Cruickshank, Esq., as chairman, and J. Gilkison, Esq., vice-chair-man, and this committee did very fine work in organising voluntary nursing and other help for all sick and suffering in the district. This Committee also undertook the organising of voluntary workers for the Southland Hospital in caring for the sick and suffering in that institution, and some very fine work was done. Unfortunately later on through some hitch in the organising arrangements a request was made to me through the Vigilance Committee for the employment of a certain number of paid orderlies. These however have now been paid off. A special word of commendation is due also to the Board’s institutional staffs for the splendid service they rendered during a most trying period. Owing to the majority of the staff in the Southland Hospital being incapacitated, those who happily were immune had to work exceptionally long hours,to try and cope with the abnormal condition of things where life and death were concerned. The work that those nurses undertook and the hours they were compelled under the circumstances to remain on duty have given rise to some discussion in the papers regarding nurses' hours of duty and remuneration. REMARKS ON REPORT. In speaking to his report the chairman said: “Without the service of Miss Birss and Mrs Cruickshank I do not know how the affairs of the Board would have been attended to during the- epidemic, as its secretary (Mr Pryde) was laid aside for some time.” He was sure that many people in Invercargill had reason to be thankful for these ladies’ great services.— (Applause.) Miss Birss expressed regert that the voluntary organisation should have broken down, and that, for a time, it should have been necessary to have paid orderlies in the men’s wards. It was indeed a great pity that, with so many working heroically, there should be those unwilling to give their services without payment. The report was adopted. STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS. APPEAL TO PREMIER. TO FACILITATE RETURN. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, December 12. Received December 12, 9.40 p.m. The following cable has been despatched to Mr Massey: “A deputation representing over three hundred stranded New Zealanders urge immediate assistance to return to the dominion, and suggest that you approach the Union Company, the Federal Prime Minister, and the State Premier urging them to use their influence to settle any dispute between the crew and the Company in order to despatch the Moeraki immediately. There is no sign of the steamer leaving unless strenuous outside pressure is exerted. Many cases of hardship will occur if delay is unduly prolonged.” The Port Sydney is expected to sail on Friday, taking passengers. THE MANUKA AND MOERAKI. - • BETTER ACCOMMODATION FOR CREWS REQUIRED. SYDNEY, December 12. The Seamen’s Union does not object "to members signing on the Manuka, the Moeraki, or any other steamer provided the crew’s quarters arc healthy and comfortable. The New South Wales branch of the Union has endorsed the resolution adopted by the Victorian branch that it considered the accommodation provided for crews on shipboard wholly for the introduction of Spanish influenza into New Zealand and urging the Federal authorities to take the necessary steps to improve such accommodation. [As a result of conferences which have taken place during the past couple of days between the marine superintendent of the Union Steam Ship Company (Captain McDonald), and Mr W. T. Young (general secretary of the Seamen’s Union) and Mr W. Clarke (secretary of the Dunedin branch)*, an agreement has been come to (reports the Dunedin Times) undft which the company has decided to re-arrange and improve the accommodation for the men on 14 of the company’s steamers. the alterations, it is understood, will be fairly extensive. The need of alterations, on Other

steamers, as far as the men’s quarters are concerned, will be brought under the company’s notice in due time. Mr Young will return to Wellington this morning.] TRANSPORT AFFECTED. , ( SYDNEY, December 12. The transport Boonah, recalled on reaching South Africa, has returned to Fremantle with 300 influenza cases aboard. There has been one death. THE TARANAKI DISTRICT. POSITION SATISFACTORY. (Per United Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, December 11. Most of the temporary hospitals in the 1 Taranaki Hospital district are now closed and the worst cases are being brought into the New Plymouth Hospital. The early and complete organisation of the whole district has kept down the mortality to a low figure. The Maoris have suffered most, but the preventive measures taken have minimised the deaths. The discharges from New Plymouth Hospital are now in excess of the arrivals. < Three hospital nurses have succumbed to the disease. Speaking generally, the position in the district is quite satisfactory, normal conditions having almost been reached. OUTBREAK ON THE MAKURA. FOUR SERIOUS CASES. AUCKLAND, December 11. There are still four serious cases among the 35 Makura patients on the quarantine island. Among the passengers liberated yesterday was Mr T. G. Russell, brother of the Minister of Public Health. INFLUENZA ORPHANS. STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. WELLINGTON, December 12. A Hospital and Charitable Board deputation interviewed Mr Russell, Minister of Health, regarding the care of children orphaned by the influenza epidemic. The chairman (Mr Baldwin) said so far they Rad information of 205 children in the district who had lost father or mother or both and a few more cases were yet to be reported. Mr Russell said he could not see how the Government could differentiate in favour of children orphaned by the epidemic as against those who lost their parents by some disaster. The question was only another phase of the problem that was always with us. There must be a clear line of demarcation between the responsibilities of the Education and Health Departments. There was a strong feeling in favour of these children being placed under adoption and he thought application should be sought from country people prepared to adopt the children. The Government should pay them an amount equal to the cost of maintenance of children in an institution. The children would thus get the advantage of a healthy home life.