INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Southland Times, Issue 18622, 21 August 1919, Page 6

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. HEALTH OFFICER’S WARNING TO DOCTORS. (Per United Press Association)CHRISTCHURCH, August 20. In his capacity as a medical man, the Mayor of Christchurch (Dr. Thacker, M.P.), has received the following circular letter from the District Health Officer, which has been sent to all doctors in Christchurch. “As many of the pneumonia cases notified recently have, after admission to the hospital, shown indications that, they belong to the epidemic influenzal type, although not so severe, it is necessary that we should look upon all pneumonias, whether lobar or bronchial, with suspicion, and I shall be glad, therefore, if ybu will co-operate with the Department and advise me promptly should you have any suspicion that cases under your care are not of the simple variety. Precautions will be taken from now onwards with regard to the strict isolation of any pneumonia cases, and I am desirous that where possible such cases should be removed to the hospital. If, of course, you, from careful observation, are able to state definitely that a pneumonia under your care is of the simple type only, then some consideration can be given to the modification of the above suggested action.”