THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST INFLUENZA.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1489, 20 November 1918, Page 5

THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST INFLUENZA.

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH EASIER. ORGANISATION IN CITY BEING IMPROVED EPIDEMIC STILL SEVERE IN SOME DISTRICTS. PROBLEM OF SPEEDY BURIALS CAUSING MUCH TROUBLE. The position in regard to the influenza epidemic in and around Christchurch. is slightly easier, so far as could be ascertained early this afternoon. Many portions of the city and suburbs have been cleared of the accumulation of cases, and the committees are able to deal with fresh cases as they arise. There are, however, a good many of these new cases, but the proportion of really serious ones seems to be less than previously. Sydenham and Waltham are the portions of Greater Christchurch most seriously affected at present. There is every indication now that, with the observance of proper precautions by the public, the efficient working of the organisatioii—which is being improved by the establishment of sub-depots a'nd the simplifying of methods of communication—and the constant patrolling of districts, the epidemic can be got in hand. A proposal to institute a block system of provision of medical assistance is to be discussed by a conference this evening between the District Health Officer and the committee of the local branch of the British Medical Association. The matter of providing for speedy burials of persons who have died from the complications of influenza has been occasioning much trouble. The Christchurch City Council is now being called upon to solve this problem, so far as the city is concerned. Between midnight on Monday and midnight last night, 62 severe cases were admitted to the public hospitals in Christchurch. There were 20 deaths—l 6in the general hospital and four in the Royal Hotel auxiliary hospital. In North Canterbury the epidemic has spread rapidly.