INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1586, 14 March 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

ROYAL COMMISSION. HON. G. W. RUSSELL'S EVIDENCE. Press Axtforiation. AUCKLAND, March I.'!. Continuing his evidence before the Epidemic Commission to-day, the Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister' of Public Health) produced the Registrar's returns, showing that from .May to October the deaths from influenza ranged in Auckland from nine to 34, and sprung in November to 837. In December they were 12S>. For Wellington, the similar figures were nine to 30, 161 and 506. Christchurch, five to 28, 572 ami 11!). Dunediu, eight to 24, 106 and 145. Sir .John Denniston (chairman) said there was no doubt that sporadic influenza existed, but the doubt was whether the subsequent virulent form was a separate visitation, or a direct following ou of the milder type. Powers of Local Bodies. Mr Russell quoted the registered deaths of Maoris from influenza, the total being 1153. He went on to discuss the powers of local authorities under the law before and after the Amending Act of last year. His purpose was to show that the municipalities had power to deal with insanitary conditions, slum areas, and so on. lie submitted to the Commission a scries of articles which had appeared in the Auckland papers, showing that there were dirty slums in that city when the epidemic was raging. These extracts, he said, were the foundation, and he claimed justification of the telegram which he sent to the Mayor of Auckl?Uid, to which telegram so much exception had been taken. The chairman reserved, in the meantime, the question whether these extracts were admissible as evidence. The Minister then asked whether, in the event of printed matter being ruled out, the reporters who wrote the matter should bo summoned before the Commission to give evidence. This, the chairman said, could not be done. The general question of the admissibility of all this matter was discussed and decided by the Commission, in committee. The Makura Incident. When the Commission resumed, the Minister proceeded to refer to his correspondence with the Mayor of Auckland at the time of the arrival of the Makura on Novenihcr 22. Mr Gunson, he said, had made a strong demand that the Makura should be, quarantined. Witness was unable to give any assurance, except that the matter would be carefully investigated, and this assurance he gave when the information was wirelessed that measles cases we're on board the ship. Measles was not a notifiable disease, but he had information that the sickness was in Auckland. It was flien that Mr Gunson made his declaration that the statement, of the Minister that measles rife in Auckland was contrary to fact. Conditions in Auckland. Witness then sent his telegram to Mr Gunson regarding the insanitary conditions in Auckland. He based his statements in that telegram on information conveyed to him in Auckland, and on articles appearing in the Auckland papers. So much was he impressed with the seriousness of things in Auckland that he sent Dr Freugley to Auckland on a few hours' notice, and a day or two afterwards he went to Auckland himself. From what he saw there he was satisfied that the organisation developed by the Mayor and citizens of Auckland was very efficient. The work of the Mayor and his committees was beyond all praise. He wished to say this as a matter of justice. The Minister said it w-as easy to be wise after events, and he would be a foolish Minister of Public Health who would not have learned some lessons from the experience of the epidemic. No Quarantine Stations. There were at the time of the outbreak no quarantine stations at Auckland, Wellington or Port Chalmers, as all these places were occupied by the Defence Department. Quail Island, at Lyttelton, had for many years been used as a leper station, and the buildings there were- absolutely useless for quarantine purposes. At the time of the arrival of the Makura, the passengers could have been quarantined only in the ship, and this would have constituted a danger of a most dreadful type. On November 6 the Acting-Chief Health Officer recommended that the Defence Department be asked to vacate the quarantine stations. He at once conveyed this recommendation to the Minister of Defence, with an urgent request that it should receive prompt attention. A Difference of Opinion. As to the. control of the organisations to fight the sickness there was a £&. ference of opinion between himself wU the Chief Health Officer. Dr A'alintine thought the best authority to control was the Hospital Board. This might be so if the epidemic was of a limited extent, bat in the event of a visitation like that of last year it would be necessary to call in the aid of the local governing bodies to develop proper organisation. The Minister said one of the greatest troubles in connection with the epidemic - was in dealing with the Native population. They did not understand the need for precautions, and, also, they suffered severely from sickness. Taugis were forbidden, and an endeavour was being made to persuade the Maoris to live under better sanitary conditions, lest another epidemic should come. One of the things revealed by the epidemic experience was the dreadful lack of knowledge of home-nursing. He thought the Government would have to subsidise St. John Ambulance Associations to assist in the instruction of the people in this work. The Women's National Reserve also was interested in this matter, and was arranging for lectures. State Medical Service. One of the 'first necessities of the country for the future would be the establishment of a State medical service. He referred to the bursaries scheme, and the requirement that students, on graduation, should serve as house surgeons in the hospitals; indeed, he would almost be inclined to suggest to the University authorities that the term of service iu hospitals should be a necessary complement to a graduation course. Experience in hospital was necessary to young men about to enter practice. The Minister said he was not in favour of the Makura being quarantined in the circumstances as they then were. Mr "Massey received a telegram from the Press' delegates iu the ship, and Mr Massey and he agreed that it would be dangerous to the passengers to keep.them on board the ship in quarantine. Dr Valintine was given authority to release the ship from quarantine if he thought fit, and with his decision to do so the Minister wished to associate himself. Mr ltussell referred to the good work done by medical men in the fight with the

epidemic. The question of the supplies of medicine in the event of n recrudescence was under consideration. The ] hospital hoards were being circularised, and asked to forward statements of quantities of medicines ami influenza remedies i which they had in hand.