MINISTER HOPEFUL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1628, 3 May 1919, Page 11

MINISTER HOPEFUL.

" NO IMMEDIATE DANGER."

When approached this morning by a Sun representative with regard to the general influenza position, the Minister of Public Health (Hon. Q.M. Bussell) was not inclined to taue' a" pessimistic view.

"There is nothing to justify any alarm," said Mr Bussell, "and I don't in the slightest degree think jthat the notification figures that are being received indicate any immediate danger of recrudescence."

The Minister consulted his files to ascertain the number of cases notified during the three days ended at noon on Thursday.- They were:—

Auckland Health District .. ..20 Wellington Health District ■*;" 10 Canterbury Health District .. 23

Of these, eight were pneumonic and six others classed as severe. The Canterbury cases were those detailed In The Sun yesterday.

■ Those figures showed, commented Mr Eussell, that there,was a certain amount of influenza throughout the -Dominion, but that was to be expected. Until the November-December, epidemic, influenza "had. not been a notifiable disease, so that there were no statistics available for comparison, so that the position could be accurately diagnosed. But he did not think that the'figures indicated an immediate danger of recrudescence, . although sporadic cases were practically eertain to manifest themselves from time to time in various parts of the Dominion. However, the organisation was now,"lie thought, in a sufficient .condition to enable." the Dominion, should there be anything approaching a recrudescence, to meet. ,it in everyway upon better lines than was the case last year, when the trouble came so swiftly. .. Questioned as to whether it was likely that inhalation chambers would be reopened, the Minister shook his head vigorously. "Oh, no!" he said. "Nothing like that yet." CENSUS OF DRUGS. A PRECAUTIONARY STEP. Under instructions from the Minister of Public Health (Hon. G. W. Eussell), the Government Statistician is to take a Dominion census of drugs and medical requisites that would be necessary for epidemic purposes. Mr Eussell informed a Sun representative to-day that information would be obtained from both retail 'and wholesale dealers, and that it'would eover, besides stores held in stock, all on order 'from abroad, but due to arrive in New Zealand before -*July 31, 1919. The usual annual requirements will also be ascertained. - AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT. GERMS NOT PRIMARY CAUSE. * Dr.'Tuacker informed a Sun representative that ho had received the following report from a medical man in Edinburgh:— ~} ; ,: . "Robert H. Vciteh, M.8., writes:— Some two months ago Dr. Eosenau,- of Harvard University, was commissioned by the American Government to make experiments upon living subjects, in order to ascertain more concise knowledge as regards the etiological factors associated with this disease which has already caused such an enormous mortality throughout the /civilised world. Dr. Eosenau called for volunteers from the United States Navy. A number offered themselves for experimentation. About six healthy sailors were chosen, and confined within a> Certain radius, under the "supervision and watchful eyes of the doctor and his associates. The subjects were made to imbibe potent influenza germs in an appropriate media .with their food) and through their nostrils, while in two cases the bacilli were Injected into the tissues of the • body. This was continued from day to day for several weeks. At the conclusion of the experiment all the soldiers had gained in weight, and were in better health than at the commencement of the ordeal. Dr. Eosenau afterwards remarked iha't-'-tke medical profession know nothing about the etiology of the disease.'

"What does Die foregoing teach us? It suggests that germs are not the primary cause of influenza, but rather act only as all exciting cause. The real cause is enervation—lowered vitality of the individual. Medical leaders of the nation must get busy and remove those conditions which tend to a lessening of the; virility of the people. Palliatives achieve nothing. Housing conditions must be revolutionised with due and proper regard for sane ventilation. Environmental predispositions must be recognised as being a big factor hi' the matter. A proper understanding of diet, personal and municipal hygiene is .essential if the. increasing rjrevalence of the disease, is .to be offset. When the people fcarn'. and know &o$ to take pro-, per, care of their bodies' they will then know, how'to. avoid and retard those diseases which, beset them. -But the jgedical practitioner must do his part —he must educate his patient better than he has done in the past. Dr. Addison and the proposed Health can aecpraplish wonders in this, respect if proper regard is given to the

immutable laws of Nature, which govern tho health and life of the individual and the community."

CASES AT BLACKBALL.

Press Association. GREYMOUTH, May 3. There are many cases of diphtheria, scarlet fever, and influenza at Blackball. THE MANUKA'S CREW. FUTHER CASES DEVELOP. Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 3. Ten more cases of influenza have developed amongst the crew of the Manuka on Somes Island. There are other suspects. AUSTRALIAN~PRECAUTIONS. Bu Callc — Press Association — Copyright. (Rec. May 3, 11.35) BRISBANE, May 3. The Government has announced that as the State is infeeted with influenza 'all theatres and pieture shows will be I closed from to-day.