INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16295, 23 November 1918, Page 2

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

BIG IMPROVEMENT IN NEW PLYMOUTH. Friday was the lightest day New Plymouth has yet experienced since the outbreak of the epidemic. Only, 85 new cases were reported aa against 161 on Thursday, whilst the total number of houses which had not previously been infected,! was only 25, agamst 56 on Thursday. Only seven cases were listed as serious. The number of recoveries was 69. It will thus be seen that the turning point of the epidemic has been passed, and each succeeding day should show a substantial decrease in the figures. The following table shows the position to date: November

*on the 15th 300 cases were reported, on the 16th, 412; and the 17th, 197. The table shows that at present there are 1528 eases in all stages in the borough of New Plymouth, roughly about 15 per cent, of the total population. This is a very good Showing, when compared with other towns; in some of which the proportion of tin. population affected is reported as high as 40 oer cent. The ‘workers are still very busy, and are conscientiously attending to their duties. One man was evidently determined to let no case go on unrecorded. The following note appears on the back: of one of his report cards; “There is a goat at this house which has developed the ‘flu.’ ” Let us hope that those in charge of the live-stock division were able to prescribe for “Billy” and that he is now on the mend. The special medical corps rendered invaluable help yesterday, perniittina the doctors to undertake more real medical work than was possible before. The cases are sorted out by the members of the corps, and the doctors are thereby able to confine their attention to the cases of a serious character. The ladies’ committee, under the Mayoress, are still working at high pressure supplying food" to those afflicted and arranging for nursing and: domestic help. Some of those engaged in this all-inrnortant work are beginning to feel the strain, and relief is urgently required. Any volunteers will he welcomed. The demand' for medicine bottles of the right kind still exists. Some people in their desire to help have left large numbers of bottles of all shapes and sizes. What is required is bottled of the regulation pattern to" hold sis and eight dunces. CONVAIESCENTS. The convalescents at Kawaroa Park, under iMajor Shepherd, are progressing famously. As the full capacity of the pavilion at Kawaroa has now been just about reacSod, it was decided this morning to prepiare ’the East End Pavilion aa an additional convalescent hospital. This is a most important work, as it is imperative to ease the strain on toe public hospital and the nursing staff there as soon as possible. THE NATIVE HOSPITAL. Thirteen Maori oases are now housed in. the temporal Maori hospital which .has been established in toe Native hostelry. Some of these oases are very bad, one death having occurred yesterday. The (hospital is in charge of. Nurse Hirst and V.A.D.. Wolfe, who had. a very hard day yesterday, working for 12 hours continuously. They have the assistance of two returned soldiers, who volunteered for hospital work. Mr. S. Jackson, his wife, and the custodian, are also helpings and it can be said that the Natives are receiving the test possible treatment. The Medical Superintendent points out that/Maoris who can speak both languages have just now an opportunity of rendering valuable service to their stricken brothers at .toe Native hospital, and of facilitating the work of the nurses, as many of the patients cannot make themselves understood. There is also plenty of scope for their activities 'in other directions at too Native hospital. There is still a large number of Natives at the temporary hosoital established at Tito’s place on the Egmont Road. Several of the serious oases from there were removed to the Native hostel in town. The two committeemen who have done invaluable work in connection with the Natives have been seized with too “flu.” Last evening another committeeman went out to assist. THE CRECHE. Another baby was admitted to the Plunket Nurse’s creche at the Good Temolar Hall last night, bringing the number up to thirteen. This is several more than was at first thought could bo attended to and means constant and untiring work on the part of Nurse Williams and her helpers.. The babies seem to be settling down to their new surroundings and' the nurse reports that her little charges had a good night. POSITION AT THE HOSPITAL.

IMPROVEMENT RECORDED,

It is gratifying to Jeavn that there is a decrease in. the number of cases requiring treatment at the New Plymouth Hospital, and that ere long the convalescents will outnumber the total number of cases coming in. On Friday the admissions numbered 19, New Plymouth supplying 8, Carrington Road'3, Egmoat Village 3, Egmout Road, Durham Road, Kaimata, Pungarehu and Waitara one each. ■, influenza cases at the hospital total Seven deaths were recorded on Friday. . , The institution is by no moans overtaxed. The old hospital bui dmg has still a number of unoccupied beds, and from present indications they win nos be required. As a rule, says Dr. W alker, the epidemic lasts from four to eight weeks, but with the excellent ■ organisation which is being carried on its duration here should ha materially shortened. The .greater proportion of cases in the hospital are of a mild form, the majority of the case* admitted during the past day or two being of such nature. 1 It is believed that Inglewood him gained the mastery of the trouble, no cases being sent in from that district on Friday. * . The organisation which is now practically completed should soon have the effect of decreasing the spread of the disease .and minimising tho number at serious c<u>os*

COUNTRY ORGANISATION. Vigorous steps are being taken in the country districts to form health committees, establish temporary hospitals, distribute medicine, provide proper food, dean underclothing, and in oilier ways to use ©very possible means to alleviate suffering and' wipe out the epidemic, RAHOTU. The public hall has been transformed onto a temporary hospital,, to accommodate 15 patients. Above each bed has been placed a temperature chart «n 6 variation, if any, in the patient’s temperature will be carefully noted. By this means the progress, or otherwise, of a patient can he kept under dose observation. Fortunately, there are not many patients to be cared for np to the present time. Mrs. Groom has been placed in charge, and is being ably assisted by Mrs. Hughson and Constable Liston, along with many other willing workers. The chairman of the committee, Mr. T. P. Hughson, is sparing no efforts to see that the • arrangements are complete. The cases ' in the district are being reported upon daily, and there is an ample supply of medicine. PUNGAREHU. A member of the New Plymouth Health Committee visited this district on Friday, and assisted the residents to arrange the public hall as a temporary hospital. Beds were soon fixed up, and everything is in readiness for receiving patients, some being expected to-day. The hospital has been placed in charge of Nurses Jones and Campbell, assisted by Mr. Hodge, a returned soldier, whose experience in tending the sick on a troopship should prove of value. Forty cases are known to exist in the district. At the outbreak of the epidemic Nurse Campbell and two assistants visited the homes of patients, thereby rendering timely assistance. The shortage of milkers is acute. On one farm an elderly lady and a very young girl have to milk 50 cows, and somewhat similar conditions exist on other farms. However, with the existing arrangemente this disability will soon be largely overcome. WAREA. The public hall has been transformed into a temporary hospital by a willing band of helpers under the guidance of Meedames Clothier and Parker. There were no beds occupied on Friday, but it is expected that patients will be admitted to-day. Arrangements have been mad© to send out a practical nurse to conduct the management. Members of the New Plymouth Health Commits tee will visit the district on Sunday and assist to organise on similar lines to those existing in town. PUNIHO. Little or no organisation is yet apparent in this district, and the probabilities are that the settlers here will combine with Okato, as the latter place has offered all possible assistance. Mrs. A. Basel! is the matron in charge of Okato. The whole of th© above districts are under the supervision of the New Plymouth Health Committee, and Dr. Wade made a visit to-day for purposes of inspection., UPPER MANGOBEI. Mr. Balsom, of Upper Mangorei, took out a stock of medicine to-day and’ will supply it on application to those who need it. Mrs. P. Wells and Mr. J. H. Martin, of Pukearuhe, were in town to-day conferring with the Public Health Committee and obtained all the necessary information, medicines, etc. A committee has been formed and a meeting will be held at Pukearuhe to-night to make arrangements for dealing with the epidemic in that district. Major Keenan, of Wellington, and two trained nurses have arrived, to take charge of the Egmont county district. This will relieve the New Plymouth Public Health Committee of that part of the Taranaki Hospital Board’s district south of Puniho. This afternoon Dr. Wade left for Okato, where he will open a temporary hospital under the charge of Mrs A. S. Hasell. IMPROVEMENT IN WELLINGTON. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 22. _ Reports regarding influenza in Wellington city and surrounding districts continue to he favourable. The Government steamer intended to help in the Lyttelton-Wellington ferry service and are still held up for want of men. Some are available, but ask £1 a day and 2s per hour overtime, which the Marine Department refuses to pay. The Mararoa sails for Lyttelton as usual to-morrow. TO-DAY’S WELLINGTON REPORT. WELLINGTON, Nov. 22. Fifteen deaths of soldiers are reported, also that of Mr. D. Robertson, iron founder. It is believed the epidemic will seriously affect the Maoris. The Wellington Hospital reports a clear improvement. The County Council Conference will not be held. TROUBLESOME WATERSIDERS. AUCKLAND, Nov. 22. A deadlock has arisen between the Union Company and the watersiders regarding the discharge of the Talune’s cargo, principally bananas, th© workers refusing to unload on account of the epidemic. After consultation between the workers and the officers of the Union Confpany and Dr. Frengley, arrangements were made to fumigate the ship and indemnify the workers as in the case of the Niagara, and work will he starting to-morrow morning. -The Auckland Savings Bank opened for business to-day. Supplies or oranges and lemons in the auction marts were commandeered hy the police this morning. Joseph M‘Mahon, picture proprietor, died of the epidemic. HELP FOR SAMOA. WELLINGTON, Nov. 22. Referring to the influenza outbreak at Samoa, the Prime Minister said that in the existing circumstances not much assistance could be sent from New Zealand. The Government, therefore, requested the. Australian Government to help. A reply had been received that the warship Encounter will he sent from Sydney with nine medical men and 35 medical orderlies, tents, drugs, vaccine, and other articles sufficient to meet the need. Mr. Massey praised the prompt, neighbourly action of the Commonwealth authorities.

WANGANUI TURNS THE CORNER. WANGANUI, Nov. 23. The influenza situation appears easier and it is believed that the corner has been turned. A number of cases are still coming in, but they are not of a serious nature. THE SOUTH ISLAND. * ATTACKS LESS SEVERE. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 22. The latest reports show that the virulence of the influenza epidemic is diminishing. The admissions to the hospital yesterday were 46, with 17 deaths, showing a gradual decrease of two on the previous day. Colonel Wylie, in charge of the Christchurch Hospital, says yesterday’s cases were not so severe as previously. The improved system of organisation was doing much to improve the efficioncy of the campaign in the city, but reports indicate that there is need for assistance in the country. The epidemic has appeared at the Lake Coleridge electrical supply station, where 27 cases were reported, five being dangerous, including two nurses, while six of the ten engineers are down. As showing the virulence of the epidemic since the first of the month, there have been 329 burials at the two cemeteries controlled 1 hy the City Council, as compared with 44 for the same period hist year. The figure for several other cemeteries are unavailable. In the country districts influenza is widespread, there being 200 cases, mostly mild, in Cheviot alone. Difficulty is being experienced in obtaining trained nnrses to take charge of the hospitals opened in rural districts, and doctors are suffering from overwork. In the city two new hostels hay© been opened for the reception of children whose parents are down with the malady. LITTLE CHANGE IN DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, Nov. 22.' There is little change as regards the influenza, and the admissions to the hospital are still increasing. This is attributed to the block scheme ensuring, more efficient medical service, the number of visits by doctors to patients being materially reduced to-day. So far, four hospital nurses have died from influenza, The city trams stop running at 1 p.m. on Saturday, and will not resume till Thursday morning. Otago and Southland notify to-day 51 cases. A.t Dunedin Hospital there are 216 oases, an increase of 2. The doctors pronounce that the great number of patients are of a marked mild type. The bureau calls are very much fewer. THE SMALLER TOWNS. BLENHEIM, Nov. 22. To-day the cases of influenza in the Wairau district area were 370, of which 50 are at Seddon, 50 at Pelorus, and Havelock, and 270 at Blenheim. The deaths at Blenheim total three. HOKITIKA, Nov. 22. There were two influenza deaths yesterday. Five dangerously ill cases were reported' to-day. There are continual calls from the country for medical aid. DEATHS AT HOKITIKA. HOKITIKA, Nov. 23. Three deaths from influenza were reported yesterday, including that of Sergeant-Major Thomas Atkins, who won the D.C.M. at Gallipoli, and since his return has been in charge of the Defence Office here, proving a most efficient officer. He leaves a wife and young child. GOOD NEWS FROM GREY- , • MOUTH. GREYMOUTH, Nov. 23. There are excellent reports to-day, and no deaths. The hospital cases show considerable improvement. There are no serious cases on the Otira line. The shops have re-opened. IMPORTANT STATEMENT. INFECTION CANNOT BE CARRIED. Lieut.-Colonel Makgill, Acting-Dis-trict Health Officer, at Wellington on ■Friday made an interesting statement in reference to the danger of infection from those nursing influenza patients. Ho said that some people seemed scared that contact with attendants from the hospitals would cause infection. As a matter or fact, he pointed, there is no clinical evidence that the disease is carried by a third person. All agree that the transmission of the infection is directly from one patient to another. The organisms carrying the disease die very rapidly, and those working in laboratories experience the greatest difficulty in obtaining live cultures. Such difficulty is due to the rapidity with which the organisms die. This fact easily explains that the organisms that lodge in clothes die so quickly that the clothes of those in contact with patients carry no disease. A patient in the early stages by coughing and laughing may scatter organisms in an area up to six feet. Beyond that there is little harm. Dr. Makgill expressed a great desire that the public should he emphatically notified that there is little danger of infection- through contact with those handling patients. That fact could not he too well and widely known when there was a slight tendency towards panic.

18 19 20 21 22 total * Daily cases 207 208 199 161 85 1769 New homes 56 68 56 25 194 Serious cases 6 22 10 7 7 25 Receoveries 17 27 63 66 69 241