INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16304, 3 December 1918, Page 3

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

CONDITIONS REMAIN SATICFACTORY. The position as far as the influenza epidemic is concerned remains satisfactory in New Plymouth. The Health Bureau at Griffiths’ Buildings remains open and a number of members of the committee are continuing their work, although how their activities are confined almost wholly to the country (UsNo calls were made at the houses Under the block system on Monday, but a request has been made that new cases should be notified to the bureau. The report of the statistician for Monday shows 6 new cases, bringing the total cases to 2235; 2 required medical assistance and 3 required food. There were no new houses, no serious cases and none requiring help or nursing. The recoveries reported were 25. “I have the pleasure to-day of reporting only 6 fresh cases,” the report continues, “and of these 4 were in one house, -where a previous case had been reported. Most of the 47 cards handled to-day really belong to yesterday, and with the abandoning of the block system we shall have little opportunity of recording recoveries.” HOSPITAL REPORT. ' At the hospital on Monday there were 13 admissions, 8 from IJruti (due to the clearance of the hospital there) and 4 from New Plymouth. There was one death—Albert E. Kronk, Frankley Road (26.) The total number of cases in the hospital last night was 186, of which 146 were influenza cases. There were 13 discharges—4 to the East End and 9 to Kawaroa,

HOSPITAL POSITION STATIONARY. On inquiry from the New Plymouth Hospital this afternoon it was learned that to-day, up till 2.30, there had been no deaths, no admissions, and no discharges. THE CONVALESCENT HOMES. Regarding the Kawaroa convalescent home the latest report states that 48 patients had been admitted and' 27 discharged, leaving 21 at present in the institution. A report states there have been 38 admissions to the East End convalescent home for women, and 18 discharges, leaving 20 convalescents in the home. A later report states that at the request of the medical superintendent a further five beds have been put in, and a further five patients sent to the establishment, bringing the present total to 25. Both establishments are being conducted as extensions of the public hospital, proper records being kept of admissions and discharges and regular calls made by the medical superintendent. All labour in connection with the institutions has so far been voluntary, and in all probability it will not be necessary to engage paid assistance. FARMING ASSISTANCE. On Monday there were no inquiries from" farmers for assistance, but all the herds that the committee have undertaken to look after are being attended to, and a number of volunteers are still available if necessary. VISIT BY DR. IJOMARE. On Monday Dr. Pomare came to New Plymouth and conferred with the medical superintendent and other doctors. He was taken to inspect the Maori hospitals in the town and district, and eventually expressed the opinion that everything in connection with the care of Native patients was being well handled. Members of the health committee, who conducted Dr. Pomare on his visit of inspection, drew attention to the difficulties which white people had in handling Maori matters—especially in such cases as the present epidemic, to meet which no previous preparations could be made—because there was no Maori organisation that could help. They urged upon Dr. iPormare the necessity for the Government to take action to have Maoris tfiained in medical matters and in other directions so that they could give assistance at such times as the present and avoid the difficulties in caring for the Maori sufferers which Europeans at the present time are having to contend with, though they are not properly qualified to deal with them.

NATIVE HOSTELRY. At the New Plymouth Native hostelry it was reported at noon to-day that there had been no deaths since those reported yesterday. One case was admitted from Pihama yesterday and two patients were discharged, leaving 10 cases at the institution. This morning it was reported that there had been no admissions and that no patients were ready to be discharged tc-day. There were several serious cases. The condition of Mr. S. Jackson and Mr. Brooks, who contracted the complaint while in.charge of the hostelry, was somewhat worse. NORTHERN MAORI DISTRICTS. The Maori visitor reports that he has visited several families and all were free. One family of eight on the Otaraoa Road were living in a house of two rooms. There were two deaths here some weeks ago. and) the house is in a very bad condition. Pukearuhe was quite clean. Mr. Freeth was watching the pahs every day. There had been no cases yet. The Urenni pah was in splendid condition the Maoris themselves having fixed up the dining room as a hospital, and a mild case (a girl) was the only patient there. The Okoke hospital had five inmates. Mr. Pigott, of Urenui, was calling and taking medicine. Onaero was found to he quite free. A family on the Onaero Road was visited. Tho children (seven) and mother had had the trouble, but were now convalescent. At the pah over the Waitara bridge eight patients were convalescent and the pah (in charge of Mr. Manu White) was in good condition. UPPER MANGOREI. A report from Upper Mangorei shows that 25 households have been visited. There are three cases in medical hands, and five convalescent cases. The neighbourly co-operative and mutual help conditions disclosed are admirable. A committee has been set up and reports will he issued direct to the Health Committee. There is telephone communication. The report suggests a number of names of young ladies who can he spared from home duties and will be willing to acquire knowledge in elementary matters that will enable them to render valuable help now and in the future. The report also suggests a house that could be secured for bad cases,.

The Lower Mangorei district is now being organised.

AWAKING. A visitor who, by instruction of the committee, visited Awakino on November 29, reports that he thinks there can bo no doubt that the epidemic has made its appearance in tne district. Three children have died under circumstances which point strongly to influenza in its virulent form, and in addition about 20 cases of sickness have been reported in the Awakino settlement and its immediate neighbourhood. It is not unlikely that there have been other eases in the outlying country. All persons who were reported ill and who were living in and near tho settlement were visited and found to bo convalescent. Fortunately most parts of the district are connected with Awakino by telephone, and the visitor was able to make inquiries which satisfied him that there were no serious cases at that time. In view of the possibility of a further outbreak of the epidemic a committee of settlers had been formed and arrangements jnade to patrol the district systematically. If hospital accommodation was required the Awakino Hall and Farmers Clubhouse were available, and a lady with nursing experience had volunteered her services, and arrangements had been made with the proprietor of Awakino House to do all necessary cooking. The settlers’ committee expressed themselves as deeply grateful for the interest shown by the committee and especially for the assurance that a. duly qualified medical man would go into the district in the event of a serious outbreak.

IN THE OPUNAKE DISTRICT. The Opunake correspondent of the Hawera Star states that on Sunday Dr. Pomare paid a visit to the district, and inspected the Maori hospital at Pihama. and the main hospital at Opunako, and was well pleased with the arrangements and service. He met representatives from all parts of the district in the evening, and addressed them briefly on the manner of dealing with the epidemic, and eulogised the work already done under Major Keenan s supervision. If necessary, a. hospital for Natives will be established at Parihaka. _ In the meantime the Rahotu hospital is dealing with cases reported near there. A Maori woman, Mrs. Conroy (more commonly known as .Lucky ZVlaude), died at her home at Rahotu on Saturday night. There were 10 cases in the Rahotu Native hospital on Sunday night, and three at Pihama. At Opunake there were 16 patients in the main hospital, three children in a smaller building, and at the Convent, where the lusters are undertaking the care of children, there were eight. At Oaonui there were 19, at Rahotu 28, and Te Kiri 8. All the patients are doing well, and there are no critical cases. Several men patients have been classed convalescent, and are enjoying the hospitality of Father Doolag’hty until they are strong enough to resume work. Major Keenan has made some strong remarks about the general condition of affairs existing at the “bachs” at daily factories. These do not apply in every case, but at numbers of factories he has found the “bachs” in a filthy state ,—dirty, greasy tables, littered with dirty dishes and the remains of several meals; floors which have not seen water perhaps for years; filthy bedding, and dirty bunks. Several patients have been brought in from these “bachs,” which must bo a veritable breeding ground for disease. Tlie representative -meeting on Sunday evening decided that every house in Egmont county should he properly fumigated, and details for carrying this out will be completed in a few days.

COUNTRY REPORTS. A report from Okoke, dated Dec. 3, states that a temporary hospital has been opened and that things are going well. Four patients are in the hospital —two adults and two children. The Okato report this morning was to the effect that conditions were satisfactory. There were 16 patients in the hospital. HOURS OF EATING PLACES, ETC. Acting on advice from the health inspector (Mr. A. H. Kendall), the New Plymouth police to-day notified the owners of tea-rooms, restaurants, mar-ble-bars, and other such premises that they were now at liberty to keep open between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Hairdressers were already open, having re-com-menced business on Monday. Hotels, billiard-rooms, picture theatres, and other places of recreation are still closed, REPORTS FROM ELSEWHERE. TO-DAY’S WELLINGTON REPORT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. All the telegraph restrictions due to the influenza have been removed, but curtailed' war conditions continue. Eleven soldiers’ deaths are reported. The cases at the camps number 260, and the serious ones are down to 16. The Hon. G. W. Russell says the most serious aspect now is the native mortality. The deaths in some places are severe. The epidemic had terrible results in Samoa. In Upolu alone the deaths are estimated at 1000. The Cabinet is considering provision of relief for widows and children. A circular has been issued to Hospital Board's. A wireless message from the Chathams reports a serious state of affairs. There is only one- overworked doctor and nurses are urgently required. AUCKLAND, Dec. 2.

The Citizens’ Committee to-day passed a resolution: That in the. interests of the health of the community tho Government bo earnestly requested to introduce immediately the strictest quarantine- regulations with regard to overseas ships from ports where any infectious diseases or sicknesses exist, particularly with regard to ships upon which sickness or is found to exist upon arrival in Now Zealand ports. AVith regard to tho port of Auckland, Motuihi or other suitable quarantine ground should he forthwith provided, and unreservedly placed at tho disposal of the Public Health Department to meet any possible emergency. NAPIER, Dec. 2. There are now over 100 deaths in Napier from tho epidemic, but very few new cases are notified daily, and most of the fatal terminations arise from old cases. AMONG THE MAORIS. DR. POMARE’S AMEAVS. PALMERSTON N., Dec, 3. The Hon. Dr. Pomare, who passed through Palmerston on his return to Wellington to-day, has visited most of the Native centres in the North Island. He expresses himself as sanguine that worst is now over, but says it would

be ia mistake to let up at the present time. Ho says seven Native hospitals have been established and good work is being done at all. IMPROVEMENT IN E-LTHAM. ELTHAM, Dec. 3. The position is greatly improved local!}' in connection with the epidemic. There have been only three admissions to tho emergency hospitals since Saturday. The total deaths in this district to date is 16. THE SOUTH ISLAND. DUNEDIN, Dec. 2. . I Considerable improvement in regard to tho influenza is reported to-day. Only i a few fresh cases were reported, and I calls on the doctors were very much i reduced. A large number of those who ! have been laid aside are now returning to work. NELSON, Dec. 2. There have been no admissions of influenza cases at the Nelson Hospital for three days. Two deaths have occurred since Saturday. There are now 40 cases in the hospital, two being dangerously ill. The epidemic is now believed to be practically over here. Nelson has escaped very lightly in comparison -with most places of a similar size. During November there w r ere 29 burials at tho , Wakapuaka Cemetery, against 12 for November, 1917. There were' three interments in the other cemeteries in the district.

BLENHEIM, Dec. 2. There was no abatement of the influenza to-day. Several fresh cases were reported, and the situation was aggravated by convalescents persisting in mixing with other people. There are several severe cases at the hospital, and 61 patients at the auxiliary hospital. One death occurred to-day, bringing the total to 20. WESTPORT ALMOST FREE. WESTPORT, Dec. 3. Tho epidemic is on its last legs. The district has been practically immune from new cases during the past three days. Tlie patients in the hospital are mostly in tho convalescent stage. Tho town has had a wonderful cleaning up. Shipping is now brisk and everything is now almost back to the normal stage. SOUTH AFRICAN DOCTOR. ON THE INFLUENZA BACILLUS. IjV Telegraph-—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received Dec. 3, 11.55 a.m.) CAPETOWN, Dec. 2. Dr. Eddington, medical superintendent of Grey’s Hospital, has contributed an- article to a Maritzbuvg paper dealing with the so-called Spanish influenza. He claimed to have succeeded in isolating a strepto-bacillus, which was genetically related to that of plague, but was nevertheless no new species, also that, like the bacillus of bubonic plague, this bacillus found a host in rats, fleas and other vermin. •—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.