INFLUENZA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16797, 29 March 1919, Page 9

INFLUENZA.

- l ? RiSil OUTBREAK AT HOME -Australian and N Z. Cable As.sn .-/ 'J' LONDON", March 27. The influenza feriidemie is again lagjng with violence. There is' a shortage ot doctors and nurses. - THE EPIDEMIC COMMISSION. CHRISTCHUJtCH EVIDENCE. ; (Per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, March 28. Giving evidence before tho Epidemio yesterday, Mr L. A. Stringer, Town Clerk, Lyttelton, said that in his opinion the disease had been brought to Lyttelton by the steamer : Waihora, which arrived prior to November 13, with influenza on board, and the crew was not isolated. Of. 45 aboard only seven escaped the malady, and there nad been sevefal deaths. He considered that power should be given to the District Health Officer to insist on locals bodies framing by-laws to cope with infectious diseases. Mr William S. Wharton, secretary to the Hospital Board, gave details as to the organisation and statistics during the epidemic, and spoke in praise of the "block system." He considered that Hospital Boards and Health Inspectors should be under the control of trie District Health Officer, so far as sanitary work was concerned.. Mr Alfred C. Maxwell, headmaster of the ~Beckenbam school, who had acted as assistant to Dr Chesson during the epidemic, gave evidence as to the success of the "block system," and said that in the event of a recrudescence there should be some controlling authority, preferably the District Health Officer. Mr Mark Kershaw, Chief Health Inspector, expressed the opinion that more _ power and responsibility should bo given Health Inspectors.. Experienced men were not permitted to put theif jjjeas into practice, and their instructions to householders were often overridden by the Health Officer. Dr Ghesson, recalled, said he had no recollection of informing the Mayor on November 6, that there was 110 cause for alarm-

Mr L. Hardie, Chief Sanitary Inspector for the City Council, demonstrated an for the artificial ventilation of public buildings, and showed how picture theatres, etc, could receive a continuous current of fresh air. The Commission concluded its sitting in Christchurch to-day, and goes to Dimedin' to-uionw.