EPIDEMICS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14127, 26 May 1920, Page 4

EPIDEMICS.

About seven or eight years ago New Zealand was visited by,an outbreak of smallpox, and hundreds of people in

Masterton alone were vaccinated. There is now in the Otago Health District another outbreak of smallpox, but, fortunately, of a mild type. The epidemic of smallpox of a few years ago was beaten as the result of the Health authorities taking precautionary measures. The same policy is being pursued to-day by the department, and we expect the smallpox epidemic to vanish before long. There is also an increase in the number of influenza cases throughout the Dominion, and the Wairarapa cases, though mostly mild, continue to pile up. The Health authorities are doubtless carefully watching the position, but the co-operation of the public in the matter is .also required. Too much carelessness is displayed, by the public. Large numbers of persons suffering from heavy colds or mild attacks of influenza will persist in frequenting places of amusement, etc., and are utterly callous as to whether they cause influenza to spread. N Of course, if such people are themselves anxious to ‘‘shuffle off this mortal coil,” well and good, but it is no reason why they should cause those who have no desire to die just yet to run the risk of so doing. The law should provide that where a person who is suffering from influenza attends an entertainment he or she should be sent to prison without the option of a fine. An example or two in this direction would undoubtedly have a salfitary effect.