EPIDEMIC COMMISSION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15782, 2 April 1919, Page 9

EPIDEMIC COMMISSION.

FURTHER DUNEDIN EVIDENCE. DUNEDIN, April 2. At the Influenza Commission, Dr Bowie, who was acting-superintendent at the Dunedin Hospital throughout the epidemic period, said that from the 11th November 701 patients were admitted, and 172 succumbed to influenza. <>f these 60 deaths occurred between ages from 21 to 30, and 61 from 31 to 40. Of 116 nurses iu the Hospital, 82 contracted influenza-, and four died. The pandemic came here with explosive suddenness. The first case was admited on November Bth, and on the 11th the Hospital was crowded. The explosive nature of the outbreak convinced him that the pandemic was brought in from elsewhere. He thought there was no doubt but that the disease came to Dunedin after the Christchurch races. Masks were exceedingiy good if used intelligently, but dangerous if used without intelligence. There was no reason for a man in the open air using a mask as long as he was not in contact with a number of people. Masks with strong antiseptics were a mistake. He did not believe in masks as a general prophylactic to be used in the streets. The first matter in preventing disease was to keep it out of a country. This was a public health matter. Ffeips should be quarantined, aud - patients carefully examined, and should sporadic cases appear, they should be isolated. He thought the Public Health office here should have almost unlimited power in case of an epidemic.