Contagious Diseases.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXI, Issue 3570, 26 June 1903, Page 2

Contagious Diseases.

THE SMALLPOX OUTBREAK.

Launceston, Jane 23. Five fresh cases of smallpox occurred in town yesterday, including Dr Bernard, bouse surgeon at the Hospital. The bouses and patients have been isolated, and every precaution taken. The Union Company insist that all passengers applying for tickets mnst produce vaccination certificates. If the New Zealand Government imposes stringent regulations the company will temporarily abandon Hobart as a port of call, but a direct cargo boat will be put on the Hobart-Melbourua trade, and passengers will have to go via Launceston. Consternation prevails over the fact that since the Ifitii inst fifteen persons, have been discharged from the hospital after suffering, from what is now known as smallpox liable to spread the disease in .ail directions. A large number of vaccinations have ./taken place. Precautions have been taken in other states against Tasmania, which is declared infected.

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST SPREAD

Launceston, June 24. In opening the Launceston criminal court to-day the presiding; Judge, after consulting the Health

Authorities, said he would only tf*ka pleaded guilty cases, otherwise -:i large number of witnesses from the country would run the risk of smallpox. The passengers and crew of the Tokotnaru landed despite instructions from the Health Officer.

Everything possible is being done to prevent the spread of smallpox to Hobart. Mails and persons travelling in mail trains are daily fumigated. . THE ORIGIN OF THE OUTBREAK. THE GRACCHUS AGAIN.

JJobabt, June 25. A scare was caused here by a patient being admitted to the hospital with symptoms similar to but which proved to be chicken-pox. There was one fresh case of small-pox at Launceston yesterday. The Board of Health has suggested the isolating of the town.

It is now stated that no doubt the disease was brought by the Gracchus passenger and the first patient in contact with him developed small-pox a fortnight after.

THE PLAGUE

Sydney, June 24,

A increasing number of plagued rats and mice are being, found in various parts of the city and suburbs. A crusade is again being vigorously started. The Board of Health has asked the Government to sanction the payment of fid a head for all rats and mice. Auckland, June 24. A case of supposed plague is reported here. The victim is a newspaper runner-boy. The patient and the family have been isolated. ,

THE SUPPOSED AUCKLAND CASE.

Wellington, June 25.

The Health Department reports that the boy in Auckland, supposed to be suffering from plague, is making an excellent recovery.