H.—l9b

On the 10th July the camp was reduced in numbers, and detachments of men were sent to Tauherenikau, Waikanae, and Palmerston North, where many of them were under treatment for measles. The return of cases of measles given above, therefore, refers only to those under treatment at Trentham, Kaiwarra, Wellington Hospital, and other places in or near Wellington, and does not include the large numbers treated at Palmerston North, Waikanae, &c. 56. A review of the influenza, colds, and sore-throats group shows the following number of admissions for the various months : — December ... ... ... ... ... 27 January ... ... ... ... ... 77 February ... ... ... ... ... 32 March '... ... ... ... ... ... 40 April ... ... ... ... ... ... 69 May ... ... ... ... ... ... 126 June ... ... ... ... ... ... 707 July ... ... ... ... ... ... 736 The remarks on the July return for measles apply equally to that for influenza, colds, and sore throats. . 57. Measles and a few cases of influenza appeared in camp in the month of November. From December onwards measles, influenza, colds, and sore throats ran concurrently. At first all of these maladies were of a mild character. At a later period the mild character evolved into a more threatening one, and the number of men struck by them increased. When this group assumed an aggressive character pneumonia, and then cerebro-spinal meningitis, appeared as serious sequelae. 58. In February 3,035 men left the camp, and the Fifth Reinforcements, with other details, entered the camp, making, with those remaining over from January, a total of 6,508 men who were " possible contacts " to any infectious disease present. In February there were twenty-four cases of measles and thirty-two of influenza and septic sore throats. In February the incidence of measles was therefore % per cent. During March and April 1,179 men left the camp for abroad, 2,294 men of the Fifth Reinforcements remained over from February, and 2,371 new troops arrived, making a total of 5,844 " possible contacts " for influenza, measles, and septic sore throats. 59. Taking the months of March and April together there were 154 admissions for measles and 109 for influenza and septic sore throats. The measles incidence was therefore about 2-6 per cent., and the other group about 1-7 per cent. In April it was important to have noted these figures for measles, because during those months influenza and septic sore throats were occurring concurrently, although in a slightly smaller ratio, all the groups had been present since December, and from December to April the camp had not been free from influenza and sore throats. It was advisable also to have taken notice that the two groups of maladies were of an infectious character, and were present in a soldiers' camp where the men were young and untrained, unaccustomed to strict hygienic camp laws, and possibly a little careless in observing them. 60. In April, therefore, these figures were significant, and, if they had been appreciated by the medical service, should have caused some disquietude Given suitable conditions, such as overcrowding, imperfect sanitation, and the approach of the cold and wet of winter, any infectious disease of a respiratory nature might assume menacing proportions. In May the total number of measles, influenza, and septic sore throats was 306. The Director of Medical Services (Colonel Purdy) deposed that, as far as he could judge, " infectious diseases became epidemic on the 26th May." 61. During the period from the 18th to the 26th May, 116 men had left camp for abroad, and 5,187 still remained, making a total of 5,303 men " possible contacts " for measles. The percentage of measles in this group was 2| per

Statistics o I influenza and colds.

Summary.

Possiblo contacts.

Percentage incidence of sickness.

Figures significant.

Percentage of measles.

iii—H. 19b.

XVII