THE SMALLPOX SCARE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3952, 7 June 1913, Page 6

THE SMALLPOX SCARE.

FURTHER CASES REPORTED

RUKUTAI’S CONDITION IMPROVING.

[BZ TELEG aAPiI—SPECIAL COEEESPONUEKT]

AUCKLAND, June 6

Tho condition of James Rukutai, the half-caste Maori who was isolated yesterday on suspicion that he was suffering from smallpox eight days advanced, is stated to be improving to-day. He is an inmate of the hospital isolation ward at Point Chevalier, and during the forenoon was visited bv the Assistant Health Officer (Dr Monk). Some cases have been reported at Mangere, and the inmates of residences affected ai*i being kept in isolation. The precautions of fumigation are also being resorted to extensively in the neighborhood. Tho difficulty of tracing the outbreak to a definite source is causing the Health authorities some concern, and they are exercising all possible vigilance on that account. Rukutai had prior to his illness been looking after a billiard saloon at Onehunga, and it is thought that some Maoris who had recently been North may have come into contact with him.

As Monday will be the twelfth day of his sickness, it should then be possible for the doctors to declare without possibility of doubt whether the trouble is smallpox, or merely chickenpox, as one or two doctors suggest. Dr. Monk, alter attending the patient to-day at noon, stated that Rukuai’s condition was much improved. Asked if there were any developments to more definitely stamp the case as one of smallpox, Dr. Monk replied that he did not think it would prove to be true smallpox. At the same time he said if this case had occurred in England it would have been put down definitely as smallpox. “It has really been a doubtful case all through,” added the Assistant Health officer; “more especially as there are certain factors connected with the Maoris that are apt to be confusing.” Dr. Monk remarked that Rukutai had improved so much this afternoon that he stated he could “eat a bullock.” There was trouble at Mangere during the forenoon-, when a resident of Mangere reported to the police at Onehunga that some Maoris living near the ropaworks, about a mile beyond the Mangere bridge, were suffering from some disease which had the appearance of chickenpox or smallpox.

A report was promptly passed on to the District Health Officer in Auckland, and Dr. Monk speeded out to Mangere on a trip of inspection. After returning to town he stated that he had isolated in their own homes tire members of three Maori families who were suffering from a mild attack of some pock disease. He added that different members of the families in question had sickened, but that none of them were suffering acutely. Dr. Monk also stated that no connection.- could be traced between the Mangere cases and that now in the isolation ward at Point Chevalier.

It is understood that the condition of a young male Maori named Taha gave rise to the report whic-li . was made to the police. The resident who conveyed the information stated that the Native’s face was very patchy, as though affected by pock marks.

PUBLIC BECOMING ALARMED

HUNDREDS RUSHING TO BE

VACCINATED

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] AUCKLAND. June 6. A large number of people are taking precautions against smallpox, and several doctors are being kept busy vaccinating them. In order to cope with the number wishing to be vaccinated. 1200 tubes of lymptli were sent to Auckland from Wellington for use by the doctors engaged in the work.