THE NORTHERN EPIDEMIC.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3981, 11 July 1913, Page 5

THE NORTHERN EPIDEMIC.

ANOTHER CASE IN AUCKLAND

DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICER INTERVIEWED. THINKS OUTBREAK SIMILAR TO THAT IN SYDNEY. [PBESB ASSOCIATION TELEGHAMT AUCKLAND, July 10. Another case of the prevailing pock disease was discovered this morning at a Maori boardinghouse in the central part of the city, the patient being a Native woman. The fact was immediately reported to the Public Health Officer, and arrangements were made for her removal to the isolation hospital.

Reports from various country districts show that an increasing number of Maoris are becoming affected, despite stringent quarantine restrictions being enforced, notably at the Cambridge district. The Health Officer stated to-day that, apart from the case discovered in the Maori boardinghouse, there were no indications of an extension of the outbreak in Auckland. He had heard that the seven Native patients at the isolation hospital were doing very well. In reply to a question as to whether he had yet decided upon a definite diagnosis, Dr. Monk saidi that he had not.

“Would the fact that vaccination had not taken in cases ,pf patients at the isolation hospital be conclusive evidence of small-pox?” the reporter asked. ‘‘l cannot st«ate as to those cases, * was the reply, “because they are not in mv charge.” Are the cases in isolation necessarily either chicken-pox or smallpox, or are they possibly an intermediary disease? was further asked. “Well,” said the Health Officer, “wo believe that the disease is something between the two.” Is it possible that the disease is Maori pock? the reporter inquired. “Hardly that,” was the. reply, “because Maori pock is a mild form of chicken-pox.”. An inquiry into-tbo value of the evidence provided by the results of vaccination upon patients who had not been vaccinated previous to illness was also made of Dr. Maguire, who visited the isolation hospital at Point Chevalier yesterday. He said that the fact of vaccination not having taken effect upon the Maoris who were so treated at the end of last week was not necessarily proof of smallpox, because the lymph might have been defective. At the same time he would call it “confirmatory evidence.” ... Dr. Maguire added that, in his opinion, ali the facts pointed to the probability of the disease being similar to that which was prevailing m Sydney and which was looked upon by the authorities in Australia as being smallpox in a mild form. The Superintendent reports that the patients are doing well. The District Health Officer stated this morning that people were coming forward in very large numbers to be vaccinated. Already about 2000 tubes of lymph had been issued to medical practitioners in and around Auckland. Some 3-50 tubes were distributed yesterday ,and -500 more were being sent out to-day in response to applications, and 1000' more would arrive in Auckland from 'Wellington to-morrow morning. During the pastTew clays, and again to-day the waiting rooms of the doctors who act as public vaccinators have been filled with callers awaiting their turn for treatment, and private practitioners had been extensively called upon in a like manner. The persistency of the demand for lymph testifies further to the popularity of vaccination just now. Each day a‘big batch of Maoris are being vaccinated at the Public Health Office in order that they may proceed to their homes in the" countdy. Otherwise, they are not allowed ito travel by train, steamer, or tramcar. They submit very quietly to the necessity.

SMALL-POX CASE NEAR HAMILTON. A MAORI AFFECTED. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] HAMILTON, July 10. A case of smallpox has been notified at the Maori settlement of Whatawata, where a male Native was infected. The case was brought to Hamilton and isolated at the Hospital. Chicken-pox is spreading among the Natives of the Waikato and the HamTfcon Health authorities are notified of outbreaks at Huntly, Taupiri, Ngaruawahia and Parawera.

DR. VALINTINE INTERVIEWED

CAN’T MAKE DEFINITE PRONOUNCEMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, July 10. In reply to a question this evening the Chief Health Officer (Dr. Valintine) stated that it was still impossible to make a definite pronouncement, as to the nature of the epidemic among the Auckland Natives. He, however, stated that the disease was undoubtedly the same as that existing in Sydney, although it is not smallpox as we know it. The disease, he said, was first known in Trinidad, where it was prevalent for some time before it was diagnosed as small-pox. The first description of it being chic-ken-pox. It spread there to America and from Vancouver to Auckland, as already described. It was believed that the sickness was communicated to the Maoris by a Mormon Elder. The latest- reports from Whangarei received late this afternoon are of a reassuring nature, and the disease does not appear to be spreading in that district.

EVERY PRECAUTION BEING TAKEN. ASSURANCE BY' THE MINISTER. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] WELLINGTON, July 10. Iu the House to-day Mr Rhodes, replying to Mr Young, said every precaution was being taken to prevent the spread of the disease existing among the Natives of the Auckland province, and the Department was seeing to the isolation of those affected.

THE SYDNEY OUTBREAK. STRINGENT REGULATIONS, i (Received July 10, 9.30' p.m.) SYDNEY, July 10.. Two out of three suspected cases in country towns have proved not to be smallpox, and there is also some doubt regarding the Taree case. Daily a supply of 4000 tubes of lymph is coming from the Federal lymph, farm at Melbourne. The New South Wales Government

has decided to establish a State lymph farm near Sydney. Ten depots in the city and suburbs are vaccinating people gratis. Inter-State shipping traffic is muc-h reduced, the companies demanding the passengers shall produce certificates of successful vaccination. A popular vessel sailing to-morrow has booked 12 instead of 300 passengers. A deputation representing medicine, commerce, and shipping waited on Mr Holman urging the introduction of compulsory vaccination, though they admitted that the Government was doing everything possible as far as temporary measures are concerned. Mr Holman received the deputation’s representations favorably and expressed himself as entirely against panicky legislation, but after consultation with responsible officers, lie would announce the Government's intentions. • , Twenty fresh cases were reported between last night and to-night. xho total number in quarantine is now 180, whereof 65 are hospital patients, 85 convalescents,' and 34 “contacts. Over 40 convalescents and “contacts have been released. There were 12,663 vaccinations today in the metropolis, a record., School children in the infected area are to be vaccinated, and if the supply of lymph is maintained the vaccinations will he extended to other schools. , _ „ Dr Cumpston, Federal Director of Quarantine, says that although it has been found necessary to declare the infected portion of New Zealand a quarantine area, action has already been taken to provide for the thorough inspection of vessels from New Zealand.

VICTORIAN REGULATIONS. TRAIN PASSENGERS AND CERTIFICATES. (Received July 10, 9.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, July 10. Train passengers arriving at Albury from Sydney will be requested to pr iduoe vaccination certificates, and it they are unable to do so they will be refused admission to Victoria.