Epidemic numbers

The number of influenza patients in the Hospital yesterday was 165, as against 141 on Saturday. Fortythree of these were pneumonic, 20 being on the dangerously ill list. Three deaths occurred during the day. William Davidson (Merton), Alfred Nelson (High street, Musselburgh), and a woman whose name we were unable to obtain.

Though the number of patients is steadily mounting up, Dr Bowie consider that they are now getting the situation in hand, and states that people should not be unduly alarmed.

The medical opinion is that while the position is serious enough to demand close attention, there is no cause for actual alarm. The medical authorities are preparing immediately to make use of the Knox Sunday School hall for the reception of patients.

At the Hospital, Dr Bowie is still acting as superintendent, Dr Falconer not having sufficiently recovered to resume duty. The Public Health Department was notified on Saturday that there were 25 additional cases of pneumonic influenza. Of these, five were in the Otago Hospital district, 10 in the Waitaki Hospital district, and 10 in the Southland Hospital district. It follows that these 25 cases are all severe ones. With regards to the restrictions placed upon buildings in which amusements are held, it may become necessary to extend the period for which they have been closed. That period is seven days, but there is every probability that these

places will have to remain unopened for a longer period than that.