Influenza cases increase

DR Faris (District Health Officer), who was able to resume duty yesterday, informed us that the number of notifications of pneumonic cases yesterday morning was 32 — 18 in the Otago Southland District and 14 in the Southland Hospital District. No notifications were received from the Waitaki district. This shows a decrease of three as compared with Tuesday’s notifications. The number of cases admitted to the hospital yesterday showed a considerable increase, but Dr Bowie (actingsuperintendent) is confident that the

turning point will be reached in a few days. A gratifying feature is that the average number of deaths is decreasing, and a large number of severe cases of pneumonia have already either recovered or are well on the way to recovery. Dr Bowie informs us that bacteriological investigations of the disease disclosed some time ago that the same organism was present as was found in cases of the disease in Great Britain, Europe, and Australia. From information gained from local medical men it is quite evident that though the epidemic is undoubtedly severe, a great many people have become unnecessarily frightened. It should be borne in mind that in the preservation of health the psychological factor — the influence of mind over body — is perhaps the most important. It is an established fact that a person’s mind forces can retard or assist infection, illness, or even death. Anyone with normal physical resisting power to bacteriological attack has his armour

more easily pierced when his mental resistance is weakened, but on the other hand if a person is possessed of both resistances and also follows the simple and hygienic recommendations of the authorities he is trebly reinforced.