PERSONAl preventatives
The acting district health officer of Wellington, Dr Makgill, took certain measures to reduce the spread of the influenza. One such measure was to close establishments selling alcohol so that men would not return home too drunk to take care of their wives and families. However, this action was met by a large protest by male workers and some male doctors. The doctors managed to convince Makgill that alcohol was able to be useful as a stimulant for influenza sufferers. In the end alcohol ended up being added to the list of substances used as personal preventatives. Other preventatives included camphor bags, quinine tablets, garlic and onions, kerosene sprinkled on sugar, the smoking of tobacco and the burning and breathing in of sulphur.