The Otautau Standard. AND WALLACE COUNTY CHRONICLE TuESday, October 17th, 1905. PUBLIC HEALTH,

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 25, 17 October 1905, Page 2

The Otautau Standard. AND WALLACE COUNTY CHRONICLE TuESday, October 17th, 1905. PUBLIC HEALTH,

In no department of its administration can more credit be claimed by the colony than m the forward position it has taken m reference to public health. Surely no more necessary business can present itself to a country than to see to the health^ of its inhabitants, and to take the Steps that will ensure them securing and retaining rooust and vigorous health, <and>> that will, also take and active steps to* prevent the spread of disease, and further, that adopts such remedial measures and affords such relief as to help back to ffeMtf&S^ We are proud to- to a colony whose -Government rhaff recognised its high office m this respeot; and vSrhpse position is referred to aftrhiration byy the administrators of older countries. In the Public Health Statement submitted to Parliament by the Minister of Publio Health last month, there is a vast amount of information, collected from a great many sources, of the various troubles with which people are afflicted, and also of the measures that are being taken for their . relief. In the great crusade •against consumption m which the ablest intellect of the* medical faculty are all over the world at present being engaged, New Zealand^ is not lagging behind; and with the . exceptional advantages possessed by the colony m climatic and natural curative properties, much can and is being accomplished. The following is ah extract from the Minister's address to the Governor m presenting thejstatement: "JThe crusade against consumption is still being waged with earnestness, and good results have been obtained. The public generally are^ beginning to realise not only the infectious nature of .the disease, but are- becoming alive to its curability not less than the possibility of completely stamping it out by means of proper precautionary measures. Much remains to be done, but I feel assured New Zealand has no cause to feel ashamed of her work m this most laudable direction. That the forward position f w,e have taken up on health matters hajs.not, .escaped the eyes of. our heighbpuris is evinced by the following extract from a recent report by v! an AtigliraUa^' tf expert :*— "We thus find in ' Australia; a process of administrative development m which South Australia stands at the bottom and New Z aland at the top. Such being the cisc, it .appears to be the obvious du-.y of this State to profit by experience, and aim* at the higher plane of New Zealand legislation. If that aim be : too higli" m our present stage of development,, let ns at least try to improve our position." Notwithstanding the many advantages we live under, and the excellence of our climate, it is, says Dr. Mason, " disquieting to learn that 55% of the total deaths from consumption of the lungs occurred among New! Zealand born people. Annexes to hospitals for the special treatment of patients suffering from this fell disease have been established at New Plymouth, Nelson and Wellington, and there is a movement on foot m invercargill to follow suit. Speaking at the opening of the New Plymouth annexe for consumptives, the Minister s iid : •* To take a hand m > the great war that was being waged against consumption was a privilege indeed, but to have been the first to adopt the suggestion that each district should look after its own sick, and grant to the sufferer — poor m purse as well as m health — an opportunity of trying what was now reoogised as the best treatment of the fell disease, ; was surely something to be prOud of, In. these flays of incessant demand on 'the central exchequer, it was indeed a pleasure to find a community -taking the m helping itself. The example' set* m New" Ply-' mouth has Ibsen Mlbwed^-nr other places— notably "Nelson and Wellington. Apart from the blessings- which* come from self -fleirial, charity blessed him who gave not-less -than him who received. The fact that the annexe has risen"; fey rfeasori of the' popple's gqodness*t)f heart, created a local patriotism and interest m it which was sometimes lacking towards an institution wholly supported by the State." The good work begun m- the"colony is not likely to be allowed to go back, and opens up a new vi'sfca of hope to many sufferers.