CLINIC SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 59, 11 March 1938, Page 8

CLINIC SERVICES.

EXPEDITED BY 'PLANE. CARING FOR INDIANS. REGIXA, (Canada) . Health surveys of Indians, conducted hy the Indian Affairs branch of the Dominion Government, are being expedited by the aeroplane on reserves in isolated parts of the countrv.

A complete diagnostic outfit, including an X-ray and electrical generator to operate it, was recently flown by chartered 'plane from Prince Albert to Indian residential schools at Lac la Ronge and Beauval in Northern Saskatchewan, where tuberculosis clinics were conducted by Dr. A. B. Simes, senior Indian Affairs medical officer in Saskatchewan, and a clinical team of the Saskatchewan Antituberculosis League. While the aeroplane has been used in the past to carry medicine and supplies to remote districts, and to bring sick and injured Indians to hospitals, this was the finst time that the facilities of a modern clinic wer_- brought to the laJians by 'plane.

Progress in the eradication of diseases to wliich the Indiui.s ai.pear most susctntibie is making its greatest strides through the atten+wn given the children h: the s-hools. A large luuber of the residential schools have been surveyed and reeurveyed so that all pupils are ex'aimned, many of .hem by X-ray. Notwithstanding the difficulties which have to be contended wich, these surveys have proved of great advantage. The school principal and h« local medical adviser have had the benefit of the advice of a competent spr-e-iaiist. and the results h*»ve been decidedly gofid.