PRAISE FOR TREATMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 264, 8 November 1939, Page 16

PRAISE FOR TREATMENT.

EX-PATIENT'S TESTIMONY. '•Private'' writes from the military camp, Xjraruawahia:—Your article on tlie influenza epidemic at Hopuhopti camp is based on statements made to you by a relative of one of the soldiers. These statements contain inaccuracies which show a lack of knowledge Ixith of the facts anil of human psychology. In the first place it should he made clear that tlie auxiliary hospital in the former post oflice marquees was established not liecanse tlx- Waikato Hospital was full hut to deal with mild cases which did not warrant evacuation to hospital. At no time have the Waikato Hospital authorities refused to accept more patients, or stated that their maximum capacity had been reached. Kaeh unit in camp has its own medical officer, who has at his disposal an "isolation tent" for the use of eases riot requiring admission to the camp hospital. An epidemic like this one naturally taxes such accommodation Ih-voikl any point that can reasonably Ik; foreseen. To cope with the situation patients were divided into three categories according to gravity. The Waikato Hospital received the more serious cases; the camp hospital lighter one. while (lie auxiliary marquees served for the very mildest cases. It might be supposed that the auxiliary received the overflow of the camp hospital. but this is not so. When this building was full a marquee was erected in the hospital grounds, in which the patients received exactly the same food and treatment as in the hospital itself.

The story of the man who waited from Monday till Thursday for a gargle might, at finst sight, move the casual reader to pity. But, surely, it reveals a most nnsoldierlv lack of persistence on the |>art of the patient.

Those who criticise the treatment that has been given to the men durin" this epidemic should bear in mind that the camp authorities have been dealing with an emergency. By anv standard the care of patients ui Hopuhopu must be considered good, hut in view of the exceptional circumstances the handling of the epidemic ha*- l>een nothing short of remarkable. I write from first-hand knowledge, having been a patient myself.