A VILE DISEASE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14900, 13 February 1914, Page 9

A VILE DISEASE.

PREVALENT IX NEW ZEALAND

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ITS TREATMENT. (SrECIAI, TO "THE TRESS.") AUCKLAND. February 12. Probably the most important report to come before tho Medical Congress, j now sitting in Auckland, was that presented to a full meeting of delegates this afternoon. The report dealt with syphilis, one of the vilest contagious diseases known to medical scionce. At the last Congress a committee wa.s t,et up to investigate, tabulate, and report tho facts in regard to this disease. The committee appointed to carry out tho investigations includes some of tho best kno\v;i medical men in Australasia. In making its investigations, the committee received information from 301 medical practitioners in the Dominion, and from such institutions as mental hospitals, gaols, geuoral hospitals, old men's homes, and Salvation Army homes. SUMMARY OF THE CASES. It is pointed out that of the cases reported v more than half como from Auckland and Wellington, which cities have the most frequent Communications from outside countries. The returns report 1941 primary and becondary cases that were seen by private prac- ; titioners during the Last two years, and to these must be added eases met with in institutions. Tho total cases reported are as follow :— City. Country. Auckland ... 6ir> 138 Wellington ... 41 L> 123 Christchurch ... i'o , .' -4 Dunedin ... -14 14 Therefore the cities 1323 cases, and the country 265. Wellington and Auckland cities between them contributed 1196 cases, and to these must bo .added the hospital returns. General hospitals reported 19- cases, ard mental hospitals 18. The total fresh infections during tho last two vcars in New Zealand therefore amount to 1941. HOSPITAL TREATMENT. Of the various institutions which have sent in returns, thirteen general hospitals report 192 ca-ses. "Here it is to be noted," continues the report, "that most of them, by their regulations, refuse admission and treatment to primary venereal cases. One must remark on the extraordinary lack of foresight in -this regulation. This certainly is a most unfortunate position, and the committee consider that hospitals ought to tako in and treat any person suffering from this disease who is a danger to the community." INFECTION AND SEVERITY. Tho report goes on to 6ay that if all the medical men in tho Dominion had replied to the circular sent out, the amount of the disease reported would probably have been at least double. The replies as to the frequency of infection as compared with former cases is indefinite, but, if anything, tho evidence points to it being less frequent. The same applies to the enquiry as to severity, tho evidence again being in favour of its being milder, though the majority report that they can see no change.

SOURCES OF INFECTION. In regard to enquiries as to sources of infection, the committee points out tiiat the replies aro practically unanimous that the infection is sea-borne. Sydney is specially mentioned,, then the South" Sea Islands, with a proportion of cases from other oversea routes. The report then proceeds to deal at length -with the South Sea Islands, and more particularly with , thoso islands with which Now Zealand is in direct communication. The Hon. Dr. Lynch, of the Medical Department, Suva, in a special report to tho Congress, says that consideration of the subject in Fiji divides itself into cases that occur in tho various races inhabiting the colony. There they have Fijians, Indians. Polynesians, miscellaneous half-castes, Chinese, and others, and Europeans. Dealing with the peoplo in order, it might be said that the disease did not occur amongst Fijians at all; he personally had never seen a case in twenty-three years. It was, however, considered that 99 per cent, of Fijians had suffered from framboesia or yaws in childhood, and this had conferred immunity from tho disease itsolf. Amongst tho Indians, howover, tho disease was present in all its forms, sometimes Cyery gravely. Tho other coloured races suffer to some extent, and Europeans also, but generally the infection is thought to be from Indians. In the Cook Islands the question is a difficult one. Infant mortality is very heavy, and it is suggested that medical administration, after the manner of thnt instituted in tho Panama Canal zone, will he necessary if the aboriginal population is to be preserved. TRE COMMITTEE'S FINDINGS.

Dealing until the question of "prevention, tho committee suggests tuat it is onnnentiy dcsiraolo time a Koyai Commission snould bo sot up in iNew &ea-! land and Australia, and to act, if possible, in unison with tho lioyul Uomuuipion at present sitting in Jingiaud. In dealing iurther with tno question ol prevention, tno report cays: '"iieierence may be niado in passing to tho prevailing impression that as this is a loathsomo disease it is found only amongst abandoned persons as of old. However, the medical profession knows that immoralitj, clothed with a semblance of respectability, is the greater source." The committee, after dealing at iength with tho possible remedies, summarises its recommendations as iol--1 QYf • i in— I.' That it be declared a notifiable disease; that notification be encouraged, and discretionary, but not compulsory, and that, the chief medical officer of health be tho only person to whom tho notification is made - 2. That provision bo mado through the Hospital Boards to establish laboratories in tho four centres, where not already existent, for tho diagnosis of tho diseases. . 3.' That free treatment in the public hospitals and dispensaries bo provided. A. That steps be taken to educate the mercantile marino as to tho dangers of the disease, and that provision be made for preventive treatment on the intercolonial service.

5. That legislation be enacted against tno treatment of the disease by unqualified persons.

(press association* telegram.)

AUCKLAND, February 12,

When the New Zealand committee , b report had been adopted, a memorandum was brought forward and discussed at length, after which it was decided to address tho following statement and recommendations to the various Governments of Australasia:— Venereal diseases are proved to be responsible for a vast amount of damage to mankind. The damage is expressed by loss of life (frequently at its prime), insanity, sterilityj destruction of family life, and inefficiency. The economic waste to the nation is mons. The exact distribution of these diseases is unknown, but the momentary loes, estimated by an excellent authority, ie that one twenty-fifth of the population of Berlin, Paris, and Xew York are annually infected. It is fairly" certain that 12 to 15 per cent, of the population of London, Paris, and Berlin are syphilitic, and in addition a much larger number are jCjonorrboeie. Thero is good reason for thinking that Australasian cities are affected to nuieh tho same extent. There are no other diseases, which cause stt mach^jggft.,^

suitable measures, those diseases can bo gt'uaiiy rtaucwi m irequtmcy, ami luay do wuouy suppressed. 'I'no steps wnieli stioutu t>o i*Ken are: —

{I) Ino provision oi euueation (after consultation witn educational experts.) as to tne lines to be lolioweU by uuuits aud adolescents until Aaturo causes cousequoncivs «nd a metlioU ot prevention ox venereal diseases.

(Z) Provision oi tree .scientific facilities for eHectuig vuo early and accurate diagnosis oi venereal uiseates, and tor tescuig tno results or treatment.

(3) The provision of Irco treatment, both in and outdoor, at times convenient to tho patients for all tho.se who are unable to make their own arrangements. (4,i I'ne pussaj;o of legislation providing for (a) the uetention of any person sintering from venereal disease until by treatment ho or she is rendered innocuous—the Prisoners' Detention Act of New South Wales already makes such provision ; (b) the oevero punish*ment of anyone, who wilJully or negligently communicates venereal diseases to other people; (c) the severe punishment of anyone, not being a qualified medical practitioner, who undertakes to treat sufferers irom venereal diseases. This provision is very necessary, because of the danger to innocent persons consequent on tho unsuitable treatment of the infected.

The monetary cost of effecting tho eradication of Venereal diseases would not bo very f^reat; in fact, the expenditure would be very small by comparison with the expenditure resulting from tho present wholesale infection of tho populace. There is no form of public expenditure which might so truly be described as national and reproductive. If the steps indicated are taken, with wisdom, tho results will be a diminution of mortality, insanity, and the expenditure in hospitals and asylums, ami increased human efficiency and better and healthier enioyment of life.

The recominondatione quoted omhqdy principles; their mode of application would pronorlv be a subject of discussion between tho rewnectivo Gr>vprnments and the branches of tho British Medical Association.