TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21974, 24 December 1936, Page 4

TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT

SURGICAL METHODS TO BE STUDIED HOSPITAL BOARD APPOINTS COMMITTEE The surgical treatment of certain phases of tuberculosis is to be investigated by a committee of surgeons appointed by the North Canterbury Hospital Board. At its meeting yesterday the board appointed a committee consisting of Dr. P. S. Foster, Dr. I. C. Macintyre, superintendent of the Cashv mere Sanatorium, Dr. L. A. Bennett, honorary surgeon to the sanatorium, and Dr. A. D. Nelson, medical superintendent to the Public Hospital, to make an investigation and submit a report. It was stated that considerable progress had been made in other countries in the use of surgical methods for treating the disease. The subject was introduced by Mr A. T. Smith, who moved that the Health Department be asked to make full enquiries, reports having indicated that much success had attended treatment by this means. He considered that a man should be sent from New Zealand to learn what was being done overseas. Dr. Foster seconded the motion, but he said he doubted whether the Health Department was the right quarter to which the board should go. He felt that much more exploration into surgical methods should be conducted at the sanatorium. Where the rest of the world had done much New Zealand had done nothing. As Mr Smith had suggested, medical officers should be sent abroad to learn what progress was being made. Sir Hugh Acland said there was no doubt the board should give consideration to the matter. He would remind the board that a year or two ago when a member of the honorary staff of the Public Hospital was appointed honorary surgeon at the sanatorium the medical superintendent and he had given attention to the subject of surgical treatment. It was in the minds of all the medical men of this community. He was doubtful whether the best way to get information was through the Health Department.. It would be better perhaps if the board obtained reports from its officers. Dr. Foster during his recent visit to America had been able to survey the position there and he should join the bmcers on a committee. Mr Smith agreed to Sir Hugh Acland's proposal as a substitute for his motion that the Health Department should be approached. He said that during his time on the board he had given his energies to the improvement of the Cashmere Sanatorium, and as he intended to resign at the end of this meeting he had brought this matter forward now, to ensure that a start would be made with investigations. The motion was amended according to Sir Hugh Acland's recommendation, and carried unanimously.