MEANS TO CHECK TUBERCULOSIS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26713, 23 April 1952, Page 8

MEANS TO CHECK TUBERCULOSIS

N.Z. Said To Need More Specialists DOCTOR RETURNS FROM STUDY OVERSEAS (Ncu> Zealand Press Association) WANGANUI, April 22. In the war against tuberculosis. New Zealand’s great need is more qualified chest specialists, according to Dr. W. A. Priest, tuberculosis officer to the Wanganui, South Taranaki, and Palea Hospital Boards, who has returned after 14 months’ study of chest diseases in Britain and Scandinavia under a Wunderley Scholarship. Dr. Priest said to-day that more New Zealanders were now training overseas. They should have every encouragement to return to the Dominion and practise there. Dr. Priest said that in Britain he found great enthusiasm for chest work, and interesting variations in the main spheres of treatment. “The increase in chest surgery in Britain is teaching pathologists, radiologists, physicians and surgeons more and more about how tuberculosis develops.” he continued.

In Scandinavia, B.C.G. vaccination was only one of the methods used to control tuberculosis. “Scandinavians generally are very much aware of the part they are expected to play in reducing the disease.” Dr. Priest said. “They aim at the raising of the general standards of living and housing, the detection of early cases, education of the medical profession and the public, increased after-care, more economic security while persons are undergoing treatment, and ultimate rehabilitation. “In New Zealand we have done well, but we could do a great deal more in keeping abreast with modern methods of treatment. We require well trained men who have the freedom to interchange ideas and methods." Dr. Priest added.