TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27408, 22 July 1954, Page 13

TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL

DEFINITE ADVANCES SEEN i COMMENT BY DR. W. G. RICH . To the question whether tubercu.l ft is really being brought under ft Brel, 1 le answer is definitely ‘yes,’,” ’ Dr. W. Gordon Rich in a report behalf of the executive committee $e South Island Tuberculosis As*hon. The report will be preted at the association’s ninth sal meeting on August 3. ia the last ew years, the discovery | antibiotics has revolutionised the I ftaent of tuberculosis,” Dr. Rich “For a while it appeared that ■e drugs would be sufficient on their but it was later found that the ®cle bacilli developed a resistance It was then found more [Jhve to use them in various com£hons and also to retain some of 'earlier established forms of treatsuch as collapse therapy, addition, the advent of these “biotics has made it possible for cases to undergo operative prowhich, in past years, would impossible,” says Dr. Rich. Jjhereas a few years ago little sur- * of the lungs was embarked upon, 'modern surgeon, specially trained 1 ®is particular branch, regards chest as a routine procedure. In selected cases of tuberculosis, Wins can hold out great hope for * Pauent’s ultimate recovery and I that at the Cashmere SanaE— 1 quite a number of cases have on recently with good! ‘‘Jthout Ile recent advances in jstnesia and highly skilled anaesthese operations would again ■ Dr. Rich says. “To it may be said that here * s seen at its best - T he surgeon, anaesthetist, physiogPJst and trained nursing staff all together for the ultimate benefit patient. with these advances in intent the earlier diagnosis of cases has occurred through routine ®ass X-ray examination has furri the outlook, for the ±r; the case is diagnosed, and the treatment is begun, the sooner will be out of the sana- < .^k°’ J gh the antibiotics may not’ be answer in the treatment •- they have very materik anced the outlook for the who can say that this year. ' gj ear ’ or in 10 years’ time, better i fdkST 6 effec tive antibiotics may not ri But. in the meantime, .; y stul a great deal of work for associations. combinations of cir!^r> es occurring daily, causto be in dire need > Dr. Rich says. “More attenshould be' devoted to pre- ► fol an o it is up to everyone to Bju as fit as possible for the iSm ar, d see k early medical . e general practitioner at the health, for it is at at medical treatment, comsound advice and perhaps * T ay av crt a more serious developing.” —An inquest yestern into the death of WilBtlryS? 7 .Workman, aged 81, was SUle a^er evidence of ° n been given and a examination had been to x, Mr Workman died while to hospital on Tuesday.