STREPTOCOCCAL THROATS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27633, 14 April 1955, Page 9

STREPTOCOCCAL THROATS

Sir,—While the Health Department is on the subject of the possibility of spreading disease germs from smokers’ mouths, would the department please issue a pamphlet advising us of the cause and cure of the streptococcal throats so very prevalent these days? One case in point! A certain sufferer from streptococcal throat has attended at least eight doctors in as many months, all without result. Surely there must be some cure! Why do we pay social security tax? —Yours, etc., WHY?

April 5, 1955. [The president of the Canterbury branch of the British Medical Association said that streptococcal throat was caused by the throat becoming infected by the streptococcus bacillus. The condition dually responded to treatment by the penicillin group of drugsy] f [Commenting on the same letter, the Medical Superintendent of the Christchurch Hospital (Dr. T. Morton) said: “Disease germs are no more likely to spread from smokers’ mouths than from those of non-smokers. Streptococcal sore throats, which are due to active infection by streptococcal germs, usually clear up in a few days, even if untreated; and it is doubtful whether they are more common that in the past, though urban and rural communities have always been liable to epidemics. No-one can attend eight doctors without result. We pay social security tax because we live in New Zealand.”]