Rheumatic Complaints Rig Cause Of Absenteeism

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28906, 28 May 1959, Page 21

Rheumatic Complaints Rig Cause Of Absenteeism

(New Zeatana Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May

Rheumatic complaints are a big cause of absenteeism among workers in New Zealand. The number of man hours lost is estimated as a substantial portion of the total loss due to all complaints, such as cough, colds, tonsilitis or heart diseases.

Research over the years has not shown what exactly causes the various types of rheumatism, said a Health Department spokesman in Wellington. Any research being carried out in New Zealand is concentrated mainly at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Rotorua with a minor amount at other centres. “Relatively little is spent on research and it should be carried out by all who can do so,’’ he said. “New Zealand has the facilities to conduct population surveys.' where it cannot undertake other morfe costly types of investigation.’’ Some interesting differences are expected to emerge from a survey carried out last, year of people living in Rotorua. The Health Department worked on this in conjunction with the social science department of Victoria University.

The survey was to ascertain differences through types of population among Maoris, Europeans whose forebears have been in New Zealand through several generations, and new settlers.

The survey figures are now being analysed.

A recent pilot survey of the East Coast area of the North Island held to ascertain incidence of gout among Maoris showed that it is at least eight times as common among Maori men, as among Europeans. “Another worrying problem is that of rheumatoid arthritis among children,” he said. “It is something not always diagnosed at an early enough stage. Acute rheumatism, sometimes known as rheumatic fever, is a further problem. In attacking children it frequently causes heart disease as a sequel. Of 100 children getting rheumatic fever, 75 will probably suffer heart disease as a result.”

The spokesman said early treatment and . management were vitally necessary if the child, after an attack of rheumatic fever, was not to become a cardiac cripple.