SICKNESS AT CAMP

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2501, 30 June 1915, Page 9

SICKNESS AT CAMP

IS THE SITE SUITABLE? CARE OF THE PATIENTS ■ t MINISTER'S STATEMENT piere has been much comment in the tity of late regarding the amount of BioKnesa at Trentham Military Camp, and tho question of what provision is made for the care of the men has been treoly discussed, also whothor or not all possible is being douo for tho soldiers. Iu the course of an interview yesterday the Hon. J. Allen replied to criticisms made upon the location of the camp, and the organisation for the treatment of sick and wounded. "I myself believe the camp is upon a suitable site," said Mr. Allen. "H has a gravel soil, and the wator gets~away quickly, and the place dries up quickly. The camp is seen at its wettest in wintor; and you cannot avoid a certain amount of mud under the most favourable circumstances in. winter where' tiiers ar© 7000 oieii in camp. "No restriction has been placed upon the .Defence authorities as regards money or ajiything else concerning the health of the men, or the 1 efficiency of the camp. They have beeu given everything, so far aB 1 know, to make the caniD suitable. The matter of drainage and the building of tho huts, and the sanitation, anu everything connected with the camp, was submitted by me to Dr. Freugley, Deputy Chief Health Officer, Mr. Morton, Wellington City Engineer, and the Government Architect, Mr. Campbell, and they wore specially instructed to see to the drainage andsanitation of the huts; and they took groat pains with their work. 1 have no reason to think that either the huts or the drainage are unsatisfactory. It is true that with the advent of winter there has been some mud in the streets, but that is being gradually overcome, and that trouble would.have arisen any. way. As to the genesiß of the present sickness amongst the men. that you must get from the medical officer. I cannot express any opinion about it." Mr. Alien added also that as soon as a demand was made for nurses to care for the men. the nurses were supplied, and he believed sis nurses wero already on duty at the camp. - These nurses were in addition to the hospital orderlies, who did a great deal of work for the sick men. DR. VALINTINE'S OPINIONS. IMPROVEMENTS BEING MADE. Dr. Valintine, who has been given control .of all military hospitals and the care of sick soldiers generally, also made statement on the subject yesterday. Following are some of his opinions:— A. suitable portion of the racecourse buildings has been offered for the drying of soldiers' clothing, and the necessary plant is being installed. The supply of sheets is ample. About 200 sheets, also pillowslips and hotwater bottles, were sent out on Monday. The' Citizens' Hospital Guild, of which the Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke) is president, is supplying all necessaries for the care and comfort of the sick. In addition to the six nurses at Trentham, four or five probationers are already available. The services of a medical man, with military experience, have been obtained as Permanent Medical Officer, and he will have an adequate : staff of doctors. An observation ward is already in use. Dr. Finch (District Health Officer and Sanitary Officer at the Camp) has reported that the general sanitation, drainage, water supply, cooking arrangements, and storage of food are satisfactory. Suggestions for "small improvements" mentioned-by Dr. Finch have been carried out. The site of the camp is not more "septic" than one would expect for the number of men and horses at Trentham. "I am quite confident," concluded Dr. Valintine, "that we are getting things in order, and they will be very different by the end of this week. The doctors and nurses are working loyally, and I »m getting every assistance from them."