THE SICK AT TRENTHAM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2526, 29 July 1915, Page 9

THE SICK AT TRENTHAM

PROVISIONS FOR THEIR DARK,

Tho Minister of Public Health (tho Hon. R, H. Rhodes) replied at length, yesterday to tho series of questions put by Dr. Thacker regarding the care of, tho patients at Trentham suffering from cerebro-spinul meningitis. The Minister's reply was set out as under:— "(1) '1 he men suffering from cerebrospinal meningitis are in the best sanitary conditions obtainable. (2) Tho men are not in a ward under the grandstand, but are accommodated in ' tho kiosk, which is admirably adapted for the purpose, it being recognised that patients ■Suffering this disease do best un. dei' open-air conditions. (3.) There is not a sufficiency of •Flexner's serum for future requirements nor can any be obtained from Australia. A cablegram was sent a week ago to the High Commissioner to procure some. Nevertheless, the lack of this serum is not of great consequence, as according to reports just received from a medical officer in charge of a camp at Colchester,' where _ there were twenty cass of cerel bro-spinal meningitis, tho serum was most disappointing,, in its results. It takes months to prepare this serum, so wo_ are relying on the Home supply which should arrive in. five weeks. According to the medical officer just referred to, the best results are being obtained from vaccine treatment. Vaccines for' such treatment have been made by Mr. Hurley, Government Bacteriologist, and are being used at Trentham with marked success. (4) Gargling and nazal irrigation witlr suitable disinfectants are also being daily carried out on every man in_the force as prophylactio measure. (5) TJrotropine and other drugs are being used, as considered advisable by tlie medical officers. (6) None of the men are sufficiently convalescent for baths.,though naturally they are washed every day by the nurse in charge. Medical baths have been given some patients. (7) They are liavine; the very best foods,obtainable. (8) The patients aro in the open air and are getting all tho sunlight that is_ available. (9) The men are not sufficiently recovered to take slight exercise. (10) Consultations with private doctors have been allowed from tho first. In the opinion of the medioal officers it is not advisable to remove the patients to a private hospital as they do not stand removal well."

Dr. Thacker expressed appreciation at the reply given by the Minister. There were one or two. things that needed attention, he said. When the men who Lad been sick went back to the camp they were put on light work. Ho held t'iiat it would be better to keep tliem apart from the sick men altogether. Better telephonic communication should be provided at the hospital, and an adequate supply of hot water Should be available. Dr. Thacker said that be had risen to vindicate the complaint that he liad made that the men had septic throats. The facts went to show that the meii bad had septic throats as far back as October, and swabs for thoir throats should have been provided. •