TUBERCULOSIS PLAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 121, 8 February 1918, Page 6

TUBERCULOSIS PLAGUE

CASES AMONG SOLDIERS PROVISION TO BE MADE The Minister of Public Health made a statement yesterday regarding tho steps that will have to be taken by his Department to deal with the large number of cases of tubercular disease which are found to occur among returned soldiors. "A report received from the Public Health Department," said Mr. Russcll, "shows that up till January 31 10,623 soldiors had returned to New Zealand. The number of phthisis cases among these men, including cases which had developed after the arrival of the men in New Zealand was 593, and of these 492 had developed the disease before return to this country) and others having contracted it flfter arrival. I regret to state that up till the date mentioned there have been 42 deaths from tubercular disease. At the present time there are under treatment 14S of these men. Talcing the most optimistic view, and making allowance for the large number of men who are receiving private treatment, it is evident that a considerable increase in the number of consumptive sanatoria will have to bo provided for our soldiers. Probably the saddest feature of the figures is that 20 per cent, nf the eases have developed sir.ee the return of the mpn to the Dominion. If the same relative proportion is maintained among the larger bodies of men vet to return to this country, it is evident that very large and farreaching arrangements will have to be made for the treatment of the men. "TJd till the present the experts of the Department have not been able to diagnose the causes which have led to the development of the disease, among the returned men. the nosition the Department of Public Health is inquirinff about suitable localities for the establishment of one or more sanatoria, and plans have alrfnrlv been nrennred for til* l erection of suitable bnild : ngs, nrovkling for a lane administrative block, along - with the necessarv shelters for the Accommodation of'the men. Eecentlv Mr. F. Clark, of Eskdale. near Napier, knulIv made an oifer ot a block of oO acres in his district for a site for a sanatorium. A report has been received with regard to this land, and the offer will have the very careful consideration of the. Government. Tt is possible that in addition to another North Island sanatorium, the Government, will have to consider the establishment of another in the South TslnnJ, as it is not desirable that laree bodies of men suffering from tuberculosis should he congregated in ono nlace. The matter will shortly come before Cabinet for decision, and so soon as the necessary sum of money is provided the work of establishing one or more sanatoria for the treatment of consumptive soldiers will bo at once undertaken. "Independent of soldier patients, the pressure upon the Government institutions for the treatment of civilian consumptives has been growing very rajv idly. The Cnshinero Hills sanatorium, near Christcliurch, is now_ crowd/d, and proposals are being considered for tho establishment of an entirely new institution on the Cashmers ffills, in which female patients will be located. It is not intended, however, that the Cashmere Hills sanatorium shall be converted into an institution for soldiers. That institution is under the North Canterbury Hospital Board. The Government institution which will bo established wil). be in an entirely different loealitj.