T.B. PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 55, 29 November 1923, Page 6

T.B. PROBLEM

MILK THE MAIN SOURCE OF INFECTION

DOCTORS URGE MORE RIGID INSPECTION

ACTION BY CANTERBURY BOARD

By Telegraph—Press Association

Christchurch, November 28

The tuberculosis problem was discussed bv the members of the Hospital Board to-dav. The Hospital Committee reported that the following recom mend'ations had been received front tlio Canterbury division of tho British Medical Association: —

“(1) That it be brought to the notice of hospital boards that the. Canterbury division of the British M’edical Association is of opinion that the time is ripe for the establishment of a suitable place for the accommodation of cases of bone and joint tuberculosis; (2) that the Canterbury division of the' British Medical Association expresses itself as concerned at the spread of tuberculosis and suggests to hospital board's that efforts should be directed towards eradication of the main source of infection. namely, infected milk; that efforts should be directed to the more rigid inspection of dairy herd's and the destruction of infected . beasts. also tliat the health authorities be asked to take more active steps than are being taken at present to segregate infected people, especially where children are being exposed to infection.” The committee stated that it considered that both clauses reouired consideration. especially clause 2. It appeared to he desirable that public interest should be aroused in this matter and that everv effort should be used to put pressure upon the Government to very strictly enforce the regulations governing the examination of dairy herds. Mr. H. Holland said, that in regard to bone and ioint tuberculosis the position was serious, th'e bulk of the cases being children. There were thirty cases in the hospital and thirty cases could easily be found outside the hospital. A Dunedin doctor was firmly of opinion that infected milk was the root cause of the trouble. Mr. W. E. Leadley moved as an anicndtaent that the first clause should be referred to the hospital committee to obtain evidence from medical men with regard to the necessity of such an institution and to report to thb next meeting of the board. The board, he said, was already doing a great deal to cope with T. 8.“ It could overdo it, and in overdoing it would not be actin->- in the best interests of the ratepavers. The T.B. institution in Canterbury attracted T.B. patients from other parts of New Zealand and from Home. 1 Tho board ought to consider whether it was wise to do more in that direction. . Mr. S. Andrew, in seconding the motion, said that Canterbury was getting an undesirable reputation in connection with the prevalence of T.B. This problem should be treated by the Government on national lines. Many North Island boards did very little. Mr. Leadlev’s amendment was carried. -ft ■>, 1 Discussing clause 2. Mr. Holland said that a’ conference should be held, especially in regard to infection by milk. Education would do a great deal to reduce the risk. He moved that representatives of the Dairv Farmers Association. Farmers’ Union, and Agricultural and Pastoral Association, be asked to attend a conference with the the Hospital Committee and leading doctors. This was agreed to and the clause, was adopted. , , • Dr. Blackmore wrote stating that m hi- opinion accommodation for dealing with bone and ioint tuberculosis should on no account be provided in connection with the children’s fresh air home. The institution shoo’d >.ot be in Christchurch bub it should be situated in a place where the air was cocl. dry. and bracing, with a maximum of sunlight and a minimum of wind and. say, 3000 feet above sea letel. It would require to be in touch with a general hospital. so that cases requiring operation could be trtmsferrcd' to it