INCIDENCE OF T.B.

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 10

INCIDENCE OF T.B.

Lowest Where Standards Of Living Are ,High

SPECIALIST’S OPINIONS

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, July 8.

Tuberculosis claims fewer victims among the English-speaking peoples or the world than among other races, according to Dr. D. O. N. Lindberg, ot Illinois, who was a through passenger by the Monterey from San Francisco to-day. He attributed the fact that New Zealand's death rate from tuberculosis was the lowest in the world, with Australia and America next, to high standards of living and the absence ot many populous centres. Dr. Lindberg is medical director and superintendent of the Macon County Tuberculosis Sanatariuin, Decatur, Illinois. He is going to Sydney at. the invitation of the New South M ales tuberculosis authorities to conduct tests for the disease through a new method in which lie specialises. Ln route he left materials and data with the health authorities at Bago Bago for tests to be made on the natives in time for his return there by ship. The tests will 'be applied 72 hours before the ship’s arrival. “No community is progressive where tuberculosis is rife,” said Dr. Lindberg. "Included in our programme to eradicate disease are regular X-ray surveys on groups of healthy people, such as the pupils in high schools and colleges. Seven such contacts are made annually, and I am happy to say our teachers are being passed free of trouble. It has been found that economic standards have much to do with the development of the disease and that there is something in the progress of civilisation that retards it.” Dr. Lindberg said he examined the natives of Pago Pago by other methods 13 years ago. In addition to indicating the incidence of tuberculosis among the natives the present teste would also determine the feasibility of the contact test in tropical conditions. He hoped to have 1000 teste to interpret when he returned to Pago Pago. He also intended to do some work along these lines in Sydney, although _ his time would be limited, and he said he regretted that the time factor completely prevented his making any kind of study in New Zealand at present.