ONLY A PENNY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 108, 2 November 1929, Page 8

ONLY A PENNY

CHRISTMAS SEAL

TO STAMP OUT TUBER-

CULOSIS

In order to grapple satisfactorily with the -problem of tuberculosis, it is necessary for the State to begin with the child, who provides the primary occasion of infection, and the ideal opportunity of treatment.—Sir . George -Newman, Principal-Medical Officer, British Ministry, of Health. While tuberculosis remains ono. of the principal national scourges, it is important to recognise that it is steadily declinrng. The "fall in the mortality of tuberculosis (all forms) in New Zealand is set out clearly in the following ten-yearly figures:—Death rate from tuberculosis per .10,000 of mean population: 187S, 12.20: 1888, 10.69; 1898 10.44; 190S, 8.89; 1918, 7.54; 1925, 5.02. Past history of the decline of this disease, says Sir George Newman, is not only full of encouragement as regards its relative conquest, but also of instruction as to the factors which have played a chief part in its defeat. First among these is the increase in the powers of resistance. of the indi-' vidual by sound nutrition, the practice of hygiene, and the immunisation of the people. Social amelioration and cheap food have played an important part. Secondly, there has been an improved practice in prevention of the spread of infection from the diseased to the healthy, and by the control of tuberculous milk or meat. The third lino of defence is the care of the general health, including improved housing, less overcrowding, industrial welfare, the open-air life, and adequate infant and child welfare service. Fourthly, there is the education of the people in the practice of health and the formation of sound habits 'of hygiene. ' ! Lastly, there is the direct attack by particular methods on this particular disease, namely—(l) prompt and early notification; (2) domiciliary and dispensary treatment; . (3) the sanatorium; (4) the hospital;'(o) the village settlement; and (6) proper and effectual means of after-care. "CONTRACTED IN CHILDHOOD." In New Zealand, as we have already seen, the death rate from tuberculosis has fallen remarkably in the last forty years, until to-day the mortality from this disease ia lower probably than in any other part of the world. There is, however, a great deal of improvement to he effected, and the present is the time, when the disease is not so prevalent as formerly, that offers the best opportunity for grappling with it. Intensive measures can now betapplied with every chance of making a fuller material reduction in the incidence of the disease. Sir Robert Philip, w-ho is probably the most eminent authority to-day, and who has made the prevention and cure of tuberculosis his life work, points out that the infant is seldom born tuberculous, and that infection is for the most part contracted in childhood. Childhood is, then, the period to which cmr attention shouia be particularly directed and for this reason it is to be hoped the public will support the endeavour to raise funds by means of the Christmas Seal. The Christmas Seal is a combined postage and anti-tuberculosis stamp. The words "Help to Stamp out Tuberculosis" appear on the stamp as an indication of the purpose to which the proceeds will be applied. The Christmas Seal will be available for use in the course of a few weeks—in time for most Christmas correspondence.