THE TREATMENT OF CONSUMPTION.

Evening Star, Issue 11677, 8 February 1902, Page 1

THE TREATMENT OF CONSUMPTION.

Dr Ogston’s paper on ‘ Sanatoria for Consumptives,’ followed as it was by an interesting discussion, should have the effect of strengthening the hands of the medical faculty in their demand for prompt action on the part of the Government as well as the hospital authorities. We need say nothing as to the desirability of establishing sanatoria: pace Dr Stenhouse, the new theories and practices for the prevention and cure of tuberculosis have got beyond the argumentative stage. We are aware that the Public Health Department already has the matter in hand, and Dr Mason states that it is the intention of the Government “to have one sanatorium in each “ island for all classes of consumptives, and “ not only for those who are incurable " 1 In this connection it may be observe!! that Dr Ogston dwelt upon the advisability of separating the curable and incurable cases. It is right, no doubt, that progress should be made by experimental degrees, but it is unquestionable that more than two sanatoria for the Colony will eventually be required. At least four institutions will be necessary, and it will also be desirable to provide special hospital accommodation. We do not propose to deal with the matter ot localities, which may be left for the decision of experts; but we desire to say a word regarding the obligation of the hospital authorities in regard to the treatment of consumption. Dr Mason said on Wednesday: " What he thought was ‘* wanted in regard to consumption was that “ the hospital authorities should be forced to take in and treat all persons who were “ sick, consumptives as well as others. It “ seemed to him that the treatment of con- “ sumptives could easily be carried out In “ country districts an annexe could be “ attached to hospitals, where this class of “ patients could be treated. . . . Hos- “ pital authorities seemed to think they “ had to keep out one class of patients and “admit another, whereas their duty was to “provide for all.” Dr Hendry, of Invercargill. urged that “the hospital authorities “in each district should be assisted by “Government to do something for incurable “ consumptives. These patients required “ special provision for their housing, as they “ were most undesirable patients for a “general hospital. Hospital authorities, in “ refusing to take in consumptives, were “ only carrying out the law.” Now, it might be gathered from these remarks that consumptive patients are never admitted into the general hospitals. As a matter of fact, consumptives are often admitted into the Dunedin Hospital, at all events; and our complaint against the hospital authorities is this: that they admit such patients without making proper provision for them. Dr Hendry is undoubtedly right in saying that “consumptives are most undesirable patients for a general hospital,” when, as in the local institution, they are allowed to mingle freely with the other patients, while very inadequate precautions are taken even with regard to the disposal of their sputum. If the hospital authorities cannot make special provision for these patients, they should refuse to admit them at all; but the special provision ought to be made, and the Hospital Trustees might be expected to display more energy and interest in seeking help from the Government. The local Trustees are a strangely immobile body. We have defended them more than once against what seemed to be unjust attacks, but we give them fair warning that sooner or later they will be called upon to face much more serious criticism, with public opinion at its back, if they persist in presenting at attitude of “ non possumus ” towards all practical recommendations and demands. As regards the special question of hospital provision for consumptives (which can never be entirely superseded by sanatorium treatment), Dr Colquhoun spoke very strongly on Wednesdaj •. “Consump- “ lives were not bring treated any ditfer- “ ently now from what they were five years “ ago in Dunedin. The local hospital “ authorities refused to give thenj one or “ two special wards for treatment of these “ cases. He considered it was a scandal “and a shame that twenty-four hours should “bo allowed to elapse before the authori- “ ties did something to improve matters.” Dr Cnlquhoun is the senior physician in attendance at the Dunedin Hospital. Yet it is not very long since the chairman of Trustees declared that the demands of the medical staff were always granted !