INCREASE OF GOITRE

Evening Star, Issue 21968, 2 March 1935, Page 14

INCREASE OF GOITRE

MEDICAL CONFERENCE CONCERNED PROVEN TREATMENT IGNORED BY PUBLIC 11 PARSIMONIOUS ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT " Perhaps the most important subject discussed at this week’s conference of the British Medical Association in Dunedin was that of goitre. The prevalence, aild indeed even the increased incidence of this disease, was the cause of considerable concern to the delegates. The general and practically unanimous opinion was that the measures that have been proved to combat the malady are generally neglected by the public, and that an intensive campaign is necessary to educate all sections of the community in their use. The investigations into the origin and cause of the complaint have in the past been ably prosecuted in the local Medical School, but the conference considers that progress has been much hampered by the parsimonious attitude of the Government in the matter of funds. It is of urgent importance to the community that steps be taken to continue the research into the control of goitre, and that'those who initiated this inquiry be given ample facilities to carry on this most important work for the welfare of the population of New Zealand, VALUE OF lODISED SALT. In the course of the deliberations on goitre the following resolutions were passed:— “ This conference has deliberated on the subject of goitre in New Zealand. It regrets to find that goitre continues to be widespread. It is convinced of the value of iodised salt in the prophylaxis of the disease, and regrets to find that the importations of iodised salt into the dominion are completely inadequate. The conference is of the opinion that all salt used for domestic purposes should be iodised, and should be known as standard salt. It would urge the Government bo take further steps to increase the use of iodised salt throughout the dominion.” “The conference desires to draw the attention of all divisions to the need for more public educational work as to the value of the use of iodised salt for all domestic purposes and of good products from the sea in the prevention of goitre.” MEDICAL RESEARCH. The following resolution dealing with medical research was also passed: “ This conference is convinced that more medical research work should be carried out in New Zealand. It would ask the Government to restore the grants for this purpose to the national Medical School, ■ which it considers should be regarded as the centre for medical research in this dominion. ’ GENERAL. Among the other subjects which were discussed during the conference were prostatic obstruction, recent work in the treatment of diabetes, modern infant feeding, apd X-ray diagnoses of the abdomen. The national health insurance scheme was also discussed,. the findings of the conference having been forwarded to the Hospital Boards Association of New Zealand for its conference at Napier early next week. ANNUAL MEETING. The conclusions arrived at during the conference were confirmed at the annual business meeting held this morninc' and office-bearers were appointed as^follow:—President-elect, Dr R. H. Hogg (Invercargill) : honorary general secretary, Dr G. E. v. Anson; editor of the ‘ Medical Journal,’ Dr S. D. Rhind ; executive- —Drs T. F. Corkbill * chairman), T. D. M. Stout, H. E. Gibbs, and R. Tracey-Inglis. The following were elected members of the council—Sir Lindo Ferguson, Sir David M'uavin, and Dr J. H. Hardie Neill.