DIPHTHERIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 June 1921, Page 2

DIPHTHERIA

CANTERBURY EPIDEMIC. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 25. Yesterday a conference here decided to urge Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Public Health, to set up a special commission - to- deal with the ;diphtheria epidemic. Medical men said that they were agreed as to the necessity for research work into the causation of the disease and the reasons for its unduly heavy incidence here, as elsewhere, at present. The conference decided to urge the Minister of Health to set up immediately a small commission of experts in research, who would co-operate in their investigation of the whole matter, with similar experts in Australia, where there is now a great deal of diphtheria. Dr. Fox (medical superintendent of the Christchurch Hospital), speaking of the growth of diphtheria, said that in 1918 there had been between 500 and 600 cases in the hospital alone. The minimum cost for a cure was 8100 so that between £5OOO and £6OOO had been spent on the hospital cases alone. In that year there had been about 56 deaths and putting a value of £3OO on a human life, something like £15,900 had been lost in lives on which, of course, no 'actual monetary value could be placed. Among the “carriers” of the disease was the fowl which was quite a known cause. Drain, age and domestic animals were possible factors in spreading diphtheria. The community would not get much further ahead in dealing with the disease until it was recognised that competent trained men must be put on to the work. This was sufficient warrant for the conference’s decision especially as it was supported by the other medical men present. The Government would not have to go beyond New Zealand for at least two members of the commission, if the duties performed at present by Dr. Pearson, of Christchurch, and Dr Champtaloup of Dunedin, could be taken over by relieving medicos. . , Dr. Telford (Health Officer) said that to his mind there was a cidenco in Christchurch than there should be, and the mortality was greater than it should be. He thought that medical men should be provided with free antitoxin so that its use would not be curtailed. Ho considered that the carrier was the big factor in propagating the disease. I’or diagnostic purposes, all sore throats ought to be swabbed. A person who had had diphtheria, and who had any obstructive breathing, was almost certain to became a carrier of diphteritic organisms. He agreed with Dr. Pearson that carriers remained carriers for a considerable period. As long as a person was carrying the organisms, some time or other, the organisms would become virulent. The diphtheria just now was not due to milk, but the carrier as a contaminator of food was a very big factor in propagating the disease. Dr. Telford added that he had written to the Director-General of Health; asking for facilities to give the American “Schick test” a good trial.. The test gave good evidence of those who were susceptible to the disease, and they could then be treated and made immune. Two-thirds of a population were generally immune from diphtheria and the other third was susceptible. Ho considered that the test could "be given a trial in the schools, and power to do so would have to be secured. Also, there should by a systematic examination of rats taken from Christchurch ami Lyttelton for the purpose of plague investigations. For such purposes it would be necessary for Dr. Pearson to have extra assistance at the hospital. ?n conclusion, Dr. Telford thoroughly agreed that a commission should be set up, and he thought it necessary that a botanist should be attached to it. i Nurse Maude said that she was sure lack of attention to bedding in private houses was a cause of infection as were also crowded sleeping conditions. Mr. Parr, in reply, said that all over the world in recent years there had been a marked increase in diphtheria. Ho claimed that in 1918 in the Dominion the condition of things was worse than it is to-dily. Since then there had been a decrease, but in Christchurch that had not been tho case. What was wanted was information about the disease. So far as his department was concerned, it was out to help them all it could. Ho had given instructions that an expert bacteriologist should come from Dunedin to assist Dr. Pearson. Two extra inspectors of health would be put. on in Christchurch. The deputation’s idea of a commission on the matter would have to bo brought before the Cabinet. He was satisfied that the state of tho schools was not tfie main factor. The overcrowding in Christchurch was not as bad as in Wellington.