BUNDABERG TRAGEDY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 14 June 1928, Page 9

BUNDABERG TRAGEDY

DEATHS OF CHILDREN. THE COMMISSION’S REPORT. INVESTIGATIONS TO CONTINUE. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) Received 12.40 p.m. to-day. CANBERRA, June 14. The Royal Commission of inquiry blames the absence of antiseptics in the toxin anti-toxin for the deaths of twelve children at Buudaberg, Queensland, after they were inoculated by Doctor E. G. Thomson on January 27. The commission, whose report was tabled in the House, recommends that' biological products in which the growth of pethogeuie bacteria is possible, should not be issued in rubbercapped containers for repeated use, unless there is present a sufficient concentration of antiseptic to inhibit bacterial growth. The commission finds that the Serum used by Dr. Thomson was properly prepared and sterile, but contained no antiseptic and no warning label, which was an unsound procedure. Dr. Thomson used his fingers instead of sterile forceps in fixing- the needle to the nozzle of the syringe, thus giving an opportunity for contamination. A further possibility of contamination arose from exposure to the air. The -Minister of Health proposes to continue the investigation into the organisms which caused the deaths.