NOTES ON REPORT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 27 September 1918, Page 5

NOTES ON REPORT.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 26. . _ The Director-General of Medical Services in New Zealand (General Henderson) makes the following notes on the report: o f "ru^nt bronchitis during 1915" and 1916.—The opinion amongst medical officers in camps and the sanitary officers was that this type of bronchitis and pneumonia was due to menmgoooceal (cerebro-spinal meningitis) infection, ir'athologists-in Britain do not yet admit the part played by meningoeoccus in these outbreaks. Lieutenant-Colonel Mall informs me, it ■is recognised in America. . •

The Use of Inhalation Chamber.—lt wa« probably too late to stot» the epidemic by this means when it" had once taken hold. A recommendation that the inhalation chamber should be used as a prophylactic after leaving every port has already been made in consequence of the epidemic in the 31st Reinforcements, but instructions were not issued until after the ship carrying the 40th Reinforcements had left New Zealand. . f . Hammocks.:—A distance of eighteen inches between hooks carrying hammocks was provided in the ship but owing, to the irregularities in the holds the distance actually. obtained was somewhat irregular. It is a, matter which must be taken up with the Naval iransport Officer, and I have instructed the # Director of Movements and Quartering accordingly - = Ventilation.—Probably the best arrangement would be that an extraction sfcatt, m whichelectric fans worfe should .fre placed at yarioue points in the holds fitted up for habitation, -F^chi with blowers, would tend to create a draught.; Every transport" would have to be cpneidered separately, and tans arranged in, accordance, with circumstances. It is a matter which will be taken up ,with the naval transport who, as representing the Admiralty' control these matters. [Sir James Allen interposed here that he had discussed the matter of mechanical ventilation on previous occasions, but the Government had the greatest- difficulty in procuring these fans. A few of them had been obtained.]

Vaccination.—l should like to consider the evidence whereby the aftereffects of vaccination were supposed to have affected the resistance of the men. Personally, I am sceptical on the-point* owing to the length of time between vaccination, which occurs early on the voyage, and the date of the outbreak. Mixed Catarrhal Vaccine.—We do not know on what grounds the suggestion to use vaccine is based. Catarrhal infections are not protective, but rather decrease the resisting power to subsequent infections. I consider no action should be taken until full evidence is before us.

Anti-strepto Coecal Infection.—This is recommended obviously in the belief that bronchitis, infection is of strepto coceal origin. I think it was tried without success in the camps in 1916, but I am asking P.M.Q.'s to report on the matter. In any case, this serum is always carried on our transports. "We cannot' arrange to increase the supply until we are informed of the drugs which were insufficient to meet the epidemic.

Medical Staff.—The senior non-com-missioned officer was a man of many years' experience, having been previously trained in the R.A.M.C. The dispenser was also a non-commissioned officer with two years' experience of transport work and very efficient. The orderlies had received the. usual four months' training, and were as efficient as could be expected after so brief a period of instruction. It is most satisfactory that the Court found that the steps taken were effective, and that the experts' evidence was to the effect that all possible steps were taken.