CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15558, 7 March 1911, Page 5

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.

DR FINDLAY’S PROPOSALS. RESOLUTIONS BY THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 6. When waited on this morning by an interviewer, Dr Findlay was asked for his opinion concerning the attitude adopted by the New Zealand branch of tho British Medical Association concerning his proposals for _ the better safeguarding of the public in regard to the social evil.

The following resolution relating to certain infectious diseases was passed by the conference which has just concluded its sitting:—(l) “That the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, while recognising the efforts of the Hon the Minister for Justice to prevent the spread of tho social evil, has doubts as to whether venereal diseases are either on the increase or so prevalent as tho figures which havo been quoted indicate, and that this conference is of opinion that if coercive measures be taken to prevent the spread of such diseases they will result in driving persons who are tho victims of them into the hands of quacks and unqualified practitioners, which is calculated to magnify the evil and its effects; nevertheless this Association, with a view to assisting Dr Findlay, is prepared to recommend tho compulsory notification of such diseasos by numbers only, provided that no coercive measures be taken by the Health Department, unless in the opinion of the practitioner notifying tho disease such measures are necessary in the Interests of the public health- If on tho information gained by such notification, it would appear to be necessary in the interests of public health that more stringent measures be taken, then this Association would be prepared to aid in the adoption of some such scheme as has been outlined in fhe proposals of the Hon Dr Findlay.” (2) “ That in the opinion of this conference some modification of the Prisoners Detention Act as in force in New South Wales should be introduced into New Zealand.”

“The proposals the doctors make were roallv anticipated bv mo in an address I gave in Wellington a few days ago.” remarked the Minister, who wont on to say that ho had not changed his opinion of tho value and efficiency of his former proposals, but. that he recognised that unless he could carry fhe medical profession with him they would have but a limited chance of success. Pin view of this I expressed my willingness to modify the proposals in the direction of making notification of ■ho case alone compulsory, and not 'hat of the patient,” said Dr Findlay. “ This would obviate the objections patients and doctors have to the patient’s name being communicated, even confidentially, to the Public Health officer. It would, however, enable tho Public Health officer to reliably determine the extent and spread of this contagious disease. At present the prevalence of this class of disease is largely a matter of uncertain speculation. I have relied, it is true, mainly for my conclusions upon the evidence furnished me by tbe reformatories, by the prisons and by tho hospitals of New Zealand. This, lam bound to say, amply justified the conclusion I arrived at as to the extent of the evil. Moreover, I have been informed by a number of medical practitionors, whose practice gives them some special authority to speak, that my estimates of the prevalence are not exaggerated.” “ Tho first step to be taken in shaping remedial legislation,” continued the Minister, “is to know the extent of tho evil to be remedied, and it would he a very great help indeed if the Public Health authorities are- placed in a position from time to time to determine the extent and spread of this disr ease. The representatives of the British Medical Association here in Auckland said the other day that if the profession in New Zealand are satisfied that the evil is as .widespread and increasing ns many think, they would bo prepared to favourably consider the full operation of my former scheme. That is all we want. lam very much delighted indeed that the profession through this Association has agreed to the passing of legislation making it compulsory upon them to notify each case of venereal disease coming under their notico professionall to the Public Health authorities, but in every case without the name of Hie sufferer. It will also be observed that the doctors agreed to a measure of co-operation with tho Public Health authorities where, in their judgment, such co-operation was necessary in the interests of n'ublic health. The attitude of the profession as expressed by those resolutions is to me exceedingly gratifying. lam well content with the steu now suggested, short though it is of‘tho longer step which T believe will ultimately be taken. It is necesaar for. mo to add that these proposals of mine have not been considered by the Cabinet, and that their necessity has been impressed on me in my office as Minister of Justice and Minister in

charge of reformatories and gaols, while also in administering the Police Department 1 received reports in connection with a great variety of Cases dealt with by the police.”