Medical Care Of Troops

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1939, Page 9

Medical Care Of Troops

WELLINGTON. This Day

The fact that only one death had occurred among soldiers since the mobilisation oi the Special Military Force was emphasised by the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) last night. Mr Jones was referring to the medical services of the army, and he said this death was not the result of any illness contracted in camp, but was dud to a condition existing before enlistment, and which could not be discovered by the ordinary medical examination. Eminently Satisfactory. “This state of affairs must be regarded as eminently satisfactory,” Mr Jones said, “as new troops coming from widely varying phases of civil life into completely different conditions are particularly susceptible to disease.

“Realising this, the Government and the army authorities made every provision to ensure that the health of soldiers would be maintained.”

Referring to the epidemic of influenza. Mr Jones said it was mild, but widespread. Nothing of a serious nature had occurred, and the number of pneumonia cases in all camps and barracks in New Zealand was only four. The medical organisation had been designed to meet all eventualities, and all the medical men were officers of outstanding professional experience and held senior medical degrees. Several had practised as specialists in civil life, and many had given up. lucrative practices to take up the work in the army. “A simple and effective procedure was adopted in dealing with sick soldiers,” said Mr Jones. “If a case calls for hospital treatment the patient is admitted to the camp hospital.

“If however, the case is more serious and unlikely to recover in less than 48 hours, the patient is transferred by motor ambulance to the nearest civil hospital. “Tire policy laid down by the Government is not to give treatment in camps, but to rely on civil hospitals. “Once a soldier is evacuated from a camp area he becomes the responsibility of the Health Department and hospitals boards, which work in the closest co-operation with the DirectorGeneral of Medical Services.”