SOLDIERS' SICKNESS

Nelson Evening Mail, 1 August 1916, Page 4

SOLDIERS' SICKNESS

CASES OF PNEUMONIA

DEPARTMENTAL CAPE.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.,

WELLINGTON, This Day,

■Reference to sickness at- the camps was made last evening again by Dr. Thacker, who said there was still public 'uneasiness with regard to cerebro spinal meningitis and. septic pneumonia in the camps. He asked the 'Minister of Defence whether he could,give another assurance as he had a few weeks ago that things were all right in the camps. The Hon. J. Allen said there had been no cerebro spinal meningitis case* since he had! last spoken. There! had been several cases of pneumonia, unfortunately some fatal cases.

Dr. 'Thacker: Septic? The Minister : Oieneral Henderson had recently been at Trentham and Featherston. and certain precautionary measures were to be taken. The proposal was to delay the incoming of the next draft of reinforcements for a few days in order to disinfect the camp*'thoroughly. The Upper Ilirtt convalescent home was to be renovated throughout .and it would not be used for measles cases in future, but for influenza capes. By koeping these under observation it was hoped that the occurrence of cases of meningitis would be prevented. Mr C. H. Poole said he had been advised that maiv\i of the tents at Feathers ton were leaky still, and that in the recent- weather many had contracted severe colds.

Mr Allen said that since the h'on. member had 1 last raised this question he had been informed' that the tents at Featherston -were that there was a tent-maker in the camp, and be thought the tents should have been repaired, by this time. He had that morning issued instructions for a* full' report on the condition of the tents at Featherston.