NEED STRESSED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 25 May 1945, Page 2

NEED STRESSED

TUBERCULOSIS ASSOCIATION EDUCATION OF PUBLIC DR I. C. McINTYRE’S VIEWS Dr I. C. Mclntyre, superintendent of the Cashmere Sanatorium, in a talk on social aspects of tuberculosis given at the Nelson Rotary Club's weekly luncheon yesterday, advocated the formation of associations in this country similar to the National Tuberculosis Associations of England and America. Describing the functions of such organisations, Dr Mclntyre emphasised the good work which they could accomplish by educating the public in its attitude towards the disease, by influencing the authorities and the Government towards granting adequate pensions during the recuperative period, and. chiefly, by the care of the patient during his stay in a sanatorium and after he had been discharged. Organisations of this kind had recently been formed in Auckland. New Plymouth and Christchurch, said the speaker, and it was his object to seek the co-opera-tion of all the Rotary Clubs of Nelson. Marlborough and the West Coast in forming branches in their centres.

The after-care of the tuberculosis patient was most important in ensuring a complete cure, said the speak*-. The present relapse rate of 20 per cent, was far too high, and could only be reduced by adequate after-carC. Some patients were advised not to continue in their former occupations, some were told they could do only light work and others Were permitted to work only on a part-time basis. It was in assisting such people to find the right type of employment that he considered the local committees could by working under the guidance of the sanatorium officials, play a most important part in controlling tuberculosis.

Dr Mclntyre appealed to the club to co-operate in establishing a committee in Nelson and said he intended to make a similar appeal to all other Rotary Clubs in his district.

The speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Rotarian J. P. S. Jamieson,.

President Rotarian A. Robinson presided at the luncheon and visitors present were Rotarian B. H. Wood, formerly of Hamilton and now* of Nelson, Doctors W. D. S. Johnston. G. B. Campbell. R. F. Stenhouse, D. U. Strang, J. U Williams, R. Lucas and F. Hudson and Mr V J. Hawke, all of Nelson.