FIGHTING CONSUMPTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15131, 23 October 1912, Page 8

FIGHTING CONSUMPTION

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE

ARRANGING A CAMPAIGN.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington Tuesday. A conference, called by the Public Health Department, for the purpose of planning a campaign against the spread of consumption, opened in the Parliament Buildings to-day. The Minister for Public Health (Hon. It. IT. Rhodes) presided, and others present were Hon. Dr. Pomare, Dr. Valintine (Inspector-General of Hospitals and chief health officer and a number of other medical men. In welcoming the delegates the chairman said their presence indicated the importance of the problem to be grappled with. The result of their deliberations would be, he felt sure, the initiation of a campaign which would result in a great- general good, provided the plans laid down by the conference were followed.

In such a country so climatically endowed as New Zealand, it ought to be . practicable to stamp oiu- the disease of consumption, and to this -end they must proceed on well organised lines. In referring to the question of immigrants the Minister said that while the officers at this end had done their work conscientiously,- still cases had slipped .and he thought that steps might" be taken at Home to appoint an inspector there. As a matter of fact the Minister in charge of that Department had discussed the matter with the High Commissioner (Hon. T.' Mackenzie) before the latter went to London, and he was now waiting word from him before taking steps in the appointment of an inspector at Home. Another sanatorium for those patients in the latter stages of tho disease . was to be established in Worth Canterbury. Discussing the establishment of farm colonics, it was intended, said Mr. Rhodes, that Cambridge should be in the nature ci such an institution, but owing to there being no provision in the Auckland district for consumptives in the more advanced stages Cambridge provided this. When the Auckland sanatorium was completed Cambridge would be available as a farm colony. Another important point was the necessity for educating the people. The "reasonable recommendation" of the conference would have the best consideration of the Cabinet, and would, as fax- as possible, be carried out. The whole scheme must bo arranged according to financial possibilities. In Dr. Valintine's address the objects 'of j the conference -were summarised —Firstly, to infuse new vigor into tho campaign against consumption; • secondly, to consider what legislative or administrative departments are lacking in our machinery ; thirdly, to obtain the opinions of those who are actively employed in the treatment of the disease, as to those particular forms of treatment which in the light of modern knowledge may be adapted with advantage; and, fourthly, to obtain tho views of members of the medical profession engaged in general practice as to what part they arc prepared to undertake in the campaign. Tho Conference decided to hold its sittings in committee.

SUGGESTION TO THE CONFERENCE.

ON SUBJECT OF HEREDITY. [by tfxegbavit.— association-.] lint;ton . Tuesday. At to-day's meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board it was resolved that Dr. Hard wick Smith, the Board's representative at the Tubercolosis Conference, should bo asked to lay before the conference the advisability of obtaining the family history where possible of persons admitted to sanatoria. Also that Dr. Smith should obtain the views of delegates as to advisability of adopting means of sterilisation in cases of heredity, degeneracy, advanced cases of consumption, or any disease which may be considered hereditary and calculated to bring misery and suffering to future generations.