SICKNESS AT TRENTHAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16024, 16 September 1915, Page 9

SICKNESS AT TRENTHAM

RECENT INCREASES.

MINISTER'S EXPLANATION

MANY AILMENTS SLIGHT.

■ —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.J

Wellington, Wednesday. The increase noticeable by 'reference* to the daily hospital bulletin "of sickness at the Trentham camp was the subject of a question addressed to the Defence Minister in the House to-day by Mr. J. Anstey (Waitaiti).

Mr. Anstey asked whether the Defence Department was taking the fullest possible precautions to prevent a recurrence of the serious sickness and the frequent deaths which had occurred at Trentham camp some time ago; On Monday morning 33 admissions to the hospital were reported, on Tuesday 47, and on Wednes day 61. The increases were the more important because the number of admissions to the other hospitals was trifling by comparison with tho number at Trentham. The Hon. J. Allen said he could give a full assurance that every care was taken with regard to sickness at Trentham. He wished to allay any possible misunderstanding, but he must tell hon. members that they must expect rather more sickness at Trentham than elsewhere, because the men there were fresh troops recently brought into camp. At Trentham there were a number of cases of colds and influenza, but on many days the discharges from hospitals exceeded the admissions. There were 4500 men in Trentham, and in a body of 4500 men, especially when the very sli>'itest cases of sickness were sent into hospital, there must be a number of sick reported. Most of the men went into hospital for a few days only. possible had been done to. prevent the spread of sickness and tho sickness which had occurred recently was certainly not serious. There were some influenza cases and a few measles cases, but these outbreaks could not bo prevented.

I Mr. Anstey : How do you account for the dailv increase? Mr. Allen : If the hon. gentleman wishes to create a panic he can do it. I have given him a straightout answer. I have told him that the cases going into hospital are the simplest of simple cases. Sir. Allen added that he knew Surgeon-General Henderson's opinion about the Trentham Hospital and Trentham camp, but as the officer would put in a special report shortly he (Mr. Allen) did not wish to make any reference to his opinions. There was no reason for anyone to be alarmed.

DEATH IN THE CAMP. SPINAL MENINGITIS CASE. [BT telegraph. —PßESS ASSOCIATION'.] Wellington. Wednesday. Private John Watson, of the D Company, seventh reinforcements, who died at Trentham Camp Hospital yesterday afternoon, was one of the original spinal meningitis cases, and was admitted to the hospital on July 9. Deceased came from He,ddon Bush, Southland.