FIGHTING CONSUMPTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18354, 21 March 1923, Page 9

FIGHTING CONSUMPTION

COMPULSORY DETENTION.

OBJECTION TO PROPOSAL.

DEPARTMENTAL [REPLY.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESB ASSOCIATION. J WELLINGTON. Tuesday. In reply to a resolution passed by the hospital boards on the subject of the compulsory detention of persons suffering from tuberculosis in its curable stages, the Department of Health replied stating that this is a matter which has not been attempted in any civilised country. One had only to remember the number of people who have done great things in the world jwhile suffering from consumption to realise how serious a matter it would be to interfere too far with their liberty. Under such circumstances segregation would be cruel procedure, as with simple precautions consumption is a disease not rapidly transmitted to others. In cases of deliberate neglect the medical officer of health had ample. statutory powers to interfere. It was estimated that there were 10,000 persons in the Dominion suffering from consumption in its various stages, and to segregate them would cost at least £1,000,000 annually, Only about one-fifth of the total had received treatment in sanatoria. Furthermore, it would be quite unreasonable to insist on the segregation of persons suffering from a disease of. low infectivity such as tubercle, when persons suffering from the more communicable venereal diseases are permitted to go free. Experience has shown that the prevalence ! of tuberculosis in New Zealand is lessening each decade, and this has also been found to be the case in other Englishspeaking communities, duo, no doubt, to improved social conditions generally. The -department could not advise adoption o£ the very expensive measure suggested, which, if given effect to, would be harsh and restrictive to sufferers from consumption, and of very doubtful value to the rest of the community. In regard to milk supply, the department took all possible steps to guard this, and was prepared to take drastic action in cases where it was reported that a person suffering lrcm this disease was engaged in handling milk. * h