DIPHTHERIA AT THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19349, 9 June 1926, Page 12

DIPHTHERIA AT THAMES.

COMBATING THE DISEASE.

INOCULATION OF CHILDREN.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES. Tuesday.

The Health Department has the situation regarding the threatened epidemic of diphtheria well in hand. Dr. Mary Wilson, of the department's Auckland office, arrived yesterday, and will immediately engage in a campaign against the disease. This will take the form of the inoculation of school children provided the consent of the parents is first obtained. It is proposed to circularise all parents to this effect with a "form of consent" enclosed. The department's circular explains that for the year ending December 31 last there were 82 deaths out of 2717 cases of diphtheria in the Dominion, and emphasises the need for the ultilisation of all possible methods of warfare on the deathdealing germ. It is felt that with the presence of a carrier at the Central school parents will readily fail in with the department's request and give every possible facility to Dr. Wilson, who is.ready to commence the work immediately. The idea is to inoculate all the children at all the schools three times at weekly intervals. In the meantime, the schools will probably remain open and a start will be made to-day with the fumigation of books, etc.

There were no further admissions to th® hospital this morning.