FIGHTING A SCOURGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23181, 29 October 1938, Page 12

FIGHTING A SCOURGE

Animal health in its economic bearing is given a good deal of attention in New Zealand, though no more than it should have, considering the place of the pastoral and allied industries as wealthproducing agencies. A new aspect, its relation to human health, was dwelt upon by the Governor-General in his address at the Royal Show function yesterday. His Excellency did not neglect the usual side of the subject, for he spoke of the menace of facial eczema, and the work being done to combat it; but he emphasised more strongly the scourge of hydatids, and what might be done to end it. The question is important. Fortunately action has been taken about it, and, if pressed home, may do away with a great amount of avoidable ill-health and suffering. Much time and money are being devoted to investigating diseases which, both as to cause and cure, still stand unconquered by medical science. Cancer is the outstanding example. It is right that this should be so, but there is no excuse for neglecting others which can be prevented if the cause is properly understood and precautions are 'Ltaken systematically. There is no mystery about hydatids. The lifecycle of the organism which causes them has been fully investigated, its hosts at various stages of development have been finally determined. If dogs are kept free of hydatids, there will be little risk of humans contracting them. Therefore, owners of dogs must accept the • direct responsibility of taking the precautions which have now been officially prescribed. That responsibility was described in detail and suitably emphasised by His Excellency. It is to be hoped his words will be heeded, and the scourge fought successfully, as it can be.