DISEASE AMONGST CHILDREN IN WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 7708, 16 February 1886, Page 2

DISEASE AMONGST CHILDREN IN WELLINGTON.

Considerable apprehension haa been folt in Wellington daring the past few weeks iu consequence of the death of a large number of infants j and anyone visiting the cemetery can hardly help noticing the remarkably large number of newly dug tiny graves that are to be seen there. It having been rumored that a number of these deaths occurred from some more serious cause than ordinary summer diarrhoea, a representative of this journal yesterday interviewed several medical gentlemen residing in the city with the view of ascertaining the actual nature of the disease or infection, and its probable causes. The old saying with respect to the likelihood of doctors differing was practically exemplified in this instance, for while all the medical gentlemen agreed that the sickness was Summer diarrhoea or cholera infantum, each held a distinct opinion as to the causes of the unusual spread and large fatal results of the sickness this year. One gentleman expressed his belief that it was almost entirely due to the bad quality of the milk, which, he said, was probably diluted with bad water. “ The health of the city,” he added, “is horrible; and no one seems to take any interest iu it.” He considered that bad drainage was also a considerable element in the encouragement of the sickness. Another gentleman considered the sickness was simply what is called autumn diarrhoea ; that there was nothing unusual about the present spread of It in 'Wellington, except that it bad started earlier than usual, and was attended with unusually heavy results. A third also agreed with this diagnosis, and said the fatal result was in many cases due to improper treatment. “For instance, 5 * he said, “I was called to attend an infant the other day which was attacked by this sickness. The child was suffering from diarrheas, and was vomiting badly—- apparently passing away. I looked at its feet—they were blue with the cold, and by applying warmth at the feet, and up to the body, the child was relieved.” He considered the death of an infant was mainly due iu many cases to want of care in providing against cold iu the various parts of the body, especially the abdomea and legs. In answer to the question, Do you thing the drainage has anything to do with the spread of the sickness ? u Well,' 1 he said, “the drainage is bad, there's no doubt about that. There’s no system about it it’s botchy,” Ou this point all seemed to agree, viz., that the drainage of the city was a prime cause of the spread of the disorder. One suggested that milk ought to be analysed ; that it was highly necessary that such a course should be taken. Another pointed out that many children who were fed on condensed milk were attacked with the sickness. But in respect to the drainage they were unanimous.