TO FIGHT CONSUMPTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8182, 25 July 1912, Page 1

TO FIGHT CONSUMPTION

PLAN OF CAMPAIGN .SCHEME OUTLINED FOR WELLINGTON DISTRICT. Preliminary steps have now been, taken by tho Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoard to inaugurate a plan of campaign for dealing with the spread of consumption in this community. The leconimendations on the subject of a special committee are to bo discussed at the next board meeting, and in the meantime members are committed to a careful study of tho reports and suggestions laid before them on Tuesday. Two of these reports wore published in tho “Times" yesterday, but in addition there is another one by Dr If. Hardwick Smith, the medical superintendent, which has not yet received full publicity. In this report Dr Smith formulates a definite scheme for the treatment of consumption in tho Wellington district, the working out of which is designed to be under the control of tho Wellington Hospital Board. OBJECT-LESSON FOR THE PUBLIC. Tho scheme proposed, says Dr Smith, is not an elaborate one and will not involve tho board in much expense other than tho initial one of a few hundred pounds. Neither will any new legislation bo necessary to carry it out. Tho public must ho educated concerniug their responsibilities to themselves and their neighbors on the matter and his proposition is to show the public, in so far as he can, the dangers of infection of consumption and its control. There is no need to preach scare sermons on the subject, but it is a disease which can. bo practically stamped out by common-sense and public spirited co-operation. His object is to demonstrate that, by following a few simple rules relating to hygiene and health, people need have no fear of infection, and at tho same time can give those who aro suffering practical sympathy and help. As people live in their homes to-day thero is every fear of tho disease spreading. SIMPLE PROPOSALS. So far as concerns the scheme itself, Dr Smith proposes that a. dispensary should bo built as part of the outpatient department of tho hospital. In tho building should bo a certificated nurse, who should bo taught tho methods of preventing the disease and whose duties should be to visit the homes of sufferers ana give them advice and practical help in carrying out the treatment. Necessities such as drugs, sputum mugs, disinfectants and dressings should be given to those requiring them. Tho treatment ougnt to bo restricted to those who cannot afford private medical) advice and attendance. Tho purpose of tho dispensary would bo to make periodic examinations ot the physical condition of the patients and also bacteriological examinations of the sputum, whilo statistics of the condition, weight and progress of each patient should also bo kept. ■Patients attending- tho dispensary should be drafted when, necessary to Otaki, the Seddon shelters, or the Government working colonies. .WORK AN ESSENTIAL.

Dr Smith emphasises that it is most important that the late case should be treated with every kindness and care, but must be isolated, aa this is the case which causes the spread of the disease. It is. not necessary to treat consumption by stuffing the patients and. allowing them to leod lazy indolent lives. The best treatment is healthy surroundings combined with suitable-occupation. -In the early stages, at any rate, hard work and good surroundings are the two essentials in the curing of consumption.