EPIDEMIC ON TRANSPORT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10086, 27 September 1918, Page 6

EPIDEMIC ON TRANSPORT

HEPj .i of couri of inqu.ry STATEMENT BY SURGEON-GENE-EAL HENDERSON. “We have now got the report froin the Court of Inquiry with regard to the epidemic on the transport which carried tho 40th Reinforcements,” stated tho Hon. Sir James Allen (Acting-Prime Minister and Minister for Defence) to a “Times” representative yesterday. Tho disease is reported to be purulent bronchitis; and tho infection occurred at their last port of cal! before they reached their destination. The troops did not land at - the port of call. The high mortality was caused by bad ventilation, through enforced closing of the ports. The ports are closed by order of the Admiralty for tho sake of greater safety from submarines. There are differences of opinion in tho expert evidence as to the effectiveness of tho inhalation chamber, but the conrt considers it should have been used. Tho stops taken to cope witn the epidemic were successful, in view of the fact that it was under complete control within ten days. Evidence of experts was given to tho effect thi}t all that could have been done was done. Tho supplies of drugs and stimulants were ample lor normal conditions, but provision should he made for greater supplies in future in readiness for outbreaks of epidemic. Sister Maxfleld and nurses did excellent work, and desire special recognition; but tho medical orderlies were apparently inefficient. Tho master of the ship, the medical officers, nurses, and men who volunteered for medical orderlies rendered excellent service.

Tho report further states that in future the hammocks should be 18 inches apart. Vaccination for small-pox should be carried out before embarkation: inhalation chamber should be used after leaving each port of call. Ventilation should be improved by blowers. If mixed catarrhal vaccine inoculation is given before embarkation, the resisting power of tho men will be increased. Supplies of anti-strepto-coccus serum should be available on all transports, and more than one strand, if possible; and should be renewed in England and New Zealand. The oases treated here were certified by experts to resemble those affected by epidemic at Sling Camp early this year.

REMARKS BY GENERAL HENDERSON.

The Director-ueneral of Medical Services (ourgeon-Geueral Henderson) remarks as follows on the report; —

Purulent Bronchitis.—During 1915 and lylti the opinion amongst ihe medical officers in the camps and of the sanitary officers was that this type of .bronchitis and pneumonia was due to meningo-coccal infection —(the meningococcus is tne germ of corebro-spiuai meningitis). The pathologists in Britain do not yet admit tne part played by the meuingo-coccus in these outbreaks. Lieutenant-Colonel mill, however. informs me that it is recognised in America.

Lise oi Inhalation Chamber. —It was too date, probably, to stop the epidemic by this means when once it had taken . hold. The recommendation .that the inhalation chamber should be used as a orophylactio after leaving each port of call has been made in consequence c.f he epidemic in the 31st -Reinforcement, and instructions have been . issued, but not till after the ship which,'carried the 40th Reinforcement left. Hammocks. —The distance of 18 inches between the hooks hearing the hammocks was provided on the ship, hut, owing to irregularities in the hold, the distance actually obtained was somewhat irregular. It is a matter •which must be taken up with the Naval Transport Officer, and I have instructed the Director of Movements and (Jiiarterings (Major Nutsford) accordingly. Ventilation.— Probably the best arrangement would be that an extraction shaft at which an electric fan worked should be placed at various points in the holds fitted no for habitation. Blowers wottld tend to create a draught. Each transport would have to bo considered separately and the fans arranged in accordance with circumstances. This matter will he taken up with the Naval Transport, who as representatives of the Admiralty control these matters. “I have di-cussed the question of ventilation with the Naval Transport on previous occasions (interposed the Minister), and we had considerable difficulty in getting these fans, though we have got a few. '‘Vaccination. —I should like to consider the evidence upon which the aftereffects of vaccination were supposed to have affected the resistance of the men. Personally, I am sceptical on the point, owing to the length of time between the vaccination, which occurs early on the voyage, and the date of the outbreak. “Mixed Catarrhal Vaccine. —We do not know on what grounds the suggestion to use the vaccine is based.. Catarrhal infections are not protective, but rather decrease resistance for subsequent infections. I consider that no action should be taken until tho full evidence is before ns.

“Anti-strepto-coccal Serum.—This is recommended obviously in the belief that the bronchitic infection is of strepto-coccal origin. I think that it was tried without success in the camps in 1916, hut am asking the principal medical officers to report on the matter. In any case, this serum is always carried on all transpots, and is changed at the end of the voyage. “Supply of Drugs.—An ample suply in excess of Imperial regulations is always carried on our transports. We cannot arrange to increase tho supply till we arc informed of tho drugs which were insufficient to meet the’ epidemic.

“Medical Staff.—The senior noncommissioned officer was a man of many years’ experience, having been previously trained in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Tho dispenser was also a non-commissioned officer of two years’ experience in transport, duty, and very efficient. Tho orderlies had received the usual four months’ training, and were as efficient as could be expected after so brief a period of instruction. “It is most satisfactory that the court found tha the stops taken were effective, and that the experts’ evidence was to the effect that all possible steps were taken.” The Minister said be bad not bean informed as to tho personnel of the Court of Inquiry.