THE WHITE SCOURGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12074, 27 February 1925, Page 11

THE WHITE SCOURGE

DR DLACKMORE’S CLAIM COULD BE MADE NEGLIGIBLE IN 20 YEARS. SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE Tho Fresh Air Home for Children, which was opened by the North Canterbury Hospital Board about a year ago, was toe subject of a report by l>r. Blackmore. a cow of which was received bv the Wellington Hospital Board yesteiday. The accompanying letter directed special attention' to certain stats.neats made in toe report Dr. Bluckmoie’s report stated that on December 31st there were 30 children in the Jiome. and 15 hod been discharged since the home was opened. One only remained a week. There was a very delicate test for ascertaining whether children, had been infected with tuberculosis, even though they show no evidence of the disease. The test had shown that out of the 44 oases 31 had received infecting probably in all cases from their parents. The children gave no signs or manifestation of the disease, but it was Certain that if nothing were done a good proportion of them would develop active tuberculosis in later life, and if they did not develop it the result would be due to the treatment received at the Fresh Air Home. “Matters are probably even weree than what I have stated,” continues Dr. Blackmore, “because the 13 ehil•dreni who have not yet shown evidence! of infection have not been fully tested, and it is practically certain that several of them, probably more thaas half, will eventually respond to tbd test. ...” IN TWENTY YEARS. “I am convinced that if homes -o* the same lines could be established throughout New Zealand, so that all. children of tuberculosis parents couldbe given immunising treatment pnai tiaed here, consumption of the lungs' would, in 20 years’ time, be an almost negligible disease in New Zealand, “To make this scheme successful in the highest degree it would, of course, be necessary, while dealing with the children, to use every effort to arrest the disease in the parents if they amai still living.” Mr C. H. Chapman said ai daim ldcsf that deserved serious consideration,: and he moved that it be referred toA the hospital committee for inquiry? with a view to bringing down a repo id to the board. This course was pdopted.