DOCTORS IN CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12618, 23 March 1903, Page 4 (Supplement)

DOCTORS IN CONFERENCE

- . NELSON, March 6. At the annual conference of the Nowl Zealand branch of tlio British Medical Association the following mentions were nassptl:— , __;.. " That this meeting wish to draw the attention of tho (ioveriimont to the need of' bettor ventilation of,steamers and railway carriages, and they would Suggest that the regulations ajfninst overcrowding bo strictly carried out." Tho' attention of the conforciice having been directed to the publication in various newspapers of the colony of a paragraph sotting forth tho astounding information that scarlet fever is not infectious during the state- of desquamation (peeling), it was unanimously resolved that in the interests of public health the: paragraph should bo publicly contradicted, as evidence is conclusive , that scarlet fever is - infectious during Ihe : whole course of fho disease in tho peeling poriod. A recent statement by Dr Koch that in his opinion' bovino tuberculosis was not transmissible to human beings was held to have been ami>!y' disproved by all most eminent authorities. Numerous instances (were given'by. the medical practitioners of cases in which disease was developed ap.parently from. drinking milk of tubercular cows, the sufferers.'in some instances dying after a very, fliort illness. .The system of inspection of eattlo and dairies which had been inaugurated by tlic Government would, it was honed, bo extended, and be made more regular, .\nimals proved to be diseased should, it was urged, be immediately slaughtered, and until it was possible to establish more regular and moro frequent inspection of. dairies,, if there was the slightest doubt of the purity of tho milk it should be scalded. The ■ election of .officers resulted thus: President, Dγ,W. K. Collins (Wellington); editor of journal. Dr -Mason (Wellington); secretary, Mr H. M. (Jor? (Wellington).