TOO PREVALENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19760, 10 April 1926, Page 12

TOO PREVALENT.

THE DIPHTHERIA SCOURGE. HOW TO PREVENT IT. Valuable advice as to the prevention and treatment of diphtheria was given by Dr K. R. Steonson, of the Public Health Department, from the Exhibition radio station last evening. “To-night 1 wish to touch in a general way on the nature of diphtheria—a disease which is unfortunately too prevalent among us,” he commenced. “My main endeavour, however, will be to explain one of the methods of prevention of the disease.” “Prevention is better than cure, and no one can deny the fact that the best way to abolish disease is to prevent its occurrence. Diphtheria is a disease which attacks all ages, hut the older we grow the less liable we are tc contract it. As its predilection is therefore for youngchildren it is our duty* to prevent its occurrence as far as it is iu our power to do so. MENACE OF THE CARRIER. “The chief cause of the spread of the disease is the carrier. A carrier is a person who, although he may not be suffering from diphtheria, still harbours the diphtheria germs in his throat, and disseminates the disease by expelling the organism from his mouth or nose by coughing, sneezing, kissing, spitting, or even speaking. Objects contaminated by patient? suffering from the disease —such things as toy?, clothing, and bedding—may remain contagious for a long time, especially if they are kept in the dark. In schools the common use of pens, pencils, and slates, and the drinking cup by the scholars, some of whom are carriers, may be responsible for outbreaks.” “As regards the symptoms of the disease. The incubation period is usually from two to four days, which means to say that the germs have taken up their abode in the throat of the patient two to four days before he begins to feel ill. In older children and adults sore throat is a fairly constant symptom, but it is exceptional for young children to complain of their throats, their first symptoms being peevishness, loss of appetite, headaches, and pains in the limbs. An examination of the throat usually shows it to be inflamed, and later on one or two greyish-white patches can be seen on one or both tonsils. These patches generally spread until they may cover the whole of the back of the throat. At this time one or more hard lumps may be felt at the sides of the neck. EARLY TREATMENT ESSEN'"' 1 L. “Unless early treatment is carried out, the patches which have just been mentioned may extend into the voice-box and windpipe, and may be of such an extent as to cause the death of the patient by suffocation. 'With early and proper treatment t,h!s catastrophe can in practically every case be prevented. In the nursing of ail cases of diphtheria it is most essential to see that the patient is kept lying flat in bed for at least a fortnight, so that as little work as possible is given to the heart during the active stage of the disease. During this period the patient should not be allowed to sit up for any reason whatsoever. To those who have not a natural inununity, an acquired immunity which is lasting in most cases, can be given by the injection of three increasing doses of a mixture of toxin and antitoxin. During the past few years a number of schools In the Dunedin and Oamaru districts have been tested out, and those susceptible children immunised with a course of toxin antitoxin mixture. “When, however, the disease has been contracted we have a weapon of defence in the antitoxic serum prepared from the horse, and with its early use the death rate from diphtheria has dropped from 40 per cent, down to 10 per cent. The earner this serum Is given the less severe will bo the attack of diphtheria, and the less chance there will be of bad after effects such as heart disease or paralysis. ‘Tint whv let the enemy within our gates at all? We have the means of practically eliminating the disease from our country u wo would only make use of it, THE COURSE TO TAKE. “The school age is the diphtheria age, and so it is by carrying out a Schick test on our school children and immunising the si.sceptibiblea that the lirst step sliould be made Ip eradicate the disease. As a result of tests done on several of our local and suburban schools wo find that the number of Schick positive children—and children consequently susceptible to diphtheria is between 60 and 80 per cent. “There is a minimum of pain and discomfort and no local or general ill-effects follow. In a few cases there is a certain amount of pain round about the site ol injection of the toxin, but this occurs only in those who have a marked susceptibility to diphtheria, and it is these cases who should undoubtedly receive immunising doses of toxin antitoxin mixture at as early a date as possible. “Some two or three years ago the children in a school within a few miles of Dunedin were tested. Those who had a positive Schick reaction were immunised. Since then there has been an epidemic of diphtheria round that locality, but the children of that school have remained free, “During an outbreak of diphtheria in Oamaru a shoit time ago certain schools there, instead of having objections to the tests being done, asked for someone to carry them out and immunise those who were found susceptible. ‘Let me summarise by saying: “First, that diphtheria is one of the chief enemies of the children of our country; secondly, that its occurrence can undoubtedly be greatly diminished, and in this connection the Schick test is an excellent and reliable means of ascertaining those who are immune to diphtheria and those who are susceptible. The lest is harmless and painless and leases no ill after-effect; thirdly, that immunisation can be carried out in a simple and practically painless fashion, and produces in the individual a lasting immunity to diphtheria,”

GRAND FIREWORKS DISPLAY.

LAST BIG EXHIBITION ATTRACTION. On Wednesday night the last big attraction scheduled during the Exhibition period will be licit! on the Sports Ground, when a magnificent display of fireworks will be presented. Every care is being taken to ensure the execution of the whole programme without a hitch, and it is promised that it will be on a scale worthy of the last display of its kind likely to be held in Dunedin for many years. The programme includes no fewer than 12 elaborate devices, which establishes a new record. It will open with a half hour signal of bombs, rockets, and shells, which will be followed by a brilliant blaze of magnesium lights illuminating the whole of the Sports Ground. A grand flight, of ror kets, - a cloud-burst of shells, a tornado of whirlwinds, and a flight of whistling rockets will prepare spectators for the brilliance of the first device, the “Crown Jewel*.” Rockets of various kinds, including a wonderful flight discharging lightning, and various shell rockets will lead up to the second device, the ‘‘Duplex Fiery Fountain.” Other devices listed are tho ‘‘Acrobatic Monkey.” “Saxon Set,” “Jewel Set,” “Whirling Chroniotrope,” “Pyramid of Romans.” “Giant Saxon. Wheel.’’ “Stella,” “Scotch Thistle,’’ and “Double Cascade.”

The last item will be the “Eruption of Tarawera” —a wonderful volcanic scene, with flaming lava, peaks spurting flame, and mountains of coloured fire. lit tha inter-

vals between the big devices numerous attractive and beautiful minor displays will be given, including floating festoons ot scintillating colours, a swarm of soucissons, cloud-bursts of coloured stars, flight of giant rockets in prismatic colours, ascent of rockets in natural colours, and explosion of mines of jewelled serpents. As the closing day of the Exhibition is rapidly drawing near, there is sure to be an enormous crowd at this wonderful display, and those who wish to avoid the discomfort of last-minute arrangements should book early at the Bristol. WAITAKI BOYS’ CONCERT. Over 2CO boys from Waitaki High School will take part in the concert to be given in the Festival Hall on Monday night The programme will include musical numbers by the junior and senior choirs, violin solos, recitations, a short comedy, “Ihe Boy Comes Home,” ami a pierrot entertainment. The Exhibition Orchestra will also contribute selections. There is here the promise of a most enjoyable evening's entertainment, and the novelty of seeing Wnitakinns on the stage Vdll no doubt appeal to a wide circle in Dunedin. Booking is at the Bristol.

BASKET BALL.

EXHIBITION TOURNAMENT. TEAMS FROM SIX CENTRES. The first New Zoaian 1 basket ball tournament began at the Exhibition sports ground yesterday morning under idea! weather conditions. Seven teams from six centres compote:!. It is proposed to make the tournament an annual event, the winners to take the silver cun which is now on view in the Women's Section. Mrs R. S. MTunes (president of the New Zealand Basket Ball Association) was organiser, and she was assisted by Mrs IT. Muir (the vicepresident). Mr J. V. Hanna and Miss N. Campbell (Otago), Miss T. Johnston (Auckland), an:l Miss B. Armstrong (Wellington) were the referees. COURT A. The games resulted ns follows: 1 Otago A I. 4(i Heat Southland ”4. Wellington 38 beat Canterbury 30. Wellington 72 boat Otago A 11. 8. Southland 22 beat Otago A 11. 0. Canterbury 58 bent North Otago 14. Canterbury 42 beat Southland 35. Auckland 40 beat Wellington 40. COURT B. Olago A 11. 12 beat North Otago 0. Otago A I. 22 heat North Otago 10. Auckland 45 heat Southland S. Wellington 44 boat Otago A I. 10. Auckland 00 beat. North Otago 0. Canterbury 47 beat Otago A 11. 2. The cup points up to the present are ns follows:—Auckland 0, Wellington 6, Canterbury 0, Otago A I. 4, Otago A 11. 2, Southland 2, North Otago 0. NORTH v. SOUTH. The games will lie continued this morning, and in the afternoon a match between the North Island and the South Island will be played. The teams will be chosen from the following:— North Island. —Misses T. Orbell, T. Lander. J. Totman, J. MTutosli, 15. Lee. M. Johnston (Auckland), D. Crumpton, H. Roberts, U. Finch, R. Cordyre, M. Barratt, and Mrs Campbell (Wellington). South Island. —Misses A. M'Clurg, M. Woodhnm, M. Rynll. K. Harrop. E.- Smith (Canterbury), F. M'Gradie (North Otago), M. Mattingly, E. Barrowclongh, U. MTCenzio, J. MTherson (Otago), M. Royds and M. Williamson (Southland). [Published by Arrangement.] THE MARVEL BOY GLASSBLOWER. Whatever the trade or profession may be the skilled workman or artist seen at work invariably appears to be doing the simplest of jobs. You fancy that given the equipment you could easily imitate him. How ever, suppose yon give it a try and take glass blowing. You require sjtill acquired by long practice to know the requisite temperature to apply to the fusing glass; long practice to acquire the necessary manipulative dextertiy In handling the molten material, and then, as regards the “blowing,” the correct pressure to produce is not a matter of lung power. The gentles 1 breath suffices. One degree more and all is destroyed. The Marvel Boy Glass Blower in the amusement zone at the Exhibition is daily exemplifying the facts mentioned, and, more, he is demonstrating that without moulds or measures he can produce the articles he makes in any number all exactly to a pattern designed in his own mind Truly, the Marvel Boy Glass Blower is proving to visitors that he is a master in his art, and it is an education to watch and listen to him.