TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20039, 4 March 1927, Page 8

TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT.

DETECTION AND PRETENTION. OR BLACKMORE’S REPORT. RECOMMENDATIONS OUTLINED, (Special to Daily Tikes.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 3. The first steps in organising a Dominionwide campaign for the detection, prevention, and treatment of tuberculosis were taken by the Hospital Boards’ Association’s conference ttfeday, when a comprehensive report of the special committee was adopted. The report of the special conference, which discussed on Tuesday Dr Blackmore’s recommendations in regard to the tuberculosis problem, was received in open conference this morning. Addresses were given by Drs G. J. Blackmore, A. Kidd, C. E. W. Lyth, H. Short, and T. H. A. Valintine Dr Blackmore's suggestions and recommendations were that — 1. The hospital boards of the North Island and those of th'e South Island should combine in their respective groups for the purpose of carrying out measures for dealing with tuberculosis. 2. Each of the two combinations of boards to have an executive committee representative of all the boards in the conference, but avoiding unwieldiness, the smaller boards to join in groups of two or three and appoint a single representative on the committee. 3. The functions of each of the North and South Island committees would be to take over, or establish and maintain, (a) tuberculosis dispensaries in the various centres, and the visiting medical and nursing personnel in connection therewith; (b) fresh-air homes for the children of tubercular parents; (c) sanatoria for early patients; (d) special hospitals for advanced cases; (e) working colonies for cases requiring medical supervision while their working capacity is being restored; (f) generally to control and direct the measures for the pivVention and treatment of tuberculosis in the respective items. _ It is considered the Government’s function to deal with tuberculosis patients having bad habits of character. It is also deemed the Government’s function-to establish and maintain research institutions. 4. Each committee will have associated with it a tuberculosis medical specialist, with administrative and organising ability, who would advise regarding policy, as well as supervising all the activities and the working of the institutions. 5. Reciprocal arrangements would be made between the North and South Island organisations for dealing with patients passing from one island to another. The remaining recommendations deal with particular measures of prevention and treatment, particularly as affecting children, as follows: — (a) The inculcation of better habits and conditions of living, and measures to improve the physique and increase resistance to the disease; (b) the means of detecting early infection, and of keeping cases under observation, and the introduction of open-air schools and fresh-air homes (all orphanages to be planned as fresh-air homes), and the placing of children of tubercular parents with foster-parents in the country; (c) inaugurating a pure milk supply. “I am sure that every delegate realises the responsibility that rests upon us in this,” said the chairman, Mr William Wallace. “Many difficulties are in the way, and the greatest difficulty is that of finance, but nothing should stand in the way of the relief of suffering, and I.have confidence in our ability to surmount any difficulties that we may meet.” Mr W. E. Leadley, Christchurch, in moving the adoption of the report, emphasised the importance of tackling _ the question as early as possible. He submitted that if the executive were able to formulate a scheme the association should hold a special conference before 1929. In Canterbury the breakingpoint had been reached in fighting the white plague. The work could not be extended, and twice as much money was being spent in Canterbury as in any other part of the Dominion. Mr C. M. Luke (Wellington) paid a tribute to the worth of Dr G. J. BlackraorCo address on Tuesday. The report had his hearty support had co-operation. It was not for the boards to rush blindly into vast expenditure, but the careful recommendations of such committees _as were suggested would be a guide of immense value. “The question is what are we going to do in the future,” said Mr J. K. Hornblow. “We can go back to our boards inspired after hearing the greatest authority on tuberculosis in the Dominion.” Mr F. B. Logan (Hawke’s Bay) opened up the subject of the examination of all persons over 40 years of age in its relation to the tuberculosis question. “ I must ask you to keep to the point and not discuss a subject already disposed of,” said the chairman. Mr W. Dove (Dunedin) suggested that a special conference to consider the committee’s recommendation be fixed for 1928. “ The executive has power to arrange that,” said the chairman. The report was adopted.