SUN TREATMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22293, 20 June 1934, Page 10

SUN TREATMENT

AN AUCKLAND PROJECT VALUE TO TUBERCULAR PATIENTS. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, June 19. The need for establishing a special department of heliotherapy or sun treatment at the Auckland Hospital was stressed by Mr A. L. Spence at the meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board today. Mr Spence, who had given notice of motion, moved that a committee should confer with the medical superintendent and members of the honorary staff and prepare a report on the practical measures necessary to establish a department of heliotherapy at the hospital. Mr Spence said it appeared-that there were always numerous cases of surgical tuberculosis in the hospital. Sunshine was needed for convalescence and it ■ was generally admitted that a majority of the patients could not secure satisfactory convalescence at their homes. The use of sunshine really meant the use of the sun cure as adopted in special hospitals overseas for the treatment of _ surgical tuberculosis. A special hospital was needed for the purpose, and in conference with the board, the Director-general of Health had suggested that one hospital would serve the needs of the whole Dominion, and that it was really a national matter. The board, if it chose to act, could be the pioneer'for New Zealand in this - respect, especially as the flat roof of the Wallace wards was ayailable practically as a ready-made solarium at hardly any cost. “Sun treatment does'not mean merely shifting the beds into the sun,” Mr Spence said. “It consists of exposing the whole body to the sun under proper medical supei’vision. If sunlight treatment is used recklessly it can be a source of grave danger to the patient.” A member of the honorary consulting staff had recently returned from England, where he had investigated the work of several sun clinics and his advice was available to the board. It was asserted positively that this treatment could euro surgical tuberculosis even in advanced stages. Mr E. H. Potter said the suggestion wag most valuable and the board should certainly give it a trial. The resolution was carried.