RAVAGES OF DISEASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 13

RAVAGES OF DISEASE.

MENACE TO SOCIETY. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON,- July 10. An official report of a deputation from members of the British Medical Association which waited upon the Minister of Publio Health (the Hon. R. H. Rhodes) last week in regard to venereal diseases was furnished to the press this evening. The deputation impressed on the Minister the need' for taking steps to combat the spread of these diseases on the lines of the recommendations made a similar deputation which waited on lire Prim* .Minister at Auckland on June 20. Dr Collins (Wellington), chairman of the pcrniancnt Medical Commission appointed to deal with the question, headed the deputation, which brought under the notice of the Minister the recommendations made in the report which was presented to the Australasian Medical Congress, at Auckland in February. The Minister was urged to tak* certain steps to arrest the spread of tho diseases, including voluntary notification of cases to tho district health officer by doctors, tho establishment of free treatment at tho public hospitals, the setting up of laboratories for tho of venereal diseases in the chief centres, the imposition of a heavy penalty on unqualified persons for treating such diseases, and tho instruction of those engaged on the mercantile marine, especially in the intercolonial service, in the methods of preventing and treating the diseases. The Minister said he thought that legislation would be required to carry out some of the things that wore asked, but education was very essential. Ho thought it would be necessary to proceed very cautiously. As to tho question of educating children on leaving school, he considered that to be the duty of the parents. He agreed that free treatment and medicine should bo provided for those who could not afford to pay, otherwise the disease could not be stamped out. He did not favour the establishment of special dispensaries, as people would not be inclined to go to them. He agreed that great harm might be done by unqualified persons treating these diseases, and, if possible, it should be stopped. Any legislation should be uniform with that in force in Australia. He mentioned that the cost of living effect to the commis.von’s recommendation in Victoria was estimated at from £SOOO to £7OOO a year. If that were so, what would it be in New Zealand? Dr Collins; I do not think it would ba much less in New Zealand, Mr Rhodes: Even at that price it would be money well spent.