THE TRENTHAM CAMP

Otago Witness, Issue 3211, 29 September 1915, Page 5

THE TRENTHAM CAMP

A SATISFACTORY I REPORT. STATEMENT BY SURGEON-GENERAL HENDERSON. WELLINGTON, September 22. In accordance with a request from the Defence Minister, Surgeon-general Henderson (Director of Military Medical Service) has submitted a report on the irentnam Camp. Surgeon-general Henderson was asked to report on the increase in hospital cases. His report is dated the 20th inst. Hd states that he had perused the report of the Royal Commission and had inspected the camp hospital at Trentham, and ho had found that at present there was no epidemic. The cases of sickness in the hospital wore chiefly due to influenza of a mild type, and the number admitted was chiefly due to the excessive care of the medical officers, who admitted all who were even mildly indisposed. As regards measles, the cases were of a mild type, mostly of Gorman measles, and during the last throe days there were only three cases. The hospital accommodation was ample, and the patients were well cared for. As regards the camp itself, the huts wore excellent, and compared favourably with those supplied in England. There was no necessity for the provision of separate dining halls in the present camp. Surgeon-general Henderson considered the positions of Che huts were satisfactory, and stated that there was no objection to the intervals between, although in future camps he considered it better to have them 30ft apart. He did not consider that there was any overcrowding of the men, as the proportion of men to the acre was at present 105. The roads being constructed ' and the surface drainage were quite satisfactory. Ho was satisfied that there was no reason to fear the outbreak of any epidemic owing to any lack of sanitation, though they must bo prepared for measles and influenza recrudescing.

Surgeon-general Henderson makes some suggestions. He says that hot and cold water wore being provided, and, ho understood, would bo ready at the end of this week. This was a very urgent matter. He recommended that nightsoil should be disposed of by incinerators, and experiments would bo started immediately. The huts would bo all fully disinfected in October for six days between the time of the departure of one lot of troops and the arrival of another. Other small recommendations and comments are contained in the report.