HEALTH OF MEN IN CAMPS

Southland Times, Issue 23989, 2 December 1939, Page 6

HEALTH OF MEN IN CAMPS

DEFENCE MINISTER SATISFIED MR JONES EXPLAINS PROCEDURE ONLY ONE DEATH SINCE MOBILIZATION (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 1. The fact that only one death had occurred among soldiers since tHe mobilization of the special military force was emphasized by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) when referring this evening to the work of the medical service of the Army. This death, Mr Jones said, was not the result of any illness contracted in camp but was due to a type of abdominal condition existing before enlistment which could not be discovered by ordinary medical examination. “This state of affairs, must be regarded as eminently satisfactory,” said Mr Jones, “as new troops coming from widely varying phases of civil .life into completely different conditions are particularly susceptible to disease. Realizing this the Government and the Army authorities made every provision to ensure that the health of the soldiers would be maintained.”

Referring to the outbreak of influenza, Mr Jones said that the mild but widespread epidemic being experienced by military and civil populations was held by many authorities to be similar to that of 1918 in which a very large number of cases developed into pneumonia accompanied by considerable loss of life. In the present instance, however, nothing of a serious nature had occurred and the number of pneumonia cases in all camps and barracks in New Zealand was only four. “The medical organization has been designed to meet all eventualities,” .said the Minister, “and th.; officers are all medical «nen of outstanding professional experience and hold senior medical degrees. Several have practised as specialists in civil life and many have given up lucrative practices to take up work in the Army. TREATMENT OF MEN \ “Simple and effective procedure is adopted in dealing with sick soldiers. A soldier, who does not feel fit is encouraged to parade sick. He is then examined by the medical officer, who prescribes the necessary medicine and treatment. If the case calls for hospital treatment the patient is admitted to the camp hospital. If, however, the case is more serious and the patient is unlikely to recover in less than 48 hours he is transferred by motorambulance to the nearest civil hospital. “The policy laid down by the Government is not to give treatment in camp, but to rely on civil hospitals. Once a soldier is evacuated from a camp area he becomes the responsibility of the Health Department and the hospital boards, which work in the closest co-operation with the DirectorGeneral of Medical Services as occurred at Trentham when the outbreak of influenza was at its height. The Wellington Hospital Board accepted the offer of the Wellington Racing Club to make the racecourse buildings available for military purposes. With the co-operation of the Army, a temporary hospital was equipped with almost lightning-like speed and staffed from the Wellington Hospital.” The Minister also explained the procedure by which a close watch is kept daily on the health of the troops in camps and barracks.