TUBERCULOSIS FIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 811, 4 November 1929, Page 14

TUBERCULOSIS FIGHT

CHRISTMAS LETTER SEALS TO GATHER FUNDS SUCCESS IN NEW ZEALAND From Our Resident Reporter WELLINGTON, Today. In a few weeks’ time Christmas postage seals stamped with the words “Help to stamp out tuberculosis” will be available for use. The seals are postage and anti-tuberculosis stamps and proceeds will be used to fight the disease. In order to grapple satisfactorily with the problem of tuberculosis, it is necessary for the State to begin with the child, who provides the primary occasion of infection and the ideal opportunity of treatment, according to Sir George Newman, principal medical officer of the British Ministry of Health. Although tuberculosis remains one of the principal national scourges, says Sir George, it is important to recognise that it is steadily declining. NEW ZEALAND DEATH-RATE FALLS The fall in the mortality from tuberculosis in all forms in New Zealand is set out clearly in the following 10yearly figures of the dath-rate from tuberculosis per 10,000 of mean population:—lß7B, 12.20; 1888, 10.69; 1898, 10.44; 1908, 8.89; 1918, 7.54; 1928, 5.02. The past history of the decline of this disease, says Sir George Newman, is not only full of encouragement as regards its relative c«*«quest, but also of instruction as to the factors which have played a chief part in its defeat. First among these is the increase in the powers of resistance of the individual by sound nutrition, the practice of hygiene and the immunisation of the people. Social amelioration and cheap food have played an important part. Secondly, there has been an improved practice in prevention of the spread of infection from the diseased to the healthy, and by the control of tuberculous milk or meat. The third line of defence is the care of the general health, including improved housing, less overcrowding, industrial welfare, the open-air life and adequate infant and child welfare service. Fourthly, there is the education of the people m the practice of health and the formation of sound habits of hygiene. PREVENTION AND CURE Lastly, there is the direct attack by particular methods, namely: Prompt and early notification; domiciliary and dispensary treatment; the sanatorium; the hospital; the village settlement; and proper and effectual means of after-care. In New Zealand the death-rate from tuberculosis has fallen remarkably, until today the mortality from this disease is lower, probably, than in any other part of the world. There is, however, a great deal of improvement to be effected, and the present is the time, when the disease is not so prevalent as formerly, that offers the best opportunity for grappling with it. Intensive measures can now be applied with every chance of making a fuller material reduction in the incidence of the disease. Sir Robert Philip, who is probably the most eminent authority today, and who has made the prevention and cure of tuberculosis his life work points out that the infant is seldom born tuberculous, and that infection is for the most part contracted in childhood. Childhood is, then, the period to which attention should be particuL y „ dl^ ected ’ and for this reason it is hoped the public will support the endeavour to raise funds by means of the Christmas seal.