A DREAD DISEASE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 7, 13 February 1914, Page 8

A DREAD DISEASE.

STARTLING FIGURES. Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 12. The most important report to' come before the Medical Congress was presented this afternoon. It dealt with syphilis. At the last congress a New Zealand Committee was set up to investigate, tabulate, and report facts in regard to this disease. The Report is a very comprehensive one, and has been published in pamphlet form. The committee decided to limit its investigations to the condition of affairs in New Zealand and the South Sea Islands. In making its investigations the committee received information from 301 medical practitioners in the Dominion and from such institutions as mental hospitals, gaols, general hospitals, old men's homes, and Salvation Army homes. It is pointed out that of the cases reported'more than half come fom Auckland and Wellington, which cities have the most frequent communications from outside countries. The returns report 1941 primary and secondary cases that were seen by private practitioners during the last two years. To these must be added cases met with in institutions. The total cases reported are as follows: Auckland, 615 in the city and 138 in the country; Wellington, 412 in the city and 23 in the country; Christchurch, 252 in the city and 24 in the country; Diinedin, 44 in the city and 14 in the country. Therefore, the cities repdft 1323 cases and the country 265. Wellington and Auckland cities between them contributed 1196. cases: To these must, be added the hospital returns. The general hospitals reported 192 cases, and mental hospitals 18. The total fresh infections during the last two years in New Zealand therefore amount to 1941. Of the various institu- • tions which have sent in returns, 13 general hospitals report 192 cases. "Here,it is to be noted," continues the report, "that most of them by theirregulations refuse admission and treatment to primary venereal cases. Even at this stage one must remark on the extraordinary lack of foresight in this regulation. This certainly is a most unfortunate position, and the committee considers that hospitals ought to take in and treat any person suffering from this disease who is a"'danger to the community." The report goes on to say that if all the medical men in, the Dominion had replied to the circular sent out the amount of the disease reported would probably have been at least double. The replies 1 , as to the frequency of infection! as compared with former years is indefinite, but if anything the evidence probably have been at least double. The same applies to the enqtiiryas to severity, the evidence again being in favour its being'milder. In regard to enquiries as to sources of infection, the committee points out that the replies are practically, unanimous that the infection is seaborne. Sydney is specially mentioned, then the South Sea Islands, with a proportion of eases from other oversea routes. The report deals ai length with the South Sea Islands and more particularly with those Islands with which New Zealand is in direct communication.

In regard to the question of prevention, the committee suggests that it is eminently desirable that a Royal Commission should be set up in New Zealand and Australia and to act if possible in unison with the Royal Commission at present sitting in England. In dealing further with the question of prevention the report says:—"The committee takes -it for granted that the profession and public generally deem the police regulation of prosti-r tiition inadequate, inadvisable and useless. Women known as prostitutes are repressed by the police and are becoming rare, but clandestine immorality, by far the greater source of infection, holds the usual sway and seems to increase in amount the nearer we get to the Equator. Reference may be made, in passing to the prevailing impression that as this is a loathsome disease ir is found only amongst abandoned persons, as of oid. However, the medical profession knows that immorality clothed with a semblance of respectability is the greater source of infection. ''

The committee, after dealing at length with the possible remedies, summarises its recommendations as follows: —(1) That it be declared a notifiable disease, that notification be encouraged and discretionary, but not compulsory, and that the Chief Medical Officer of Health be the only person to whom the notification is made; (2) That provision be made through the .Hospital Boards to establish laboratories in the four centres where not already existent for the diagnosis of the disease; (3) That free treatment in the public hospitals and dispensaries be provided; (4) That steps be taken to educate the mercantile marine as to the dangers of the disease and that provision be made for preventive treatment in the intercolonial service; (5) That legislation be enacted against the treatment of the disease by unqualified persons. The report was very fully discussed and was adopted.