TUBERCULOUS CHILDREN.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 41, 25 March 1914, Page 5

TUBERCULOUS CHILDREN.

AN IMPORTANT REPORT. An important report on the treatment of tuberculous children was. submitted to the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board; this morning by Dr G. J. Blackmore, medical superintendent of the Cashmere Hills Sanatorium. Dr Blackmore wrote:—• "The sister in charge of the dispensary is anxious to initiate a movement having for its object the provision of an institution for dealing with children who are tuberculous, or who are threatened with tuberculosis. I reconpnend that she be granted permission to N move in this direction. The only action she would take would be to get persons who are interested in the matter to devise and carry put a scheme for providing what is required. The sister held a meeting last week, at the dispensary, of ladies interested in nursing and philanthropic work in the city, In order to secure their co-operation in the dispensary work, and the subject of an institution for children was broached and seemed to meet with general approval. -, "In accordance with a request made by the Public Health Committee, I submit a few remarks on this branch of tuberculosis work. It is an important part of our work at the dispensary to impress upon those who have come much into contact with consumptives that they should be periodically examined by a doctor, so that the earliest signs of the disease may be detected, as it is amongst those who live with consumptives that most cases of the disease occur, and it is of the greatest importance that children who have been subject to infection should be earefully watched, as they are more susceptible • than adults. I find a certain proportion of the children who come to me in this way have evidence of tuberculosis, and I find many more who, while not definitely tuberculous, are in such a condition that they are almost certain to develop the disease unless something is done to prevent it. Both these classes of children need to be taken away from their infeeted surroundings, the former for treatment and the latter that they may be put under such conditions that they will become really physically fit, as the strong, healthy body is the best safeguard against tuberculosis j while at the same time they can be taught practically what to do in order to avoid consumption. "It is, of course, no use taking steps to.find out whether children are tuberculous or are likely, to become so unless we' Care in a position to remedy the evils found. In any campaign against consumption we begin at the wrong end if we deal solely with adults. The -time to, prevent consumption is mainly in childhood. At present we have no means of "dealing with children. The sanatorium is not the proper place for young children with tuberculosis. Still less is it the place for those who are on the road to develop the disease. What is needed is an institution divided into two parts, one for treating children already tuberculous, and the other for dealing with delicate susceptible children. An open-air school should be attached to each.

"The proper place for such an institution is, I think, in the grounds of a sanatorium where sufficient space has been provided to enable the children to t>e dealt with away from the main institution. Unfortunately, the available ground at this sanatorium is so limited in extent that we have almost reached the limit of even for adults, so that for that reason alone th% children's building cannot be put up here. It is a thousand pities that this institution had not been put on a site which would' allow of all the sanatorium institutions —I mean the sanatorium proper, the children's home, and the farm; colony—being placed on the one site and run by one staff.

"The project of having a properlybuilt and equipped building for children is probably too ambitious to be realised at present, but I thought we might at least aim at a small cottage in a suitable situation in charge of a trained nurse, and when its value has been realised doubtless the funds for the larger institutions will be forthcoming." Dr Blackmore 's report was referred to the Public Health Committee of the board.