A STIRRING APPEAL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 76, 6 May 1914, Page 8

A STIRRING APPEAL.

SAVE THE CHILDREN.

CONSUMPTION IN THE YOUNG.

OPEN-AIR HOME PROPOSED.

DE. BLACKMOEE EMPHATIC

A public meeting was held yesterday afternoon in the City Council Chamber in connection with the proposal to establish an institution for children who are predisposed to tuberculosis, or who are threatened with the disease. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr Holland) presided over a large meeting, of which the majority were ladies. Amongst those present were: Dr Blackmore, Medical Superintendent of Tuberculosis Institutions, His Lordship Bishop Julius, Dr P. Fenwick, Messrs F. Horrell (chairman of the Hospital Board), A. H. Turnbull, and Wharton (secretary of the Hospital Board), and several members of various charitable bodies.

The Mayor said that the object of the meeting must appeal to everyone who had the welfare of humanity at heart. They hoped to be able to make arrangements to keep.those who had been in contact with consumptive sufferers from mixing with other people. It was hoped that a big committee -would be set up to administer the scheme. There would also be a subscription list, which would be subsidised to the extent of 24/- in the £. They could engage in no more humanitarian work than the alleviation of suffering. Prevention Better Than Cure. Dr Blackmore said that a good deal of work had been done towards the curing of tuberculosis, but there had been very little done in the way of prevention. They were beginning at the wrong end in striving at the prevention of consumption in adults. The disease was essentially one of childhood. It was to the children that they must look if the disease was to be stamped out. Tuberculosis was a disease which entered the system from without. It was like a seed which took root, and in order to do so it must have suitable ground. The strong, healthy body was not suitable ground for the tuberculosis germ.

He held that every child had a right to

inherit the priceless blessing of health. Well-to-do parents could afford to look after the well-being of their children, but there were many who could not do so. It was therefore necessary that they should have certain institutions in which they could put children who had not already contracted the disease, but

who through illness or other cause had ' been so weakened as to be predisposed to the disease. They would be kept there "until their powers of resistance had been increased to the utmost. After discharge they would be looked after by the Tuberculosis Dispensary. Then they must have an institution for the care of those who had already contracted the disease. Annex to the Sanatorium.

It was essential that the children's institution should be distinct from that at which adults are treated. There was a considerable difference beween their treatment and that of adults, and they could not be expected to abide by the same rules as are imposed upon grownup patients. At the same time he said he,did not think it was wise to have too many institutions, and for that reason he thought the children's hospital should be in the nature of an annex to the sanatorium on Cashmere Hills. They would need about 15 or 20 beds, and the necessary buildings might cost about £4500. The mere provision of the institution would only be the first move, as provision would also have to be made for its upkeep. It seemed a great pity that they had not in the Dominion some institution where they could deal with all their consumptive patients—men, women, or children. At the same time he did not think that they could afford to rely on the chance of some wealthy person leaving £50,000 or £60,000 to found such an institution. Slow to Save Lives.

It might be argued, he added, that as consumption was a national danger, it should be fought nationally—that is, by the Government. It was noticeable, however, that in the matter of destroying life, in the matter of warfare, Governments sped with wings. When it came to the question of saving life, they deliberated at great length. It seemed, therefore, that if they wanted anything done, they must do it themselves. A Sinister Instance.

Dr Blackmore went on to show that consumption is essentially a house disease. It was very rarely—possibly never—contractedin the open air. Those who lived in the same house as a consumptive ran great risks of infection. He gave instances which he had met showing that in many cases people suffering from consumption are deliberately sowing the seeds of the disease amongst others. He told of a father in Christchurch who, because of his ailment, stops at home amongst his children, whilst the mother goes out to work to keep the family. Already two children have died of the disease, one is smitten by. it, and another is suspected of having it. But what could they do? With their ideas of the rights of the subject, they could not chloroform this man, but they must leave him to spread the seeds of a deadly disease amongst his helpless children. There were many cases where mothers afflicted by the disease were unable to enter the sanatorium owing to their inability to get anyone to look after their children. They jeopardised their own chances of recovery, and exposed their children to all kinds of risks. Help for the Helpless. Bishop Julins heartily supported the proposal to help the children, in carrying out this work they were helping the absolutely helpless, and it was a work in which every humanitarian should bear a part. There was no appeal which should come to their hearts more than that which was now being made to them. They should not allow lives to be wasted. If there was anything which he could do to further the scheme urged by Dr Blackmore he would do it gladly. A Resolution. Dr Fenwick moved: —"That it is desirable in the interests of our national health that an open air home for children predisposed to tuberculosis, such as contacts, and those affected by tuberculosis, be provided as a right accompaniment of the facilities of treatment which obtain in North Canterbury." Mr F. Horrell, who seconded the

resolution, said that if they were to save hospital expenditure in the future they must take care of the children. To make a strong, sturdy race they must attend to the weaklings of the present. The Mayor said that the stories told by Dr Blackinore must have touched all their hearts, but they must not allow it to remain there. The Town Clerk would be glad to receive any contributions which might be made to the fund. Surely they could easily raise £2OOO.

A Committee Appointed,

The resolution was carried, and the following committee was appointed: — Bishop Julius, Bishop Grimes, Dr Orchard, Mr Hallenstein, Kevs Knight, Mackenzie, and J. J. North, Mr Asehman, Dr Fenwick, Messrs H. E. Smith, J. A. Flesher, J. J. Collins, P. J. Board, Mesdames Speight, Humphries, M. Eichmond, Greenwood, Misses Stoddart, Cooper, and Old. Arrangements are being made for a thorough canvass of both city and country districts for subscriptions. The Mayor has received a contribution of £5 from Mrs (Dr) Crooke.