TROOPSHIP EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16247, 27 September 1918, Page 4

TROOPSHIP EPIDEMIC.

RESULT OF INQUIRY. Por Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 2G. The Minister of Defence has received a report of the Court of Inquiry which has been held in England regarding the epidemic on the troopship on which the 40tb Reinforcements were taken to England. The personnel of the Court had not been communicated to the Minister. The Minister gave to the press the report, as follows, the portions in brackets being merely explanatory, and not part of the report: “Tdie disease was reported to bo purulent bronchitis. The infection occurred at (last port of call before ship reached destination at which troops did not land.) The high mortality was caused hv had ventilation through the enforced closing of ports, (Ports aio closed by Admiralty order, for the sake of safety from submarines.) ‘'There aro differences of opinion in tire expert evidence as to the effectiveness of tlio inhalation chamber, but the Court considers it should have been used. The stops taken to cope with the epidemic were successful, in view of the fact that it was under complete control within ten days. _ “Evidence of experts was given to the effect that all was done that could have been done. The supply of drugs and stimulants was ample for normal conditions, but provision should be made for a greater supply in future in readiness for outbreaks of epidemics. “Sister Maxfield and the nurses did excellent work, but the medical orderlies were apparently inefficient. The master of the ship. Colonel Allen (not the Minister), the medical officers, nurses and men who volunteered as medical’orderlies rendered excellent service. “In future the hammocks should be eighteen inches apart. Vaccination for smallpox should be carried out before embarkation. The inhalation chamber should bo used after leaving every port of call. If mixed catarrhal vaccine inoculation is given before embarkation, the resisting power of the men will bo increased'. Supplies of anti-strepto coccus serum should he available on board all transports—and should bo renewed in England and New Zealand. Cases treated here arc certified by experts to resemble those affected by tho epidemic at Sling Gamp early this year.” GENERAL HENDERSON’S COMMENTS. The Director-General of Medical I Services in New Zealand (General Henderson) makes the following notes on j tho report;— . , Purulent bronchitis curing 1910 sincl 1916.—The opinion amongst medical officers in camps and the sanitary officers was that this type of bronchitis and pneumonia was duo to meningococcal (cerehro-spinal meningitis) infection. Pathologists in Britain do not yet admit the part played by meningococcus in these outbreaks. Lieutenant-Colonel Mill informs mo it is recognised in America. , T The Use of Inhalation Chamber. —It was probably too late to stop the epidemic by this means when it had once taken hold. A recommendation that the inhalation chamber should he used as a prophylactic after leaving every port has already been made in consequence of tho epidemic in the 31st Reinforcements, hut instructions were not issued until after tho ship carrying the 40th Reinforcements had loft New Zealand. . ... Hammocks.—A distance of eighteen inches between hooks carrying hammocks was provided in the ship, but owing to the irregularities in tho holds the distance actually obtained was somewhat irregular. It is a matter which must ho taken up with the Naval Transport Officer, and I have instructed the Director of Movements and Quartering accordingly. ' Ventilation.— Probably tho best arrangement would he that an extraction shaft in which fans work, should be placed at various points in tho holds fitted up for habitation and with blowers, would' tend to create a draught. Every transport would have to bo onsidered separately, and fans arranged in accordance with circumstances. It is a matter which will be taken up with the naval transport, who, as representing tho Admiralty, control these matters. (Sir James Allen interposed hero that he had discussed tins matter of mechanical ventilation on previous occasions, but the Government had tho greatest difficulty in procuring these fans. A few of them had been obtained.) Vaccination. —I should liko to consid'er the evidence whereby the aftereffects of vaccination were supposed to have affected the- resistance of the men. Personally, I am sceptical on the point, owing to" the length of time between vaccination, which occurs early on the voyage, and the date of the outbreak. Mixed Catarrhal Vaccine.—We do not know on what grounds the suggestion to use vaccine is based. Catarrhal infections aro not protective, but rather decrease the resisting power to subsequent infections. I consider no action should be taken until full evidence is before us. Anti-Strepto Coocal Infection.—This is recommended obviously in the belief that bronchitis infection is of strepto coocal origin. 1 think it was tried without success in the camps in 1916, but I am asking P.M.Q.’s to report on the matter. In any case, this scrum is always carried on our transports. We cannot arrange to Increase the supply until wo are informed of tho drugs which were insufficient to meet the epidemic. Medical Staff. —Tho senior non-com-missioned officer was a man of many years’ experience, having boon previously trained in tho R.A.M.C. The dispenser was also a non-commissioned officer with two years’ experience of transport work and very efficient. Tho orderlies had received tho usual four months’ training, and wor as efficient as could be expected after so brief a period of instruction. It is most satisfactory that the Court found that the steps taken were effective, and that the experts’ evidence was to the effect that all possible steps were taken.