Typhoid Outbreak Worst That Canterbury Has Known.
DR PEARSON SAYS MORE CASES EXIST NOW THAN HAVE OCCURRED BEFORE.
ti TV T EVER IN MY EXPERIENCE have there been so many XN cases of typhoid fever in the Christchurch Hospital,” said Dr A. B. Pearson, pathologist at the Hospital this morning. “ I cannot remember more than three at the same time before, and at present there are six definite cases.” Dr Pearson explained that the present outbreak presented serious features. “ Previously when two or three cases have come in, they have generally originated in some country district, and have originated from contact with the first case. The cases at present appear to have no relation at all, and have arisen independently.”
To-day the pathological department began an analysis of oysters, which have been suggested as a cause of the outbreak, but there will be no definite pronouncement available for five or six days. Dr Pearson is of the opinion that if the infection has arisen from oysters, it is highly improbable that all the beds are infected, but perhaps one bed may have been tainted. “ We may get nothing from our search,” said Dr Pearson, “because incubation takes from 12 to 18 days and the infected oysters may now have disappeared. We are testing oysters merely because that class of food is fre-
quently the cause of the disease in other countries. The disease has such a wide range of symptoms that it is a- very difficult one to be suspicious of. During the first week at any rate, the patient will feel ill, but not ill enough to go to bed.”
Control by Vaccination. The experience of the army medical authorities during the war showed that typhoid could be perfectly controlled by vaccination, said Dr Pearson. The whole of the pathological staff at the hospital, numbering eleven, were vaccinated this morning. “ Vaccination. I consider, is highly desirable,” he said. iiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiM
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Bibliographic details
Star (Christchurch), Issue 18889, 12 October 1929, Page 1
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320Typhoid Outbreak Worst That Canterbury Has Known. Star (Christchurch), Issue 18889, 12 October 1929, Page 1
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