THE EPIDEMIC.

Waipa Post, Volume V, Issue 234, 1 August 1913, Page 2

THE EPIDEMIC.

Mr J. A. Young, M.P. for Waikato, speaking in the House in regard to the prevailing epidemic among the natives, said : —I think it would be a good plan if the Public Health Department were to circulate certain diagrams showing the effect of smallpox on the patients. I have seen these diagrams exhibited some years ago in the Te Awamutu district for the purpose of explaining to the Maoris'the importance of vaccination. I do not know whether the Public Health Department has any of these diagrams still, but I am sure that with their aid it would be easy to show to the natives the mild effect of smallpox after vaccination, and the very serious effect of smallpox where there has been no vaccination. If that were done they would at once realise the importance of the measures that are being taken by the Department. I have seen Maoris vaccinated as the result of being shown these pictures, and if these pictures were placed in the hands of the various local authorities atthediTfermtkaingas it would help very much indeed. I think it is almost impossible to find medical men in sufficient numbers to go to the various native settlements, and I do not see why intelligent men capable of performing the simple operation of vaccination should not be made use of. Any man of ordinary intelligence should be able to do. it. Neither time, trouble, nor expense should be spared in this matter ; and if competent men, as I suggest, are sent to the kaingas they could explain to the natives, and endeavour to persuade them to be vaccinated, and thus save much loss of life, and help towords the extermination of this horrible disease in our country.