PEOPLE’S HEALTH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 61, 15 March 1943, Page 2

PEOPLE’S HEALTH

EFFECTS ON CHILDREN FREE FROM EPIDEMICS. While the war had added to the difficulties in maintaining public health, the Dominion had been fortunate that effects had been so slight, said the Minister of Health, Mr. Nordmeyer, in a broadcast address this week. Although a boundless selection of food, as enjoyed in peacetime, was not available in war, Dread, milk, butter, cheese, oatmeal and potatoes were still in full supply. Eggs were sometimes difficult to ootain and there was a shortage of citrus fruits, but these difficulties were due to war commitments. It was natural, said the Minister, that, with so many young men away and with fewer doctors to care for the health of the people, the general sickness average should rise. Records showed that the health of the children was not as good as it was a year ago. Apparently there was an inrease in the number of children who required a period in health camps to restore vitality. Mr. Nordmeyer went on to say that the civilian population had fortunately been tree from serious epidemics. There had been an increase in the number of cerebro-spinal meningitis cases last year, following the outbreak in the North Auckland district, but the death rate had been relatively low. A vigorous campaign by the Department of Health, in cooperation with the police department had resulted in stopping an upward trend of social diseases. Last year's notifications of cases of tuberculosis showed an increase said, the Minister, but this did not necessarily indicate that there was an actual increase in the disease. The Xray examination ol men and women for the forces had revealed cases which otherwise would have gone unsuspected and might never have developed sulficienty to affect the ord inary life of the patient.