SCOURGES OF THE ISLANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18944, 15 May 1933, Page 8

SCOURGES OF THE ISLANDS

SCIENCE TO THE RESCUE. ACTIVITIES AT RAROTONGA. (By the United Press Association’s Special Representative.) RAROTONGA, April 27. 'A great national work has to be done in fighting disease in the Islands. Sickness is an ever-present problem, and the aid of science and organised humanitarian effort has been enlisted. There is work for a small army of medical men, but it is being carried on, with courage and hope, by a mere group of heroic workers. One of the greatest gifts to- the native population is the provision of medical services. The extension of these is very necessary, both in personnel and equipment. The axe is being applied to State services lin the Islands, as elsewhere, but the woodman would confer untold blessings on thousands if the tree of medical treatment and research were not only spared but encouraged to flourish. A Long Fight. A fight against hookworm and round worm in Rarotonga has extended over a period of years. A scheme was Initiated by the late Sir Maui Pomare, who enlisted the help flf the Rockefeller Foundation. Dr. Lambert, South Seas representative of the Foundation, made a rapid survey of the Islands in 1926, and estimated that about 90 per cent of the natives were affected. Dr. E. P. Ellison shortly afterwards commenced a campaign against the disease, and ascertained that there was one fallacy in the treatment. This was that the sanitary conveniences were not flyproof. This aspect was taken up, and throughout Rarotonga the native people have been persuaded to act with vigour for their ■own preservation. From 800 to 900 privies have been built with depths varying from 12ft to 24ft, and it is estimated that practically every household and meeting place in Rarotonga Island has been so equipped. This is an important and essential preliminary to the efforts to treat the disease of hookworm and round worm. The specific for hookworm is carbon tetrachloride and for round worm oil of chenopodium. Mr Cowley is in charge ■of the construction work, representing both the New Zealand Government and the Rockefeller Foundation. People Respond Splendidly. The campaign was originally Intended to 1 extend over five years, but it has been reduced to three years. The Rockefeller Foundation contributed the maximum amount for the first year, and will decrease its grants in successive years, until New Zealand ultimately takes over the whole responsibility. Dr. Ellison considers that (he- people have responded splendidly in view of the considerable physical labour involved in carrying cut the scheme. Dr. Ellison states that two other diseases were the cause of considerable trouble in the Islands. These were tuberculosis and fllariasis. The former was being fought by education in hygiene, accompanied by remedial measures. Filariasis presented a very difficult problem. It was hard to ascertain tiie incidence of the disease, but very few natives were free from micro-filaria. though in many cases there was no sehous manifestation. An attempt would he made to stamp out the mosquito, the carrier of this disease. Infantile Mortality. Infantile mortality is still heavy in tlie Islands. The rate, however, had been reduced by enlisting the aid of women’s committees, who worked on tive lines of Plunket societies. Tne practices of the toluingas were cornbaled, and many of the women were giving their moral and active support to the elimination or such influences in connection with Island obstetrics.

The- Ilarotongans rajl themselves Maoris, claiming kinship with Hie New Zealand Maoris. One of Hie first raiu.es, “Takitumii," certainly came from Rarotonga, and lo Ibis day there is a district of that name in Hie island. Tills distinction is carefully preserved and honoured in Rarotonga.