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A committee representing Hospital Boards controlling North Island sanatoria met departmental representatives recently and discussed the question of endeavouring to secure a better diagnostic service for the people in the area served by these two institutions. As an outcome, a scheme is shortly to be launched whereby clinics under the supervision of the Medical Superintendents of the Otaki and Pukeora Sanatoria are to be established in various centres. The clinics will be periodically visited by those officers for examination of cases of tuberculosis referred by local medical practitioners desirous of obtaining a specialist's opinion. Hydatids.—New Zealand is in an unenviable position as regards the incidence of hydatid disease. Sir Louis Barnett, who has given considerable attention to the study of this disease, in an article contributed to the New Zealand Medical Journal, August, 1934, quotes the following statement he made in 1929 :— " At least 100 cases of hydatid disease have been occurring in New Zealand for several years past, and the numbers are increasing to some extent with increase of population. It will not be many years before the annual total reaches 150, unless an effective practice of prevention is established." He goes on to state, — " From the collective statistics that I have gathered together and set forth in this paper, the following conclusions can be drawn : They give food for reflection, and clearly call for some intensive prophylaxis against hydatid infection :—- " (1) That hydatid disease is increasing somewhat in New Zealand. Including cases seen in private practice, a reasonable estimate is that from 100-150 cases are occurring every year, with a mortality of about 15 per cent. " (2) That hydatid, infections are far more common in the Canterbury District than anywhere in New Zealand. The Otago District formerly held this unenviable distinction, and now comes second on the list. " (3) That an increasing number of cases are being treated in the smaller hospitals of the Dominion." The Hydatid Disease Research and Prevention Department of the Medical School, Otago University, is taking a prominent part in educating the public as to the prevention of this disease. Special posters and folders have been prepared under the direction of Sir Louis Barnett, which will be distributed extensively throughout New Zealand. The Department, by radio talks, press articles, and through its Medical Officers of Health, has also been active in this direction. The solution of the problem of prevention of hydatids is comparatively simple, and can be summed up in the following directions issued by the Medical School Authorities :— (a) Administer regularly every two or three months the specially prepared worm-destroying tablets to country dogs. This can be done quite easily according to the following simple and effective method : Tie the dog to a convenient post or tree on Saturday afternoon. Do not feed him. On Sunday give him a dose of arecolin hydrobromide— For grown sheep and cattle dogs, | grain ; for dogs of terrier size, \ grain ; for smaller breeds and pups, § grain. The dose may be given in a small piece of meat or butter. Purging begins in about half an hour. After two hours the dog is let loose and fed. The droppings must be made harmless by fire or burial. Further instructions will be given on request by Health Officers, Stock Inspectors, or Veterinary Surgeons. (b) Never let dogs feed on raw ofial, and, if it is needed for dogs' tucker, boil it for ten minutes or so ; it would even suffice to throw the offal into a can of water and bring to the boil. This simple action requiring very little trouble, kills all parasites and renders the food fit for use. Experimental work on alternative methods of killing the parasites by the use of antiseptics such as formalin is now in progress at the Hydatid Research Department of the Otago Medical School. (c) In patting or fondling dogs, handling sheep, and so on, remember the risk of contaminated hands, and the possibility, especially in children, of the hydatid eggs being transferred from hands to mouth. Make a practice of washing the hands before meals. (d) Foodstuffs should be protected against direct pollution by dogs and indirect contamination by flies. Salads and other vegetables that are eaten raw should be carefully washed. (e) Hydatid eggs that reach water soon sink and infection from this source is not very likely, but, to be on the safe side, water for drinking purposes should be boiled or filtered. Anthrax. —A case of anthrax was notified from the South Canterbury District. Dr. Telford, Medical Officer of Health, reports on this case as follows : —- " The infection was caused by a shaving-brush of foreign origin, and it is interesting to note in this case that out of six shaving-brushes examined from this shipment, three, including the patient's, proved to be infected with the anthrax bacillus—i.e., 50 per cent.—three out of six brushes examined. Ido not recall any previous shipment showing such a high degree of infection."

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