H.—3l

The incidence in other countries is estimated at 10 times the annual deaths. It would appear that most of the European cases are under supervision but that there is still need for intensification of case finding amongst Maoris if this criteria holds for this race. Mortality returns for tuberculosis as supplied by the Government Statistician are scheduled as follows (subject to adjustment): —

Total Deaths, Death-rate, both Races. per 10,000. North Island .. .. .. .. ■■ 725 6-81 South Island .. .. .. .. .. 238 4-31 Both Islands 963 (919) 5-96 (5-62) It is of interest to note —■ (1) That European male deaths from all forms (362) exceed the European female deaths (229)(2) That Maori female deaths from all forms (206) exceed the Maori male deaths (166). The total number of deaths in 1944 exceeds the deaths in 1943 by 44. (3) The largest number of deaths from non-pulmonary forms is due to tuberculous meningitis. Age group, 1-5 years. (4) The age-group statistics for Maoris are also not yet available, but the largest number is in a much lower age group than for Europeans, and this is more noticeable for females. Sanatoria During the past year the Boards of the western area and those of the eastern area of the North Island combined into two groups to administer Otaki and Pukeora Sanatoria respectively, and both groups plan to improve and extend the sanatorium accommodation in their areas. The Boards in the Auckland-Waikato - Bay of Plenty area are actively considering a combined sanatorium scheme for their area. Plans for Future Control of the Disease The plans for the future control of tuberculosis envisage— (1) Improved " case finding " by better notification, tuberculin testing, and x-ray surveys. (2) Better classification, and the identification of all active cases. (3) Efficient treatment and segregation of these active cases in hospitals, sanatoria, and the homes until they are regarded as inactive. (4) Improvement and extension of institutional accommodation to provide more attractive and homelike surroundings in which treatment and training can be given. (5) Improvement of housing conditions for European and Maori tuberculous families. (6) The education of the general public in tuberculosis control in order to create a humane understandiug of the tuberculous patient's problems and to provide assistance for his complete recovery and his return to normal standards of life. Report by the. Director, Division of Tuberculosis A report by the Director, Division of Tuberculosis, in which he sets out the extent of the present problem in New Zealand and the Department's proposals for dealing with it, is printed as Appendix I to this report. DIVISION OF HEALTH BENEFITS Three additional benefits have been introduced during the current year : — The Social Security (District Nursing Service) Regulations 1944 provide for the inauguration of free district nursing services, where such services are afforded by a registered nurse, nursing aid, midwife, or maternity nurse in the employ of any Department of State, any Hospital Board, or any subsidized association. The Social Security (Domestic Assistance) Regulations 1944 provide the first step towards the inauguration of benefits under the Social Security Act in regard to domestic assistance during the incapacity of the mother for various reasons, or in cases of hardship. In their present form the regulations provide mainly for payments by way of subsidy from the Social Security Fund to approved organizations that have been formed for the purpose of providing domestic assistance in homes. The Social Security (Hospital Benefits for Out-patients) Regulations have been amended during the year for the purpose of extending the scope of the present regulations to enable Hospital Boards to provide, as out-patient treatment, approved services afforded at some place other than a public hospital. The Minister may approve of arrangements in respect of treatment for any specific ailments or bodily condition, but the principal purpose of the regulations is to enable Hospital Boards to make appropriate arrangements with recognized specialist surgeons in respect of operations for cleft palate and hare-lip.

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Pulmonary Forms. Other Forms. ~~ Total Deaths. European. Maori. European. Maori. ; , Totals, » Pulmonary. pulmonary. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. F. M. North Island .. 194 106 124 157 581 27 31 41 45 144 358 367 South Island .. 116 69 1 3 189 25 23 1 49 233 5 Totals .. .. 310 175 125 160 770 52 54 41 46 193 591 372 i___