H.—3l

The returns for 1944 of deaths from tuberculosis (all forms) give a total of deaths 'for Maoris of 372, with a crude death-rate of 37-40 per 10,000 of Maori population (figure for 1943, 36-6). This rate is one of the highest when compared with other countries, but with the recent intensification of early case finding by the Department and hospital clinics, new methods of treatment, and an improvement of Maori housing, the coming years should show a reduction in this high figure. It has been found from the 1944 returns that — (1) European deaths of males from all forms of tuberculosis are .. .. 362 These exceed the deaths of females, which are .. .. .. 229 in a male and female population of approximately equal proportions. (2) Maori female deaths of all forms are .. .. .. .. .. 206 And exceed Maori male deaths, which are .. .. .. .. 166 The total number of deaths in 1944 for both races is 963, exceeding the number for 1943 (919) by 44. Age-group statistics for deaths of both races in 1944 are not yet available, but the previous year's figures show— (1) The largest number of deaths for females is in the age group 20-23 years. (2) The largest number of deaths for males is in the age group 45-65 years. The largest number of deaths from non-pulmonary forms is due to tuberculous meningitis, which is chiefly caused by the human type of infection (age group 1-5 years). The age-group statistics for Maoris are also not available, but the largest number is in a much lower age grouping than for Europeans, and this is more noticeable for females. Tuberculosis has been for many years the highest single cause of death in females in the age group 20-29 years and is responsible for 30 per cent, of the deaths from all causes in this group. Approximately 4 per cent, of all deaths in New Zealand have been for some years due to tuberculosis. Deaths from, non-pulmonary forms of the disease in 1944, as furnished by the Government Statistician are — Europeans .. .. .. .. .. .. 106 Maoris .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. 87 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 193 The Pbesent Known Incidence op Tuberculosis Disease in New Zealand The probable incidence in other countries is estimated at a figure ten times the annual number of deaths. On this basis it would appear that New Zealand, with a declared number of deaths for 1944 of 963, has a probable number of tuberculosis cases or 9,630. A register of all notified tuberculous cases is now being compiled. Eight tuberculosis areas approximately of similar numbers in population have been defined, in which the local Medical Officer of Health supervises general social welfare activities, domiciliary control, and a " case finding " scheme. Hospital Tuberculosis Officers supervise diagnosis and treatment in these respective areas. All tuberculosis workers in these areas are now attempting to classify all patients and to register the respective numbers of those who are suffering from the various forms of the disease, the various types (bovine or human), the various degrees of activity, and the degree of involvement of various organs. The Tuberculosis Division of the Health Department co-ordinates the activities of all hospital officers and the departmental workers in the field. The National Tuberculosis Register discloses the present known incidence of cases under supervision at the 31st December, 1944, as follows (1943 figures in parentheses):—•

New tuberculosis patients notified to Medical Officers of Health during 1944 (1943 figures in parentheses)

It would appear that 332 of the total 2,254 must have been found to be non-tuberculous and deregistered during the year. Allowing for 963 deaths in 1944 and this presumed figure of 332 cases deregistered, the final accretion to the total register cases as a result of the year's work can be estimated at 959.

15

Mixed ■r„„„ Pulmonary Non-pulmonary Pulmonary and TT , KaCC - Forms. Forms. Non-pulmonary Unclasa ' fi ed- Totals. Forms. Europeans .. .. 4,906 551 69 74 5,600 (4,853) Maoris .. ..1,854 215 24 38 2,131 (1,919) Total for New Zealand .. 6,760 (6,096) 766 (567) 93 (109) 112 7,731 (6,772)

Race. Pulmonary Non-pulmonary Forms. Forms. Locals. ; Europeans 1,501 (1,799) 211 (221) 1,712 Maoris .. .. .. .. .. 476 (521) 66 (62) 542 Total for New Zealand .. .. ..1,977 277 2,254 (2,603)