DIPHTHERIA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 64, 13 April 1945, Page 4

DIPHTHERIA

Sir s —Would you please tell me if anything is being done to prevent the spreading of diptheria. I know children are being injected (I have had my own done) most of us are getting panicky and realise it should have been done long ago. I lost a well loved brother from the after effects..

A few 'weeks ago while waiting for a bus at the Rock • I saw a. one time neighbour of mine carrying a child who looked very sick, I asked what was wrong } the mother said the doctor thought she had diphtheria but it might only be a septic throat.

Last week I met the Grandmother who said she had just come out of hospital after having diphtheria. That .the child I saw had been very bad with it also a sister and a cousin. All luckily are better now thanks to doctors and nurses, but they might not have been. Perhaps I have andt several other people have been, carriers without knowing it.

When my brother had it over 30 years ago, all in the house were immediately rushed to the town hall to have our throats inspected and the house, fumigated none of us got it. Has this method been improved

Yours etc. Mrs R. A. COUSINS.

(In answer to the above we have to point out the. intensive campaign now being staged by both the Health Department and by the local doctors by way of. injections for school children. The matter is one for the Health Department, on whom local authorities are dependent for guidance and advice. It is common knowledge that concern at the number of cases coming forward is fairly widespread and steps are being taken to draw the attention of the authorities to the position. Ed.)