BATHS FACTOR IN DISEASES OF EAR

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30954, 10 January 1966, Page 10

BATHS FACTOR IN DISEASES OF EAR

“The Preus” Special Service HAMILTON, Jan. 9.

The danger of hot pools and swimming baths spreading ear infections is emphasised in a report on diseases of the ear, nose and throat in Maori children published by the Department of Health. The report is one of a special series issued by the medical statistics branch of the department. A survey was conducted in the Waikato Hospital Board district and the material was collated by Dr. R. G. PhillipsTurner, of Hamilton.

On the dangers of hot pools the report says: “Bathing in any confined area may spread one’s own infections and occasion picking up those of other people as well. “Hot pools provide the added risk of what is, after all, a strong irritant chemical solution, entering the middle ear through any perforation that may exist in the drum." The report says that if future generations of Maori children retain their susceptibility to these diseases, the problem may become too big to handle.

However, the report says,

the survey indicates that an appreciable proportion of Maori women of child-bearing age is using contraceptive pills. It is impossible to estimate the effect of this on the future population and so on the incidence of ear, nose, and throat diseases.

The report recommends the continuation of measures already being taken as well as an increase in specialist staff and the improvement of general hygiene. It says it is imporant to attack the diseases as far as possible at their sources.

In a foreword to the report, Dr. H. B. Turbott, the former Director-General of Health, says that neglected discharging ears all too readily lead to permanent impairment of hearing and to the adverse social consequences which attend deafness.

Dr. Turbott says that it is hoped that shortly a service extending to many other parts of the country will be created to eliminate the present reservoir of suppurating ears. “If this is achieved,” he says, “it will represent a marked advance in raising the level of health of Maori children.”