TALCUM BEING WITHDRAWN FROM SALE

Chronicle (Levin), 5 June 1946, Page 4

TALCUM BEING WITHDRAWN FROM SALE

WELLINGTON, June 4. A furtlier death of a newiy-borrt c-liild from tctanus ascribed to infectioa liy spores iu talcum powder, was reported to the Health authorities in Wellington today, it was stated by the district Medical Oflieer of Health, Div Hubert Smith, this afternoon. This brings tlie total of such deatlis in the Dominion in the past month to four, and two further caSes occurring earlier in the Wellington district, are now ascribed to the same cause. Alf the cases occurred in the Auckland and Wellington health districts. None has been reported from the South lsland. Commenting on the further death, tlie" doputy direetor of health, Dr. F. S. SfeLean, said the infection would have been caused before the recent warniiig was issued by the Minister. The period of ineubation was f&irly long. D'r. McLean said more than one brand of talcum powder had been found to be infeeted witli^ spores. It seemed all brands manufactured from raw materials which were imported into New Zealand from Indian sources were atfected. 3 The lines atfected were manufactured in the Dominion. Saies of talcum powders in Wellington have dropped away almost completelv since the announcement by the Minister of Health, of tlie danger of tetanus infection from spores in faleu'm. powder. Inquiries today showed one proprietary brand had been withdrawn universally from sale on the instruetion of the distributors. One retail organisation followed this today with instruetions to its stores to withdraw all brands from sale till further notiee.