SICKNESS AT CAMP

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2568, 16 September 1915, Page 6

SICKNESS AT CAMP

• NO CAUSE FOR. ALARM. The increase, noticeable by reference to the daily hospital bulletin, of sickness at Trentham Camp was the subject of a question addressed to tile Defence Minister in the House yesterday by Mr. J. Anstey. - Mr. Anstey asked the Defence Minister whether liis Department was 'taking • the fullest possible precautions to prevent a recurrence of the serious sickness and the frequent deaths which had occurred at Trentham Camp some time ago. He asked because he had noted that there was a very rapid increase in the number of admissions into Trentham Hospital. On Monday morning 33 admissions were reported, on Tuesday 47, and on Wednesday 61. The increases were the more important because the number of admissions to the other hospitals was triflling by comparison with the number at Trentham. The Hon. J. Allen said he could give 1 tj : tho honourable member and to the House a full assurance that every care •was taken with regard to sickness at Tr.entham. He wished to allay any possible- fears, but ho must tell honourable' member's that they must expect rather* more sickness at Trentham 'than elsewhere because the men there were ■fresh troops recently brought into camp. It was found that tihe troops became hardeued after some time in 'camp/ At Trentham there -were a 'number of cases of colds and influenza. .But. if the honourable, gentleman had examined the hospital report more care'fully, he would have seen that oil many ;days the discharges from hospital exceeded the admissions. Thero were 450.0 iriieh in Trentham, and in a body of 4500 imeii, especially when.tho very_slightest cases of sickness were sent into lios■pit'al, there must he a number of sick reported. Most of the men went into hospital for a few days only. - Everything ;possiblo had been done to prevent tlie spread of sickness, and the sickness whicih had- occurred recently was certainly not. serious. Thero were somo influenza cases, and a few measles cases, but these outbreaks could not be prevented. Mr. Anstey: How do you account for the daily increase? Mr. Allen: If the honourable gentleman wishes to create a panic he can do it. I -have given tho honourable gentleman a straightout answer. I have told him that the cases going into hospital are the simplest of simple cases. He added that ho knew SurgeonGeneral Henderson's opinion about Trentham ' Hospital and Trentham Camp, but as that officer would put in a special report shortly ho (Mr. Allen) did not wish to make any reference to his opinions.' Thero was no reason for anyone to be alarmed.