SICKNESS IN THE CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2838, 1 August 1916, Page 4

SICKNESS IN THE CAMPS

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. Roferenco to sickness at the camps was mado in the Houso last night. Dr. Thaoker said there was still uneasiness on the part of the public with regard to corebro-spiual meningitis and 6optic pneumonia, in the camp. Ho asked'the Minister of Defence whether he could givo another assurance, as he had a few weeks ago, that things wore all Tight in. the carapa. ' The Hon. ,T. Allen said thero had been no corobro-spinal meningitis cases since ho had last spoken. Thero had been several cases, of pneumonia, unfortunately some fatal cases. Dr. Thsckor: Septic? Mr. Allen: "1 suppose so. I don't know." Generali Henderson, ho continued, had recently been at Trentham and Eeathereton, and cortain precautionary measures were to be takon. The proposal was to delay the incoming of the next draft of reinforcements for a few days in order to' disinfect the camp thoroughly. The Upper Hntt Convalescent Home was to bo renovated throughout; and it would not be used for measles cases in future, but for influenza oases. , By keeping these under observation it was hoped that the occurrence of cases of meningitis would be prevented. . , • . , , , , Mr. C. H. Poole said be had been advised that many of the tents at Featherstoh were leaky still, and that in. the recent wet weather many men had contracted severe colds. Mr. Allen said that sinoe the honourable member had last'Taised this 1 question, he.had been informed that the tents at Featherston were not all waterproof. But there was. a tent-maker in the camp, and he thought the tents should have been repaired.by this time. Ho had that morning issued-instructions for a full report on the conditions of the tents at, Featherston, on the conit plaints made to officers on the subject, and on the action taken by officers on those complaints.