DIPHTHERIA CASES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3091, 23 May 1917, Page 4

DIPHTHERIA CASES

SLIGHTLY ON THE INCREASE. 'Mr. H. Baldwin (chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board) stated yesterday, on inquiry being made, that there were now twenty-two cases of diphtheria in- the "Wellington Hospital, as compared with nineteen at this time last week. Six cases had been reported from the Lower Hutt last week, since when three other cases had been sent to the Hospital. Two of those were attending school on Friday last, and were playing about the streets on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday they were removed to the' Hospital. The members of Ihe School Committee have been in touch with Dr. Hector (of thf Hutt) respecting the outbreak, and / he has recommended that the schoolmaster might examine the throats of the school'children for any sign of inflammation, and lias suggested a simple means by which that can 1» done. The Hutt School Committee are also considering the advisableness of fnmieating the entire school. The whole of the schools of Hie Wellington district "break up" on Friday afternoon next for a week's term holiday, and it may be that advantage will be taken of this to give the school buildings a thorough fumigation, more as a preventative measure than anything else. A reporter inquired at the Education Board's office yesterday as to whether anything of the kind was to be done generallv throughout the district owing to the prevalence of diphtheria. The secretary (Mr. G. L. Stewart) stated that such holidays were usually taken advantage of to give the schools a thorough cleaning, and that would' doubtless be done during next week. As far as tho outbreak of diphtheria was concerned, tlio board was always ready and willing to work in with the Health authorities, but so far no cases had been reported to the board as coming direct from a school, and they had not received any communications from the District Health Office on the. subject so far, and in a matter of this kind they had to bo guided by the proper health authorities. Mr. Baldwin, when approached yesterday, said there was nothing further to report respecting the negotiations for an exchange of laud by which the board hoped to secure a suitable site for a newdiphtheria ward. It is understood that the Mental Hospitals Department, block is being surveyed pending a conference of the valuers concerned.