THE DIPHTHERIA EPIDEMIC

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 238, 26 June 1918, Page 4

THE DIPHTHERIA EPIDEMIC

ABATING IN WELLINGTON DISTHICT. Official figures of the diphtheria eases reported to the Health Department indicate that His epidemic is abating in tho Wellington district, which includes tho provinces of I'aranaki, Uawkc's Day, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, and part of Auckland (as far as East Cape)— an area with a population of about ■100,000 peoph. In this district the number of cases for the week ended Juno 2'l was 7.1. The following table given tho figures for six successive weeks:— ,Week ended. No. of Casca May 20 02 May '27 108 June i 97 June JO 68 Juno 17 83 June 21 75 Diphtheria is usually at its worst in tho months of May," Juno, July, and August.

Referring to the steps being taken by the -Department of Public Health , to cops with tho increase of cases of diphtheria in the Dominion, the Hon. G. W. Eu.ssell staled in Christchurch that the greatest difficulty experienced was tho lack of a trained staff of bacteriologists for tho diagnosis of the disease. When the epidemic was at an, acute stage in Southland, the Department had at its disposal for various periods trained students from the medical schools. The policy now being followed provided for the training of a number of men and women for bacteriological work, and it was found that the scientific training many received at tho high schools and universities was sufficient as a foundation. When the scheme was in nil operation it was hoped to have bacteriologists stationed in all the principal hospital districts, Uioir salaries to lie paid by the Government. By this meant) it was hoped to diagnose eases much earlier than at present, and, in particular, to ascertain those persons who were carriers, and so limit tho scopo of tho disease. Whether (he Slate vould be justified in segregating carriers of disease was a big problem, and one that required careful consideration; it wis possible that it would have to be considered. Tho Minister considered that tlw State would be within its rights in so dealing with persons who dissenir.alcd disease. lit the meantime the public could rest assured that Hie epidemic of diphtheria was being carefully watched by (he Department» officers, and that everythhv,' was being done (o limit i(s scope.