THE CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 303, 11 September 1918, Page 7

THE CAMPS

HEALTH OF THE TROOPS

LAST YEAR'S FIGURES

Tho report of the Director-General of Medical Services on. the health of the troops in camp for.tho year 1917 shows that the siefcnoss rate was very low. :Tho iluniliorof men in camp during the year was 3(5,191, and tho averago strength was" 9991. The .number of menadmitted.to hospital during the year was 4101, liiit the vast majority of these men wero suffering merely from ; colds and other slight affections. The sick rate was 12.49 per 1000, against ■ 10.50 in 1916. Tho number of deaths during tho year was 46, estimated to hn equivalent to a death rate . of 3.8 per 1000. The death rate among civilian males -'.between the' ages of 20 ■ years■ and' 40 yen)-s in 1913' was 4.02 per 1000. Trontharii had a higher sick rate than Featherston. ' A marked .feature of the. life of the camps during the year /was the. absence of opidemic disease.', This is attributed to the careful examination, of, recruits, to the v prompt isolation of reported cases of sickness, and to the establishment of the segregation camp at Tan-, hercnikau for the use of new drafts. The inhalation chambers were of great value in checking fjerm infection, and the increased hosnital accommodation 'mado possible tho isolation of all infectious diseases cases under favourable conditions. ;.-., The report mentions that the high ■standard of cleanliness., maintained throughout tho year in the camps, and thoi absence of flies, have, been great factors in, the prevention-'of, dirt diseases such as enteric fevers, diarrhoea, and dysentery, and credit must. ■he given to the medical and sanitary staff for their efforts in this direction, and for the support given. them by the ' Camp Commandants and their officers. In this, direction tho work of the dental officers must bb noted, as by cleaning up tho men's mouths and ensuring the healthiness.of their :gums and teeth they have-'undoubtedly raised the general standard of health .of- the troops. :_ "'■■ ;.•'' ■■ ■■ Experience has now' proved that ' nbundanco of fresh air, :plonty of spaco to live in, and consequent avoidanco of overcrowding, ample hospital accommodation and facilities for isolation', frith good drainage and avoidance of damp, areWseutials to securo healthy camps. : :-.'.. ■