TUBERCULAR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 226, 18 June 1919, Page 6

TUBERCULAR SOLDIERS

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE' ASKED FOR, By Telegraph-Press Association. Auckland, June 17. A deputation from the Patriotic Society and the Red Cross Society, waited on Sir. James Allen and asked if special assistance could bo given to a number of returned soldiers iiow Buffering from tuberculosis. It was stated that even tho full pension was insufficient to providi for their needs in certain caSea. It was suggested that the pension to tubercular patients should be increased. A number of cases were quoted showing that tho Patriotic Society had been called oil to provide relief. The deputation asked for a scheme to be evolved whereby extra sanatoria accommodation would be provided. In reply, Sir James Allen said the policy in regard to incurable cases had not been definitely settled. He was opposed to placing all tubercular men in one large institution in each island.'Ho preferred to seo annexes to the civil hospitals established,', so that men could be near home. Tho D.C.M.S. had appointed two medical officers to go throuph the Dominion for the purpose of examin ing- all out-patient soldiers, and where possible men who had been discharged. If any were found to have thediseaso he hoped to 6end them to hospitals to' be cured. He detailed, the extra sanatoria accommodation being provided.. In regard to the suggestion to increase tho pension ho said that if a soldier was totally incapacitated he received the full pension, and in special circumstances something in addition.