VENEREAL DISEASE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 30, 29 October 1921, Page 12

VENEREAL DISEASE

HOSPITAL TREATMENT FAYCL’RED BY WAIRARAPA HOSPITAL BOARD 'From Our Own Correspondent.' Masterton, October 28. "That the North Canterbury Hospital Board strongly vrges upon the Minister of Public Health the necessity of including venereal diseases dnfong the notifiable diseases, and that all other hospital boards be invited to join in this request,” was a resolution considered by the Wairarapa Hospital Board thia morning, but after a’ brief discussion a motion that the resolution should be supported was defeated by eight votes toft ur. Mr. J. F. Thompson (Greytown) moved that the board sympathise with theopinion expressed 'by tho Canterbury Board, and support the resolution. Mr. J. C. Ewington (Masterton) seconded the motion. Mr. TV. B. Mathieson (Eketahunu); 'This isi not a matter to bo dealt with hurriedly, Mr. Chairman. Mr. W. Fisher (Carterton): You will notice, gentlemen, that women’s meetings from end to end of New Zealand are against the disease being made notifiable. It is a very delicate matter. You will drive the disease underground if you make it notifiable. Women object to the publicity involved in attending clinics. Mr. Mathieson asked whether the Hospital Boards’ Conference had discussed tho matter. The chairman (Mr. E. G. Eton): No, it is a question that has been avoided by hospital boards and other public bodies. Continuing, Mr. Eton said that his experiences as a chemist led hint to support Mr. Fiilicr’s opinion. There were two classes of venereal disease—one very contagious. The public hospitals were open to sufferers, and that was a much better method than making tho disease notifiable. Mr. A. O. Considine (Lower Valley) i Aro the cases treated free in tho hospitals ? Tho chairman: Yes. Mr. J. D. Wilson (Paliiatua) said he felt that hospital boards were not competent to give an opinion on the question. It should bo dealt with by a medical board or the Public Health Department, who would have far more information at their disposal. The North Canterbury Board were more competent to discuss tho matter than the local board, for they had experience in the control of a city hospital—the Christchurch Hospital. Ho was inclined to support the motion. Mr. Thompson gave his reasons for moving the mol ion. ‘‘Only last week,” he said, "Dr. Thacker placed the risks involved in not making the disease notifiable before the House. Dr. Thacker was strongly of the opinion that something should be done. If carried, the legislation will not apply to women any more than the mon. They will not ho undeir any greater disability than the men.” Mr. Ewlngton said that, ns a member of a committee visiting the Mental Hospital last week, ho was told by an official that a great majority of the cases in the hospital were ihore as a result of venereal disease. That was whv ho had seconded tho motion. Mr. Considine said it was not for the board, but for Parlimnrtnt, to decide the question. If the Bill became law they would have to accept the position, but he was of the opinion that the present system of free treatment in the hospitals was the best. The motion was lost.