The Globe. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 477, 28 December 1875, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1875.

The disagreement between the medical men of Christchurch on the subject of scarlet fever is beginning to show itself. Correspondence in the newspaper columns has been started, and will probably be conducted with the usual amount of acrimony that distinguishes a difference of opinion between members of the medical profession. "Whether or no the fever be actually in Christchurch there can be no doubt but that it has made its appearance in other parts of New Zealand, and this being so, it is unlikely that this city will escape. One professional gentleman writes to a morning contemporary, and after expressing his unbelief in the presence of scarlet fever, states that " one thing is quite certain, if scarlet " fever does come here, the public will " have been so accustomed to the cry " of wolf, that little if any attention " will be given to it, until it has spread " too far for isolation." In this case, who will be to blame, the men who distinctly aver that the disease is not here, and who deny that their brother practitioners are correct in their diagnosis, or those who warn the public that they are already attending cases which they aver are those of scarlet fever ? If the latter party have cried wolf, they have done so at the risk of losing some reputation for competency in the performance of their professional duties, and if the former party still contend that there is no danger, they are doing so at a risk which only a very strong opinion of the incompetency of brother professional men can possibly justify. It is not for us to decide on which side the greatest medical ability lies; but " prevention "is better than cure," and we are therefore of opinion that due attention should be paid to the warnings we have already received. If it is deemed necessary that the system of isolation shall be put in force in cases which are at present under medical treatment, it will be no argument against such a line of action, if successful, that the disease) was not scarlet fever of a malignant type. The question of what constitutes a case of scarlet fever warranting isolation is for the Central Board of Health to determine, and they would of course have what they considered the best possible professional opinion in the matter. Prom the orders of the Board there would be no appeal, and if they should err on the side of excessive caution, it would be more satisfactory than if they exhibited any recklessness in such an important matter. This latter course is not likely, however, when we remember how the Board is constituted, and should they not consider the isolation system absolutely requisite, the public would be satisfied that this decision had not been arrived at without due information had been afforded. But the question ought to be settled at once. The present state of affairs is unsatisfactory in the extreme, and we trust it may be altered one way or the other during the next few days.