THE 40IHS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1918, Page 3

THE 40IHS.

REPORT ON EPIDEMIC

ppmt imras associ.viion.— copyright. ) WELLINGTON .Sept. 26. r, The Minister of Defence has received to report of the court of inquiry which „ has been held in England regarding the n epidemic on the troopship'on which the w 40th Reinforcements were taken to t p England. The personnel of the Court has”not been communicated to the Minister The Minister gave to the press ( a. report as follows: (The portions in brackets are merely explanatory, and | not part of the Report) : “The disease was reported to he virulent bronchitis. The infection occurred at (the last port of call before tb e ship reached its destination, and a port at which the troops did not “The high mortality was caused by « Pad ventilation, through the enforced t closing of the ports, (the ports are clos a cd by Admiralty order ,for the sake of safety from submarines. “There are differences of opinion in* the expert evidence as to the effectiveness of the inhalation chamber, but the court considers it should have been us- '■ cd. The steps taken to cope with the epidemic wore successful, in view of.the fact that it was under complete control within ten days. Evidence oi experts was given to the effect that all " as clone that could have been done. “The supply' "of drugs and stimu--1 hints was ample for normal conditions, but provision should be made for a greater supply in future, in readiness For outbreaks of epidemics. Sister Max I held and the nurses did excellent work, ilnit the medical orderlies were apparl entlv insufficient. The master of the j | ship Colonel Allen (not the Minister), ! the medical officers, the nurses, and the men who volunteered as medical order- ! Res rendered excellent service. In iu- ; ture the hammocks should be 18 111 ‘ j dies apart. Vaccination for small pox . should he carried out before embarka- 1 lion.** I “The inhalation chamber should be . ' used after leaving every port of call. If a mixed catarrhal vaccine inoculation is given before embarkation, the resisting power of the men will be increased. Supplies of anti-streptococcus serum should be available on board all the , transports, and of more than one strain : is possible, and it should he renewed in England and New Zealand.” * “The cases treated here arc certmecl ‘ by experts to resemble those affected ' by an epidemic at Sling Camp early this year.” .