TUBERCULAR SOLDIERS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1920, Page 4

TUBERCULAR SOLDIERS

PROVISIONS MADE FOR THEM

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER

OF DEFENCE.

The following statement regarding the provisions made undef different heads for men returning to New Zealand after service with the N.Z.E.F. suiiering from tubercular disease is issued with the authority of the Minister of Defence: — I.—The following provisions are made for tubercular patients, apart from treatment in the sanatoria: —

MEDICAL. (i) On discharge from sanatoria these patients are supplied with a speciallyconstructed tent or wooden shelter if suitable accommodation is not available at their homes.

(ii) Medical attention is available to these patients at the expense of the Defence Department at any time they may apply for it. (iii) Should the disease again become active these cases may be again admitted to a sanatorium.

(iv) Patients whose medical condition is such as to render them unsuitable for treatment in a sanatorium are treated at the public hospital nearest their homes or in some cases where conditions are suitable, actually at their homes; in either case a special tent or wooden shelter is provided by the Department if required. (v) While in the sanatoria patients who are fit are employed in occupational and vocational ' training. This training has the double object of occupying and interesting the patients, and so relieving the monotony of the long stay in the sanatorium, and also of training them in some occupation suitable for their condition bn discharge from treatment. At Cashmere Military Sanatorium ' there r is a poultry farm with over 600 fowls,' and instruction is given by a competent manager; basket-making and carpentry are also taught; courses of instruction in beekeeping and fruit farming are being arranged. At Pukeora Military Sanatorium leather, embroidery and basketwork are taught. Market gardening is taught the head gardener. Attached to the sanatorium is a farm of 300 acres, where the patients get practical training in the . various occupations of agriculture. Arrangements are in hand for teaching wool-classing, poultry farming, and bee-keeping A new and larger carpentry worskliop is being erected, as the present accommodation will not be sufficient.

1 PENSIONS. Each case is considered on its merits, sympathetic treatment being given by the 1 War Pensions Board in dealing with applications from tubercular soldiers. - Should a discharged soldier be admitted to a sanatorium, he is granted a full pension while in the sanatorium "At the discretion of the board this pension may be supplemented by a sum up to £1 per week. AN “AFTER CARE” BRANCH. An “after care” branch, employing suitable officers, has been formed under the Repatriation Department, and one of the objects of this branch is to give sympathetic attention to T.B. cases, treating them individually. A list is being prepared of all T.B. cases, and the Department will visit men in consumptive sanatoria, and follow them up after discharge. All paid secretaries of the Repatriation Department have been instructed to get into touch with any’ tubercular men in their districts, and have been advised how to assist them. Special provision is made at the'Department’s farm at Tauherenikau as regards medical attention, diet, and suitable open-air work. The total number of soldiafrs returned to New Zealand as suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, or suspected pulmonary tuberculosis, is 987. Of these 504 are at present under treatment, and 483 have been discharged from treatment. The latter number appears unduly large, and it is probable that many of these cases were merely suspicious, and not actually pulmonary tuberculosis, and the fact that so many have not required treatment suggests the probability that in many cases the condition was not tubercular. If a returned soldier breaks down in health through a disability due to or aggravated by service, the following opportunities for relief are available to him : 1. —-He can receive medical attention at the expense of the Defence Department. 2. —lf his disability is such that he is totally incapacitated his pension is increased to the full amount. At the discretion of the Pensions Board his pension may be supplemented by an amount up to £1 per week. 3. —A scheme for the supplementation of pensions in cases of breakdown or total disablement is under consideration at the present time.