Spread of Diphtheria.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1922, Page 4

Spread of Diphtheria.

A POSSIBLE CAUSE

A possible cause of the spreading oi diphtheria among children was mfcneil lo by Dr R. 11. Makgill, acting modi- ; till officer of health, in the course of a ' statement at Auckland last week. { He remarked that undoubtedly there was too much diphtheria si hunt. The disease was expected at this time ol ( the year, and provision was made nc- ; cordinglv, but this year showed an in- | crease in the number of patients noti- : tied so far, over the returns for the i corresponding period last year. There , was no occasion for any alarm, how- j ever, as the eases were well distributed, j There was no suggestion of an epidemic. He believed that the practice of dis- . tributing ]>eneils among school children ; was a contributory cause to the spreading of diphtheria. The children in the course of their work placed the pencils in their mouths. Next morning the pencils were again distributed among the pupils, and other scholars received them, who likewise placed them in their mouths. It was reasonable to think that them were carriers among the children, lie understood that this practice was more prevalent among country schools, and commented oil the fact oi’ the number of eases ol diphtheria that had been reported from the country districts. He thought that the attention of the educational authorities might he diav.n to the matter. The Department had notified them that the practice was not in the interests of the health of the children. When the matter was referred to the secretary of the Education Board, Mr E ('. Purdie replied that the practice was indulged in by both country and town schools. He was not awaie that the Health Department had drawn at-

tout ion to the matter. It was a matter that presented considerable dil.iculty if the distribution of pencils in schools wore to he continued. Il the practice were stopped it would ha\e the effect of scholars bringing their own pencils, mul pmbnlil.v sonic parents would resent that. He would have enquiries made il) connexion with the

matter. Mr Burdie remarked that the attendances at the various schools were well up to normal for this time of the year, and as far as he had been able to ascertain there had not been any lalling off through diphtheria either in the country or town schools.