T.B. in Australia .

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1923, Page 1

T.B. in Australia .

GOXTUOYKRSY OYER TRKATM EXT. SYDNEY, Fob. E The treatment of tuberculosis mid llio question of the possible s|>road oi the scourge have recently boon Uie can si* oi mucli discussion in Australia. There has been much talk of ihe Fpaldinger treatuieni. aiul it lias linn licon arranged (lint, this method will bo investigated oil behali oi Australia bv a iiroininont medical men who i -i leaving soon foi a trip to Europe. The assert uni that ilm : kui ei action enjoyed by tnbereiilosi- sufferers constitutes a lnemme to the eorninunity anil that a more rigid supervision and quarantining ot T.II. patients is necessary has called forth a bitter protest from many of tho patients, particularly from the men wlm eontraeted the disease, whilst on active service. li is argued hv these men that the disease is not one spread by infection or contagion. lint is contracted through unhealthy living conditions*. Their own cases.they claim, are illustrative of this. Thi- dirt. p»**r nourishment, and exposure to severest matic extremes which trench warfare meant resulted in manv eases oi tindread disease. Further, tlie\ claim that medical re -eaivii has proved the truth of their argument. In barely live per cent of the eases enquired into of the marriages of tubercular people had the disese been contracted by the oilier party, and then it was by no means certain that husband and wile bad not fallen victims to the disease through subjection to the same unhealthy living conditions. A leading doctor declares that the fault lies mainly with the public. If a man was found to be tubercular lie was hounded out of every-day life. Ho advocated the establishment of recognised and properly com] tic ted sanatoria. Such institutions provided absolutely no danger k> the surrounding residents. On the other hand, forcing patients into the o* dinarv hotels ami hoarding house.-, where they were frightened to take the proper precautions, might be a distinct danger to their fellows. The concern in ihe matter is likely j to lend to early action by the Government. !