TUBERCULOSIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1923, Page 4

TUBERCULOSIS.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S VIEW. WELLINGTON, -Marcli '-'0 In reply to a resolution passed by Hospital hoards on the subject ol tho entnpul.xury detention ol persons suliernig from tuberculosis in its curable singes, the Department of Health has replied staling 1 lint this is a matter which has not been attempted in any civilised country. One laid only to remember the number of people who nave done great tilings in the world while sulfnrine from consumption to realise how serious a matter it would be to interfere too far with their liberty. Under such circumstances segregation would be a cruel procedure, as. with simple precautions, consumption m a disease not rapidly transmitter to others. In eases ol deliberate neglect, the .Medical Oflieer of llelath had ample statutory powers to interlore. It is estimated that there were 111,(101) persons in the Dominion suffering iriini consumption in its various 'lages, and to segregate them would cost at least a million pounds per annum. Only about one-iilth ol that trial had received treatment ill a sanatorium. Another thing, it would lie 111 !jte iiiireasiumlile to insist on the , ;; <m of persons suffering from disease ol lon infectivity. sticli as l 111,,.] eul". v, lien per-ons siilfering from more emu mu u i'-a Mr venereal diseases are permit led to go free. Experience lias .liouii tital the pievalmiee ol fttbereiilosi- in Sen Xenia ml is lessrii--111 • each decade, and tin's: lias also been leuiiil ic Hie ca:,e in oilier Engli-h----•-peat.im.; eomnnmities. due, no doubt. to improved social emidl l inti- generally Tin De])art iilioil einild not: advise the adopt ion of a v ery expensive mea-,lll-e -m il as-sligge-leil which, if given cH'i-c! In, would be harsh and rcstrictiv,,, sufferers from eoiisiimption, • i,| ~| very doubtful value to the rest ul the community, fn regard fo tv mill; supply, the Department tonic all possible steps 1,, guard this, and was prepared to take drastic action incases r, here it is reported a person sufferin'? from this disease is engaged ill handling mill;.