DRESS & TUBERCULOSIS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1926, Page 4

DRESS & TUBERCULOSIS

AN ASHBURTON CONTROVERSY. [BY TEJ/EGRATII —rER PRESS ASSOCIATION. ASHBURTON. Jan. 11. The <|Ucstion whether the wearing of .short skirts and low weeks had any bearing on the increase of tuberculosis among young people was raised at the hist meeting of the Hospital Hoard, which referred the unit ter to the Alcdical Superintendent (Dr If. S. Billcliff). and the matron (Aliss K. .1. Watt) for report. Dr Billcliff replied as follows in bis report to the Board at its meeting today : Tn reply to the lion id’s resolution asking for a report for publication on the possible influence of modern female attire on the incidence of tuberculosis. I maintain that such a report, .’if published, would possibly cause friction with the Department of Public Health, whose function and duty it is to impart to the public advice on swell matters. 1 have already summitted to the hoard a full report on the whole question. incidentally mentioning the question of attire

among the minor contributing factors, but I feel that if the hoard requires anythin" further for publication the question would he host reported to the Department of Public- Health. During the meeting a letter was received from .Mr 0. AY. Campbell (of AA'aimate) suggesting that T.B. should he fought by introducing examination and preventive measures in the schools. Tt was decided to reply that the hoard was actively engaged fighting T.B. Arising out of the matter mentioned above the ‘‘Guardian’’ has published a series of letters in reference to the conditions at the hospital. Referring to the correspondence at the meeting this morning, the chairman (Afr AA’. T. Bill) said: “As chairman of the hoard, f absolutely refused to take any notice of these letters.” Mr Bill moved the following resolutions, which were seconded by Messrs 0. S. Hardy and AV. Bryant respectively, and carried linnuiYnously: “I hat this Board will welcome incpiiry from ratepayers or other.s bona lide interested in the welfare of the Public Hospital who are prepared to disclose their names 'in the public press, or in a communication to the hoard, and will give them ample evidence ot the excellent- general manage-

ment of the institution; but records its determination to disregard the criticism of those who desire to criticise and reflect upon the efficiency of the medical superintendent, matron and secretary under the cloak of anonymity.” "I hat this hoard will welcome an enquiry into the attack on the admin-

istration of the medical .superintendent. and matron in relation to mattei.s which had already been investigated and found to he without reflection on their administration, and un-

animously expresses its entire confidence in them, and records the fact that in the opinion of the hoard the Public Hospital has never been more efficiently conducted than under the present medical superintendent, matroll and socretnrv. ’’

There was no further discussion on the matter.