PREVENTION OF T.B.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1928, Page 4

PREVENTION OF T.B.

LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS. WELLINGTON, July 27. The report of the, committee set up by the Minister of Health to investigate the prevention of tuberculosis and the accommodation of patients was presented to Parliament by the Minister this afternoon. The committee makes the following recommendations: — (1) That a Division of Tuberculosis be established in the Health Department, and that a director of this division be appointed. (2) That hospital boards should be encouraged to establish tuberculosis dispensaries. ' (3) That the routine of tuberculin 1 in sanatoria be discouraged. (!) That the medical superintendents of sanatoria be urged to admit all eases that would be likely to benefit. to) That the stay of minimal cases should not, as now, be unduly prolonged. (6) That the accommodation at Otaki Sanatorium be increased. (7) That extra accommodation be provided for chronic cases in the special hospitals at Dunedin, AAellingtcn, Christchurch, and Auckland. (8) That sufficient accommodation for tuberculosis cases he reserved at the general hospitals in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland for the benefit of patients; and to afford medical practitioners and medical students opportunities for studying these diseases. <S) That the medical profession bo qncouraged to co-operate with local nuthorites, the Department of Health a lid voluntary aim associations in their efforts to control the disease. (10) That the Otago Hospital Board be encouraged to join with the associated boards to form one association. (11) That the; hospital boards in tbe South Island north of Ashburton he encouraged to form an association, with a committee representative of each district. (12) That specially trained nurses be employed fur inspection. (13) That the establishment of vol■.ntarr did committees be encouraged. REPORT CRITICISED. CHRISTCHURCH, July 29. Dr Blackmore, Director of the Tub- • erculosis Institute of the Christchurch , Hospital Board, Buds some fault with j

the Tuberculosis Commission’s report. He defends the use of the tuberculin treatment. He says that he has been using this treatment for thirty-five years, and that he knows no authority who lias mastered the technique of the treatment who does not believe in its efficiency. 11l Ill's opinion, although tuberculin is not a cure for consumption, it has a marked effect on the disease, and has a 'iiyJoiind influence in helping to prevent a relapse. ~>r Blackmore is satisfied with the recommendation as to the provision of more beds at the Cashmere Sanatorium, as that was his own recommendation years ago, the attitude of the Department having been always that such accommodation was not required. Xoi does lie believe ill the proposed centra 1 control by the office of the Department preferring the present organisation winch, being by representative bodies means that the boards help to keep alive the public interest in the tuberculosis danger. He questions the advisability find efficiency of home treatment of tuberculosis, as suggested, urging that sanatorium treatment is preferable from every point of view.