PREVENTION OF SPREAD OF CANCER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1680, 1 March 1917, Page 4

PREVENTION OF SPREAD OF CANCER.

To the various Hospital ami Charitable Aid Boards of the Dominion, the Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr. Valintine) has issued the following circular letter; (< I have the honour, by direction of the Hon, the Minister of Public Health, to invite the co-operation of your board with the Department with a view to disseminate knowledge as to the best means of preventing the spread of cancer in the Dominion. According to last year’s statistics, no less than IjOU deaths were recorded from this disease, the highest yet recorded in the Dominion. Though the increase of this disease may be more apparent than real, there is no doubt there is a need for co-operation of the Hospital Boards of the Dominion with the medical profession and the Department, with a view to stem the ever-increasing mortality. It is, therefore, necessary to draw the attention of the public, as is the case with other forms of disease Avhich are to some extent preventable, to the fact that the hospitals of the Dominion and the out-patients departments attached thereto are ever open to the public for the purpose of consultation and advice as well as for treatment. Many a case of this terrible disease could have been prevented had it but been taken in time, and if the public will only take advantage of the excellent institutions which are now available in all parts of the Dominion for the above purpose, it may be possible to bring about a diminution in the death rate from, cancer and other diseases which are more or less preventable. In addition to the dissemination of the literature prepared by the Department in conjunction with, the British Medical Association, I trust every member of your board will do all that lies in his power to draw the attention of the public to the fact that the doors of our institutions are ever open for consultation and advice, and, as already indicated, for treatment, and to the fact that no person need be deterred by lack of means from seeking the advantages of the institutions referred to. Those who are not in a position to pay the ordinary fees will receive free advice and treatment. Your board might also consider the appointment of suitable men to give lectures on this subject in your district.’'