TYPHOID IN MAORI PA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2342, 15 October 1921, Page 2

TYPHOID IN MAORI PA.

THE recent outbreak of typhoid fever in a Maori pa at Muhunon, near Levin, wrongly diagnosed as influenza, caused quite a scare throughout the Manawatu. We believe a layman first gave out the information that a number of Maoris were down with influenza, and the matter was at once reported to the Health authorities at Wellington, and one of the Department’s medical oflieers, presumably on the strength of a hasty diagnosis of the complications, confirmed the layman’s report. Before a more careful diagnoses took place, the district hospital authorities, who'are responsible for the expenditure to combat local epidemics, proceeded, with praiseworthy expedition, to segregate the patients in a temporary canvas hospital on the spot, and provide nurses, etc. The weather was atrocious, and the Maoris were considerably perturbed by what appeared to them the interference of the pakeha. The bustle and hurried arrangements and equipment, however, were hardly ready when the true state of things was discovered, and the temporary hospital arrangements abandoned. Possibly the Health Department will meet whatever expense has been incurred during the panic. In any case, (his outbi\ak points to the necessity for a periodical inspection of Maori pas along this coast by the Health inspectors, and the danger to the health of Maori and pakeha by insanitary surroundings carefully explained, and these conditions removed. The Maoris in this district are not paupers, and can well afford to put their settlements in order, and what is more, should be compelled to do so. Many minor diseases among them could be avoided if a little more attention was given to them by the health inspectors. Aii attempt should be made to enlighten the Maoris on the laws of health, in view of the fact that the Maoris move about among our people in the towns, and their children attend our schools. We hope the Department will give this matter attention. in the meantime we pass these suggestions on to Messrs Field and Newman, M’s.P., who will probably look closer into the matter.