TYPHOID FEVER AT THE COLLEGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4783, 21 July 1876, Page 2

TYPHOID FEVER AT THE COLLEGE.

A special meeting of the College Governors was held yesterday afternoon, to take into consideration the case of typhoid fever which had occurred in the College, and to which the attention of the public had been drawn through a letter in the New Zealand Times from Dr. Diver. The governors present were :—The DeputySuperintendent, the Mayor, Mr. Brandon, Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Waring Taylor ; as also Dr, Doyle, and the principal, Mr. Wilson, The following resolution was unanimously agreed to : —“ That having read and considered the various certificates of Drs. Grace, Harding, Kemp,, and Newman, and further listened to a statement from Dr. Doyle, ‘ That in his opinion, the special case of illness under consideration had not been contracted in the College,’ the governors are of opinion that there is no necessity for closing the College.” The certificates mentioned above are as follows : Wellington, July 19, 1876. “ I certify that I have carefully examined the College buildings, with an eye to the case of fever now under treatment there,, and I do not think there is any more danger of the pupils catching the fever than there would be it they absented themselves. “ Typhoid is a drain and sewerage fever essentially, and with the precautions taken, in the way of isolation and otherwise, will not, in my opinion, spread from the case. Whether cases of typhoid arising from other causes may occur or not I cannot say. “ Morgan S, Grace, M.D.” “Wellington, 19th July, 1876. “ I have this day carefully examined the college buildings in reference to the case of typhoid fever now being treated there, and, in my opinion, from the part of the building occupied by the patient, as well as the sanitary precautions adopted by the medical attendant, thore is no fear of the disease spreading. “ In a solitary case of typhoid fever occurring in an institution where there is every facility for isolation, I do not think a medical prsilfitioner would'be justified in suspending the work of the establishment. “Robert Harding, L.R.C.P.E., &o.” Wellington, July 18, 1876. “Dear Doyle, — l have seen the lad now ill in the Wellington College with typhoid fever, not professionally, but as a friend. “ I have not examined the water supply or the sewerage, but, if both are right, the ap. pearance of a case of typhoid fever among a number of boys is no reason why the others ■ should be sent home. As the lad is in a wing far away from the other boys, and is attended by a special nurse, there is no chance of the other boys getting it. You remember,

- doubtless, that at Home cases of typhoid fever are admitted into general hospitals, even into ■wards containing many children—yet none catch it. Other fevers are vigorously shut out from these wards. “ The public confound all cases of fever, and ■ never distinguish those that are * catching from those that are not. «Provided the drainage and water supply are in perfect working order, the removal of the boys is wholly unnecessary, they are as safe at the college as at home. “A small cottage hospital, containing only three rooms, might be built m a corner of the grounds at a very small cost. The interruptions of studies and anxieties of parents would then cease. « Alfred K. Newman, M. 8., & M.B.C.P. “ The Terrace, July 20, 1876 “ Dear Dotle, —I cannot possibly visit the College to-day before the meeting of the governors. I have, however, read the reports of Drs. Grace, Harding, and Newman, and from facts stated by then), I consider that there is no danger in allowing the other pupils to attend as usual at the College. “ As long as strict isolation is kept, no more can be done, though the same cause which gave it to the boy now ill may cause others to, take it. ■' „ “ W. G. Kemp.