CHRISTMAS SEAL.

Shannon News, 15 November 1929, Page 4

CHRISTMAS SEAL.

TO STAMP OUT TUBERCULOSIS In order to grapple satisfactorily with the problem of tuberculosis, it is necessary for the State to begin with the child, who provides the primary occasion of infection, •and the ideal opportunity of treatment. —Sir George Newman, Principal Medical Officer, British Ministry of Health.

While tuberculosis remains one of | the principal national scourges, it is important to recognise that it is steadily declining. The fall in the mortal-, ity of tuberculosis (all forms) in NewZealand i 3 set out clearly in the following ten-yearly figures:—Death rate from tubercuilosis per 10,000 of mean population,: 1878, 12.20; 1888, 10.69; 1898, 10.44; 1908, 8.89; 1918. 7.54; 1925, 5.02. Past history of the decline of this disease, says Sir George Newman, is not only full of encouragement as regards its relative conquest, but also, of instruction as to the factors which have played a chief part in its defeat. First among these is the increase in the powers of resistance of the individual by soumd nutrition, the practice of hygiene, and the immunisation of the people. Social amelioration and cheap food have played an important part. Secondly, there has been an improved practice in prevention of the spread of infection from the-diseased to the healthy, and by the control of tuberculous milk or meat. The third line of defence is the care of the general health, including improved housing, less overcrowding, industrial'welfare, the open-air life, and adequate infant and child welfare service.

Fourthly, there is the education of the people in the practice of health and

the formation of sound habits of hygietne. '" " " "'"'""" "' Lastly, there is the direct attack by particular methods on this particular disease, uametfy —(1) prompt and earlynotification; (2) domiciliary and dispensary treatment; (3) the sanatorium; (.4.) the. hospital; (5) the village settlement; and ((5; proper and effectual means of after-care. ' < CONTKACTED IN Ci JTI.DH OOD.''

In New Zealand, as we h.ive already see)), the death rate from tuberculosis has fallen lvniarkably in the but forty years, uii'til to-day the mortality from this disease is lower probably -tha-u in any other part of the world. Tin-re' is, however, a great deal of improvement to be effected, and the present is tho time, when the disease is not so prevalent as formerly, that offers the best opportunity for grappling with it Intensive measures can now be applied with every chance of making a fuller material reduction in the incidence of. the disease".'.. .

Sir Robert Philip, who is probably the most'eminent authority to-day, and who has made the prevention and cure of tuberculosis his life work, points out that the infant is seldom born tuberculous, and that infection is for the most , part contracted in childhood. Childhood is, then, the period to which our attention, should be particularly directed, and for this reason-it is to be hoped the public will support the endeavour to raise funds by means of the Christmas Seal. Ihe Christmas Seal is \a combined postage and anti-tuberculo-!sis .stamp. The words ''Help to Stamp 'out Tuberculosis" appear on the stamp as an indication of the purpose, to which the proceeds will be applied. The Christmas Seal will be available for use in ithe course of a few weeks —in time for most Christmas correspondence. ,