OUR SOLDIERS’ HEALTH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 62, 13 July 1915, Page 6

OUR SOLDIERS’ HEALTH.

THE TRENTHAM CAMP.

Per Press Association

Wellington, July 12

The Minister for Defence (the Hon. J. Allen) and the Minister in charge of the Military Hospitals (the Hon. R. H. Rhodes) are still waiting for the reports of experts before stating what is the nature of the outbreak that led to the sudden decision to abandon Trentham camp. The Ministers stated yesterday that they had no further information on the point. They deprecated the startling reports that have been in circulation, but had no precise information to impart. It is stated that the abandonment of the camp followed the report of the doctors on a post-mortem .examination held on tire body of one of the soldiers who died last week. The bacteriologists are now working on “cultures,’* with the object of discovering precisely what malady has spread among the troops. The official statements. it is noticed, deal still with measles and influenza, only the authorities do not deny the existence of some other and more serious disease among the soldiers. , Various statements are made on doubtful aucboiity, regarding the of the illness. Dengue fever has been mentioned, but so far there is nothing but mere nuncur to gon on.

DOCTORS AND MINISTERS.

Wellington, July 13

A deputation representing the Wellington Branch of the British Medical Association waited upon lions. James Allen■ (Minister of Dpfehco. )jitid R. H. Rhodes 'Minister' for Health) this afternoon, to seek information and make suggestions with regard ,'to the treatment of sick soldiers in camp and the wounded on their return 'from the front. The deputation comprised l)rs., Elliott (president), Gibbs, Christie, and Giesen. After some considerable discussion, the Hon. R. H. Rhodes , said -th.it with regard to securing the services of tho doctors as an organised body he would be glad if they would meet the head of the Public Health, Department and consult with him mine matter. Turning to the question of 1 the invalided soldiers, Mr Rhodes said that it was assumed that most of the men would he sufficiently recovered, to be aide to proceed to tbeir own homes.’ The relatives, in nearly every case, had signified a desire to receive the men at once. Hosp’tnl accommodation would be ready for men who still required treatment. Wellington was, perhaps worse off than other places in this respect, but beds would he available for men who needed them. With regard to invalids whose relatives resided outside New Zealand, convalescent homes v < u 1 1 bo provided., The kiosk at Oriental Bay had been prepared, and he had received an offer of the use of Kelbnrn kiosk.. Military medical officers in the different districts would be asked to look after the men.