CHOREAS HEALTH

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1921, Page 5

CHOREAS HEALTH

INFECTIOUS DISEASES. PREVALENCE IN NORTH TARANAKI. MANY CASES FROM COUNTRY. The prevalence of numerous cases of infectious diseases and other ailments among children, particularly in the country districts, was commented on by a deputation from the Taranaki Hospital Board, which waited on the Taranaki Education Board yesterday to discuss the problem of the young people’s health. It was stated during the discussion that for the last three months the average number of children in the New Plymouth Hospital has been from 45 to 50 per month. The position as viewed by the Hospital Board was put forward by a deputation consisting of Messrs. M. Fraser (chairman), S. Vickers and J. Young. They were also accompanied by the secretary of the board (Mr. E. Holden).

The first Speaker on behalf of the deputation was Mr. Fraser. Their object, he said, was to see if any means could be devised of lessening the very large number of inf.eetiotis diseases that were being brought into hospital at the present time, and which came largely trom the board’s schools. “We are not coming in any fault-finding spirit,” he said, “but rather to try and get some light oil the trouble that exists.”

The number of infectious diseases that was being treated in hospital was becoming rather alarming. Mr. Fraser said. The average number of all patients in hospital during the last three months was about 100 per month, and in that period the number of children in hospital had never been less than between 45 and 50. They were chiefly of school age, and the Hospital Board had therefore come to the conclusion that possibly the board could give some information as to the experiences regarding the health of children in schools. WQiy they had become more alarmed than usual was that the epidemic of scarlet fever which was prevalent had taken more severe proportions. There Were no less than 16 children now in the isolation ward, and ten were from a school in New Plymouth—-Fitzroy. DANGER OF OVERCROWDING. It was not for the Hospital Board to dictate in these matters, but it was re* ported that when the school was closed (after three cases had developed), the other children, who were all contacts, Went to a picture entertainment, with the result that some fifteen cases had developed. Ten of these Wetc in hospital. At the present time’ the disease was in a mild form, but medical experience was that they must not take any advantage of this feature. At any time the disease might develop iti :i more malignant form. It was' considered, too, by health authorities, that the overcrowding of children in schools rendered them more liable to this disease, and that if one ease occurred in a school it was. almost impossible to say how many eases might follow. When the Hospital Board saw how many infectious diseases were being admitted it became their duty to use every effort to lessen the number. Infectious diseases were very much more serious to the hospital than the ordinary case of illness. They occupied the attention of a number of nurses who were always liable to catch the disease, and this weakened the nursing staff. A report made by the medical superintendent, Dr. Walker, as already published. was read by Mr. Fraser, the figures showing that the greater proportion of cases came from the country districts. This was a fact which had surprised the board, as previously they were under the impression that the cases had come largely from the town, and that they might be due to the facu that the drainage and. sanitation in New Plymouth was not what it ought to be. It was plain from the superintendents figures, however, that most cases were among country children. ■ WATER AT SCHOOLS. Supporting Mr. Fraser’s remarks, Mr. Vickers said the subject was one that concerned the Hospital Board a good deal. There was a cause somewhere, and they should eo-oporatc in finding the remedy. So far the reports threw no light on the sources or the illnesses. It had been disappointing to country people to find that the majority of the eases were from the country districts. However, Taranaki was not alone in this respect. The latest monthly figures showed that of 58 cases of diphtheria il» Auckland. 19 Were from the city and suburbs, and 39 came from the country districts. In 54 cases of scarlet fever, the proportion was 23 and 31 respective! V. This seemed to indicate that there was a source of infection in the country which did not exist in the town. Continuing, Mr. Vickers stated that in discussing the matter previously, he had mentioned what he thought was probably a source of infection at the schools, namely, the water tanks. it Was disquieting to find that there were such a large number of children suffering from septic throats, enlarged tonsils, adenoids, et'e., and he was convinced that these complaints did not exist among children in the country until they started to attend the schools. In in>uv eases water supplied to school children was not what it should be in the summer months. In making this statement, however, he did not wish to reflect on the school committees or on the management. He pointed out: that education had now been under Gdvetnment control for 43 years, and while • >m.it strides had been made >n the matter of providing accommodation during that time, the provision for water supply had remained the same. Mi . A iek ers Urged that efforts bo made to supply purer drinking water at the schools. P 'Mr Young supported the previous .peakers, and advocated that the board procure a report as to the condibon of tanks and the state of drinking water at the schools. A difficult problem. Replying, the chairman of the Education‘Bonn! (Mr. P. .1. H. White) said they were pleased to meet the deputation and tf> hear their views. This matter Had been exercising the minds of himself and fellow members fer a Coiisldetable time. They were at a loss to know just why there were so many cases of scarlet lever at the present 'time. He agreed that once the infection was started the crowded condition of wmt of the schools—for which .ho

board was in no way responsible—-tend-ed to increase the danger of spreading the disease. Possibly the drinking water at the schools was not of the best, but this was a difficult matter to handle in the country. In regard to the statement that no effort had been made towards improving the water supply facilities, Mr. White said this had no foundation at all, and he pointed out that at all the recently-built schools concrete tanks with filtering arrangements and other improvements were being installed. In respect to the Fitzroy School, which had possibly given rise to the discussion at the board meeting, he had taken steps to secure a report from Dr. Walker before the matter was- mentioned by the board. His board were willing and anxious to back up anything the Hospital Board might do, or to co-operate in any united action that could be suggested. WOPvK OF DR. G-UNN. Another aspect mentioned by Mr. White was that the schools’ medical officer was making regular inspections, and it was probably due to her influence that certain of the cases were sent to hospital for treatment. The senior inspector (Mr. J. A. Valintine): That is undoubted.

Mr. White said he was glad to say that Dr. Gunn was receiving increasing support from parents, and they were beginning to realise now that it more satisfactory from the Standpoint of health to pay attention to Dr. Gunn's advice as to how ailments among the children should be treated.

Mr. IL Trimble pointed out that the board did not receive the reports officially which were made by the medical officer on her visits to the schools. He desired this to be made clear, as -some people imagined that the board were handed the reports and should art on them. Mr. Trimble said one would think the hospital was only ror an ornament from the remarks made by members of the Hospital Board at their meetings. lie considered, however, that the hospital was an institution for the treatment of all people who needed attention. If the hospital was not big enough it should be enlarged. Mr. Trimble pointed out that the towns were always more favorably situated than the country as regards drainage. Consequently, it was not to be expected that the country cases -would be lower than j the town. SCHOOL INSPECTOR’S VIEW'S. The senior inspector isaid that he was pleased to note the presence o-f the deputation, as it indicated they took an interest in the health of the children. In regard to their remarks about the drinking water in the- schools, ’Mr. Valintine quoted the opinion of the chief medical officer of New South Wales to show that diphtheria was certainly -not carried by drinking water. These diseases, according to that officer’s opinion, were not school diseases, but home and family diseases. On this authority, also, the closing of the schools was not now to be regarded as a means of preventing infection, with the exception of cases of influenza. ’Mr. Valintine said ! lie had no doubt that the deputation’s I remarks would have a beneficial effect, as they would cause TJiquiry as to whether the school tanks were’ as well kept as they might be. He pointed out that if the board desired to further test the question of infection from drinking water, they should pick out the district which produced the most cases and take samples of the water for analysis at the Government laboratory. These tests could be made in respect to every district, but he ventured to say that it would be founfl the water was not the source of the infection.

Touching on Mr. Trimble’s remarks, Mr. Fraser said that though the hospital was built for the treatment of the public, those in charge of the administration of the institution did not want any patients there if the origin of tfie disease could be prevented, and nearly all diseases were preventable. The crowding together of children was a great factor in the spreading of thesje diseases, as the children came in close contact with each other. Quoting from authorities on the health of children, Mr. Fraser advocated more open-air schools. He said that of all the cases o-f infection they had treated in the last nine months, in not one instance had the source of the disease been reported to the board. “Such is the usefulness of health inspection,” said Mr. Fraser. Before retiring, Mr. Fraser returned thanks for the patient hearing accorded the deputation, and in reply the chairman said he had no doubt that the publicity which had been given to the subject by the deputation would result ir< still more thought being devoted to the question. CONDITIONS AT FITZROY. At a later stage in the meeting the following report from Dr. Walker on the conditions at Fitzroy was considered by the board:— “At the request of your chairman I visited the Fitzroy School on September 22. at 1.10 p.m., just after school had been opened for the afternoon session. With the exception of the classroom for standards 5 and 6 all the rooms were overcrowded. In the room -for standards 3 and 4 the result of this was obvious in a foul and offensive condition of the atmosphere. This was the more noteworthy as the class had only been opened for fifteen minutes, and all the six windows of the room were open top and bottom. I shudder to think what the condition would be after a room had been longer in occupancy, or if from weather conditions the windows had to be closed. This room, with « floor area for 54 pupils, accommodated B 6 out of a roll of 69 at the time of my visit. In this room not only are the windows too high from the floor, but there is no provision for proper cross ventilation. In the room for standards 1 and 2 there were 64 children out of a roll of 77, occupying the space normally provided for 54. Thu room was, however, fresh and with a pure atmosphere, due to the fact that all windows were opened and the weather conditions permitted cross ventilation. When a breakwater wind prevails it is not possible to have the windows on the western side open, and the atmosphere consequently suffers. The room rfor infant classes showed marked overcrowding. There were 84 children present out of a roll of 102, and occupied the space normally provided for 61 children. In many cases three children were accommodated at desks provided for only two children, and the disadvantage of this is obvious from the health point of view. NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT. “In three classrooms 214 children were occupying the flooi space provided for 169. At the time o-f my visit there were 34 absentees, so that the need of further accommodation is obvious. In : three of the four rooms the windows j are much too high from the floor, and I this interferes with efficient ventilation. I am of opinion that the conditions present in this school are a menace to the health ox w"-® children, and feel strongly c.cromtroda-

tion should be provided as soon as possible. I understand that the gymnasium is to be altered and used as a classroom. This room is at present most unattractive for the purpose stated. It is to be hoped that the use of this will be only a very temporary expedient, and that the alterations proposed will include ample provision for lighting as well as ventilation. One fully realises the financial stringency of the present time, but where the health of the children is at stake, and its importance to the whole life of the individual is considered, it may be false economy ro limit expenditure in cases wnerc m normal times a free grant would be. readily allowed.” It was decided to forward a copy ot the medical report to the Education Department, ft was reported that negotiations for the fitting up of tne gymnasium as a classroom had ifot come to finality yet, but it was hoped* that the board would receive the grant of £2:for which application had been, made