PERIL TO HEALTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1922, Page 5

PERIL TO HEALTH.

TOLL OF CONSUMPTION.

A DOCTOR SPEAKS OUT. INACTIVITY DEPLORED. ——i By Telegraph.—'Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. “If New Zealand legislators could be compelled to eit in the tuberculosis dispensary with me day by day for a few weeks and listen, as I have to listen, to the despairing words of heartbroken fathers, mothers, husbands and wives, and watch their tears flow as I have to watch them, something definite and active might be done to rid the community of the terrible scourge of consumption.” This passage occurred in the annual report of Dr. G. J. Blackmore, medical director of the North Canterbury Hospital Board’s tuberculosis institutions, received by the board at its meeting to-day. The director took the opportunity to make a forcible and stirring appeal for more wirespread and thorough treatment of consumption in New Zealand. Cashmere Sanatorium,” stated Dr. Blftekmore, “has now been open twelve years, and as regards the campaign against consumption in New Zealand generally it is very discouraging to have to record that no real progress has been made. Such measures as are being taken are being carried out in piecemeal and consequently inefficient fashion. There is no defined national policy, no uniform and universal sdheme for dealing with tuberculosis in New Zealand, and until this is adopted no real progress will be made. “Your board Ws spent much money in trying to deal adequately with consumptives within its borders, but of what avail is it to have expensive buildings in which to treat consumptives, who can be cured, and to segregate those who canriot, when the board’s district is surrounded by other districts in which no measures whatever are being taken, and whose consumptives can pass freely into this district at their own will and pleasure ? In trying, under existing conditions, to eradicate consumptives from North Canterbury your board has undertaken the task of Sisyphus, and with about as much chance of success as he had. “Much activity has recently been shown in connection with the problematical entry of bubonic plague into New Zealand, but this other plague is allowed to stalk almost unchecked through the country, slaying hundreds and maiming probably five times as many as it kills year after year. The apathy, both public and official, in connection with this disease is tragic and almost incredible. Conferences have been held, resolutions passed and promises made, and there the effort has ended. Consumption will never he eradicated from New Zealand unless something in the nature of a defined and active policy is initiated.”

The board held over the report for consideration at its next meeting.