FOOD POISONING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 November 1939, Page 6

FOOD POISONING

THIRTY-EIGHT SOLDIERS SENT TO HOSPITAL. TAINTED MEAT SUSPECTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 19. Thirty-eight members of the second Now Zealand division now in camp at Papakura were sent to hospital on Saturday suffering from food-poison-ing. Three wore affected while on leave and were taken to Auckland Hospital, being joined there by two of those still at Papakura, while the I remainder were treated at the camp I hospital. The food eaten at the midday mess is blamed for the poisoning, though it is not yet certain which portion of the menu was at fault. Samples were taken of everything served, and, after being received by Dr Hubert Smith, medical officer of health for the Health Department in Auckland, were sent to Auckland Hospital for analysis. The results of the tests are not known. It is stated that the troops were given a choice of hot mutton and beef and cold corned beef, with potatoes and cabbage for vegetables and tapioca for a sweet. The corned beef was left over from the Friday night mess, and it is suspected that some of it became tainted, specially since the store where it was kept is not fitted with a refrigerator and the weather was hot I and close. I Of the troops affected. 16 belonged to A Company. 18th (Auckland) Battalion, and the remainder were spread among the other companies and units. At least six of the guard for the day also suffered poisoning. The three on leave who were taken to Auckland Hospital did not feci the effects of the poisoning till after they reached the city. One was found crouched oh the doorstep of a suburban house and was in considerable pain. The two brought into the city from the camp were more seriously affected than the rest, who were kept in the camp hospital for the night and discharged for duty today. It was officially stated that the poisoning was not in a severe form, j Full steps were being taken to ensure that there would be no repetition o> the occurrence.