Tuberculosis accommodation

Tomorrow, at Christchurch, the Hon. Mr Russell will meet the hospital boards of the northern portion of the South Island, with a view to discussing the question of tuberculosis and the provision of adequate accommodation for consumptives. ‘‘To my mind,’’ says the Minister, ‘‘the question naturally resolves itself into two phases. The first is the treatment of curable diseases, and it appears to me that an organisation will have to be set up which will secure that those who are affected by the dread complaint, known as the ‘white scourge’, may be,

at the earliest possible date, placed under treatment for the benefit of themselves and the people of the dominion. Emphatically, the early treatment is of the utmost importance. The second phase is that which deals with those who, unfortunately, are beyond cure. The managers of the institutions are strongly opposed to the retention within the homes of incurable cases, and this raises a problem as to what is to be done with these unfortunate people. To remove them from the institutions means returning them, in many cases, to their homes to die a lingering and painful death, and possibly to be the means of spreading the infection. Exactly how this problem is to be dealt with has not yet been fully determined upon. I am of opinion, however, that the ultimate outcome must be the erection of buildings for incurable consumptive cases, where their last days may be made as happy and peaceable as possible, and where they will cease to be a danger to their families and the

remainder of the community.’’