11

H.—l9.i

It will be noticed that myalgia (226) and rheumatism (188) constituted by far the largest number of rejections, although defects of the lower extremities account also for a large proportion. Diseases of the nervous system and weakness of intellect are also important causes. The whole subject of physical defects will be noted more fully in another paper. Causes of Rejection. Syphilis . . . . . . . . 13 Diseases of the. thyroid glands . . . . 16 Tubercle of lung . . . . . . 45 Diseases of the urinary system .. .. 11 Rheumatism . . . . .. . . 188 Varicocele .. . . . . . . 85 Debility .. .. . . .. 124 Other diseases of the generative system .. 29 Other general diseases . . .. .. 213 Flat feet .. .. .. .. 58 Diseases of the nervous system .. .. 211 Myalgia .. . . . . . . 226 Diseases of the eye . . . . . . 107 Deformed feet . . . . . . 61 Diseases of the ear . . . . . . 1.14 Other diseases of the. organs of locomotion 88 Diseases of the nose .. .. .. 11 Diseases of the skin .. .. .. 19 Valvular disease of the heart . . . . 32 Defects of the upper and lower extremities 304 Disordered action of the heart . . .. 56 Sunstroke . . . . .. . . 1 Diseases of the veins (varix) . . .. 80 Poison (narcotic) .. .. . . 1 Diseases of the respiratory system .. 89 —— Hernia .. .. .. .. 96 Total .. .. .. 2,440 Other diseases of the digestive system . . 162

CHAMBERS FOR INHALATION TREATMENT, MILITARY BASK HOSPITAL. On the 12th September the treatment by a steam vaporizer for sore throats and meningococcus and diphtheria carriers was instituted. At first the only machine available, an old-fashioned Lister spray, was used, and cases treated with this machine showed conclusively that the treatment was almost a real specific, and warranted a more efficient apparatus. On the 22nd September a new machine, capacity 80 oz., was procured, and the results since obtained show that it has been of great value in dealing with the epidemics of sore throats and clearing up carriers of the meningococcus and bacillus diphtherias. Up to the 31st December, 1916, in all, 1,879 cases were treated in the iuhalatorium at Trentham; of these, 1,613 were sore throats and colds, 261 were suspected carriers of meningococcus in Classes I and 11, and 5 were diphtheria-carriers. In addition to this all (he hospital wards were visited with the machine, but the difficulty of securing a properly saturated atmosphere in a ward probably interfered with the efficacy of the treatment; at the same time, all carriers who were discovered in the wards were effectually cleared up.

Sore Throats. —Of 1,613 eases treated, 1,401 were discharged from sick-parade as cured, 104 were improved, while no change was observed in 108 cases. All of the men shown as improved in return were afterwards discharged as cured at the completion of treatment, whereas of the 108 men shown as "no change " many were afterwards sent to hospital with influenza. The zinc sulph. treatment did not seem to be particularly effective in eases of influenza, anil towards the latter part of the year' these cases were not put through the chamber. Cerebrospinal Meningitis and Diphtheria, Carriers. —In order to cope with the increase of eerebro-spinal fever a system of parades for throat-inspection was adopted in September, and swabs were taken from the naso-pharynx of every man in camp. The camp Permanent Staff were swabbed once and each Reinforcement twice —once on entering camp as recruits and again just prior to embarkation. On bacteriological examination all carriers in Classes I and II were immediately placed m an isolation camp set aside for the purpose, and while there were treated twice daily in the inhalatorium until further examination proved them to be free. No man was released from isolation until he had two clear swabs, taken at an interval of two days. Many cultures were sown for the Bacteriological Department. At first, in September, in the experimental stages, a solution of zinc sulph. was used, giving a 1-per-cent. vapour in the atmosphere. This was found to be efficacious, but the treatment was necessarily slow, and the small machine was unable to provide a properly saturated atmosphere. Later, using a larger machine, the solution was increased to 2 per cent, and even 5 per cent, in the atmosphere. It was proved that the saturated atmosphere of a 5-per-cent. solution can be tolerated without much discomfort for a period of from ten to twenty minutes. No injurious

Cases treated. Cured. Improved. No Change. Sore throats and colds . . . . • • • Suspected cerebro-spinal fever carriers Diphtheria-carriers 1,613 261 5 1,879 shargcd as cured. 1,401 261 5 1,667 104* 108 104 108 Totals * Since disc