H.—33

20

Matheson in a number of cases to have the man specially examined, and this he undertook to do. When I commenced the inquiry I found that the Medical Officer visiting the island was Colonel W. E. Collins, N.Z.M.C, who had long been one of the leading medical practitioners in Wellington. He had already reported specially to me on six cases which I had referred to him at the request of the patients. Towards the close of the inquiry I was informed that he was about to leave for Europe, as I understood, on a third voyage with a hospital ship. He was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel Matthew Holmes, N.Z.M.C, who has served for a considerable time in France. During the earlier part of the history there had been several other Medical Officers charged with'the duty of visiting Somes Island. The number of sick men there at any one time is never large, and 1 have no doubt that whenever a case requires special treatment it is removed to Wellington Hospital, where the most modern surgical and medical treatment is available. Now that it has been decided to erect a small hospital at Somes Island I cannot make any useful suggestion on the head of medical treatment of prisoners of war. I take it that the duty of Government, in addition to seeing that prisoners of war are being supported by a proper ration scale, housed in wholesome quarters, and clad in garment suitable for the climate, is to ensure that sick and weak men and either men requiring medical attendance receive it, and that to this end the camp authorities should, on the application of any prisoner of war who complains of illness, ensure that, he be brought, before the Medical Officer at his next visit. I see no reason to doubt that this has been generally attended to, and I am satisfied that it has never been more efficiently attended to than at present. I have therefore no recommendation to make on the subject of medical treatment. 14. HEALTH OF PRISONERS OF WAR. The general subject of the health of prisoners is a very large one. I can only say that they appeared to me to be a, very healthy body of men. I have referred to the question of food, which appears to be of such quality and quantity as is calculated to keep men in health. I have had evidence of weights, of the exact bearing of which I cannot claim'to be a judge. I asked Colonel. Holmes to make a general inspection of the whole of the prisoners other than those who from illness oi' debility are not expected to attend parade. He stated to me that the impression he formed from this inspection was that they appeared to be a sound healthy body of men. There are. of course, exceptions. There never has been an epidemic among the men. There have been, I think, five deaths, and five cases of men sent to the mental hospital ; of the latter, three have been discharged. Neither of these numbers appears to be excessively high. Some men are certain to suffer when detained in this way, especially if they have business or family anxieties. I am satisfied that the health of the men is constantly under proper medical supervision, and I do not think that the authorities can do more than provide this. When not working the men disperse to private huts, small private gardens, and various occupations and recreations. There were some complaints about the closing of rooms, men saying that they were compelled to stay out, in inclement weather. I am satisfied that Major Matheson was pursuing a course which he considered the best course in the interests of the health of the men in keeping them in the open air. He lias, however, undertaken to submit this to the medical authorities. The regular work in the vegetable-garden, and other work, amounting to seven hours per week per man, has been in my opinion beneficial to them, and if this is to cease it may be necessary to provide some form of exercise to replace it. Taking the position as a whole and apart from special cases, I think that the men are in a satisfactory state of health. 15. SANITATION. 1 have not found it necessary to take evidence on the subject of the sanitation of the camp. Some obvious but not highly important defects were discussed with the Commandant. Lieut.-Colonel Holmes, Assistant, Director of Medical Services, made an inspection during the inquiry, and is to report on the subject. I handed, to him a criticism on the sanitation of the camp by an educated prisoner of war,