Abstract
#1.The outstanding feature of the Respiratory Diseases affecting men of the N.Z.E.F, has been their low immunity to attack by the organisms of catarrh.
#2.This was one of the main causes of invaliding. The frequency of catarrhal attacks with lesions similar to Tubercular disease of the lungs was pronounced.
#3 The percentage of Positive Tubercle of the lung is found to be about that of the British Army pre- war, taking statistics for 1913.
#4.It was necessary to evacuate invalided men to New Zealand.
This meant a long sea voyage of over six weeks in a
crowded Transport.Thus it became necessary to use great
care in classification,and the cases diagnosed Clinical
Tubercle of the Lung amounted to a large number.
#5.The improvement under changed conditions was rapid,and to
avoid the stigma of Tubercle, the class of Chronic
Pulmonary Disease Indeterminate was instituted.Men with
the lesser apical changes were included in this class.
#6.Comparison of histories as provided in Board Papers (Table 7)
shows the similarities and variations in the three types
of case.
#7.The matter of diagnosis is open to question,and will be
viewed by critics according to the value placed on Clinical
signs and symptoms apart from the finding of the Tubercle
Bacillus.
#8.Tubercular diseases in New Zealand are not common. The view
that the Clinical and CPDI cases are due to lighting of
old foci in the lungs is not substantiated, but deserves consideration.
#9. Sputum examinations shewed the presence of respiratory
catarrhal organisms without the presence of T.B and it is
probable that even the typical apical lesions are set up
by the former alone.
#10. The fact that the men were evacuated if still unfit for
service after a period of three months or more,probably
prevented the developetent of T.B.in a greater ratio.
By watching the future of the suspects ,fresh grounds for
opinion will arise.In the meantime the men should not be
lost sight of.
#11. The class CPDI was composed of two groups as in Clinical
and Positive T.B. - those arising insidiously,and those in
which the lungs gave persistent apical signs following an
acute pulmonary attack (Table 3).
#12. Influenza was not found to be so common a cause in these
alas es as might have been expected.Slighter attacks of
gas poisoning may have had something to do with the
impairment.
#13. Of other pulmonary diseases a group may be made of
Pneumonia, Broncho-Pneumonia, and Pleurisy, including the
cases of acute onset in the form which have been returned
under T.B.(Positive and Clinical) and CPDI -
This type of case shows a total of 694.
#14.The Maori soldiers were very subject to Tubercle of the
lung :their return for a small force is large. They affect
the Ratios per 1000 in the Tables to some degree, and they
are differentiated in important points.
#15. Figures re: Age incidence shew that the acute diseases are more prominent in the years up to 25, for the acute.
conditions - The experience of combatant of officers that men
between 25 and 35 years of age are the best soldiers is
upheld. In the later ages Asthma and Emphysema are more
apparent.
#16. Indoor and Outdoor occupation are not well defined among
the agricultural population of New Zealand,where the towns
are, small ,and short working hours allow of open air
exercise .The Outdoor population includes a number of men
who are much exposed to the weather and develop Bronchitis
and Emphysema in their later years, while the figure for
Pneumonia is high at all ages.
