T.B. In Papua

No Precautions in Native Villages

WE had been wandering, most of the day, about the beach and its fringe of coconuts and casuarinas, and were hot and dirty. When we finally came aboard we were tired enough to welcome the cool breeze which had sprung up after dinner and were prepared just to sit back and enjoy it.

There was a big feast—or “Christmas” as the boys called it—ashore, and the lights of many fires twinkled along the beach and cast shimmering reflections on the rippling water. At times, bursts of song and the sound of drums would reach our ears, muted by distance.

The pigs, apparently, had all been killed during the day, or enough for the night’s celebration—although squeals could still be heard at times.

Friend Bill looked thoughtful, as we lay back on deck, with our feet on the rail, smoking. Suddenly, he broke the silence: “I believe that two of those pigs killed over there to-day were infected with T. 8.”

No one showed much interest, and Bill looked a bit surprised and, standing up, went on: “I suppose none of you can realise just what that means. It means that the Papuan native (we know he has T.B. to some extent) is in for a tough time. He prizes his pigs, and almost lives with them. Thev crawl underneath his houses and eat all his refuse, and leave their own there. These pigs are eaten and, at feast times, are transported to

other villages.

“Now, two of those pigs we saw to-day, I will swear, had T.B. and they will be paten, and the germs transplanted to black brother, and some more natives will join the sufferers. They will go home, and spit around the place, and the pigs will come round.

“The thing is like a snowball. The fur ther it goes the bigger it gets. If it is not caught early it will get out of hand.”

The prospector asked how it could be stopped, and suggested keeping the pigs out of the villages. Then he said that, if the pigs out here had T. 8., what about the ones at Hanuabada village, right under the nose of the Government and Mission.

The skipper said that a big percentage of the natives of Hanuabada had T. 8., but that he did not know about the pigs.

T asked Bill how he knew the pigs had T. 8,, and he said: “I have no positive proof, but I am certain in my own mind.

At one time, I was an inspector in the meat industry, and one of the things we looked for was T.B. I had a good look at some of those pigs to-day, and I am positive that if tests were made they would be found to be infected.”

I said: “Yes, but won’t cooking kill the germs?”

“Yes, proper cooking”, said Bill. “Come ashore for a few minutes and have a look-see.”

We clambered into the dinghy and were rowed ashore. Pieces of dead pig were everywhere among the feasters. Some looked 0.K., but they ranged from being well-cooked to being merely singed. But all was going the same way. After half an hour, we went back aboard.

I often have thought over that night.

Did those pigs have T. 8.? Has the possi bility of village pigs being infected been thought of? If so. has anything been

done about it? Is there much T.B. in Hanuabada, as the skipper says?

If so, the Mission would do well to spend a little time, looking into it. Or the Government could do it. Some high Government officials live near Hanua bada, and a big Mission station is there.

I know that there is a T.B. hospital at Gemo Island, but it is only for those who are already infected, and there is no law to sav that an infected native must stop there. He can go home when he likes, and infect others.

I have never known Bill to be far wrong in his facts, but I suggest that someone with more specialised knowledge have a look. If no one else bothers about it I will trv and do so later. Also there have been two deaths of Europeans from T.B. in the Eastern end, Samarai, in the last eighteen months. Bill might be only

too right.-

"Daika”.

Rev. C. S. Bull, of the Anglican Mission in Fiji, who has been attached to the staff of St. David’s Cathedral, Hobart, Tasmania, during recent months, will re turn to Suva in August.

Mr. Keith Mountain, only son of the late Mr. Arthur Mountain and Mrs.

Mountain, of Drummoyne, Sydney, was married to Miss Hazel Ball, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Ball, of Burwood, Sydney, in Port Moresby re cently. The bride, who was given away by Mr. K. Grey, of Mirigeda, was at tended by Mrs. D. Pyke, as Matron of Honour. Miss Marjorie McLaughlan acted as flower girl, and Mr. M. Guy was best man. A reception held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Campbell, on Port Road. Port Moresby, was attended by a large number of guests.

yf ITLER was conversing with his head men w j ien ' one 0 f them remarked: “I hear they re starting another campaign against malaria.” « And Wgh time> too ” snar led Adolf.

TVTaiarianc Vi«vp hpph in ®. tJ9 ? se iviaiarians nave oeen treating our German minority is something terrible!”—“N.Z. National Review”.