Title: War Surgery and Medicine

Author: Stout, T. Duncan M.

Publication details: Historical Publications Branch, 1954, Wellington

Part of: The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945

This text is the subject of: ‘Something of Them Is Here Recorded’: Official History in New Zealand

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Immunity

It was noted that no particular physical type of soldier was more liable to become infected, but that the chances decreased with age. Infection in most cases conferred an immunity, but some very slightly infected had infections a second time. The average full infection usually conferred an immunity, but some men failed to develop an immunity at all and had repeated reinfections. Maoris had a strong immunity, which seemed to be a racial characteristic as the chance of infection was greatest in those who had a marked admixture of white blood.