CARE OF CHILDREN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9657, 14 July 1919, Page 4

CARE OF CHILDREN

APPEAL TO HOSPITAL BOARD.

Nurse E. M. Gabites, Education Department^ nurse, who recently inspected schools in this district, wrote to tho Hospital Board to-day as follows: —

"May I appeal to the generosity and sympathy of your board, to lielp forward the aims and objects of the work among the 6ehool children of your district In Ashburton and Hampstead alone, not including the surrounding districts, there are some 154 children who are suffering from defects (slight and otherwise) of adenoids, enlarged tonsils, carrion teeth, eyesight, and hearing, showing the urgent necessity for some special place where these defects may be treated. The lack of means is, in a great many cases, the result of the appalling state of these defects, especially in the teeth, but which can bo remedied by the erection of an outpatients' department, suitably completed and equipped; also by. the appointment of dentists, eye, ear, and throat specialists,' honorary or otherwise, who would giv.o tho necessary treatment. The Medical Superintendent. (Dr. Russell Wells) and the Matron (Miss gander) of' your hospital have signified their intention, with the permission of .the board, of being prepared to receive town children suffering from adenoids and enlarged tonsils on Thursday, and" County children on Friday 'of this week at 8 a.m. There are 42 cases*«f obstruction and enlarged tonsils. There now remain 72 patients requiring treatment for tooth, eyes, and hearing. The care of teeth is a very urge»t problem. Although the, Minister of Education states that dentists are to Le ttppbinted for this work, it may be feoixto time before the treatment will begin. Meanwhile the health of tho children is suffering, and .decay in spreading. The local dentists, if appointed, are willing-to, give half or a ..whole day to the children at the hospital. For the -eye and ear treatment little remains to b© said. There are 27 children suffering from defective vision. What .'more."fitting- memorial to. the bravo 'soldiers of Ashburton who.so willingly made the great and supreme sacrifice 'than,, an outpatients' department equipped and complete, which would for generations b& an acknowledgment j of their gTeat art to th© .children and people, of Ashburton and surrounding districts. Hoping that this letter may be favourably received.". "■;.. A list of names of children was also stibmitted: with the letter. .

Dr. Wells stated that be had arranged to take 12.0f the children every week for treatment. "Last.week only two children turned ■ up for treatment. „ The instruments at his disposal were not suitable, "and were blunt. He ha 3 requisitioned for new instruments, and these were under order.

Mr Dickie, M.P., stated that it should be widely known that the children all over the -.County yould be treated at the hospital. • '' '' . The chairman "said the bocird had" always been prepared to * take the children in. The board had never turned down any cases, but the doctors had. 1

Mr Doherty: ■ " What's-' the difference ?" *

The chairman said the* ' Medical Superintendent was, willing, to attend to" these. children at the-hospital, and this should be widely known;

It was then decided to refer tho j letter to a special committee", and"to%j inform the writer that tho recommendations would receive favourable consideration.