HOSPITAL LIFE AND HUMAN NATURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 13 November 1925, Page 12

HOSPITAL LIFE AND HUMAN NATURE.

. , (To the Editor.) j Sir, —Much that is apprehensive is expressed in our time concerning the trend of human nature; but a stay as patient at our great District Hospital, would, I believe, reassure many' people. Such a one is at a favourable point from which to view the play of those better feelings, which we may hope will ever be in evidence as a proof of our Christianity,.ana of our racial characteristics. The magnificent administration, service and highly ■developed skill, is applauded by the Mayo College; and the warm kindliness of the staff' is everywhere evident. Then one notes a great spirit helpfulness, •patience and generosity, exhibited by each patient (as he can) to the other. The procession of visitors at the appointed hours is always a long one. and always a pleasing study. The bread winner may be ill, even very ill, and the cost of living a real spectre, (without mentioning the menace of the "Reaper") to the wife and mother; but always she is there, always her face is radiant, and always the children from whom so much has to be concealed '(poor mites) are. tlean and tidy, showing a. mother's care. 'And father always seems to get his parcel, and his changes and some small package or flowers that is the gift of » non-present member, and when it is mother who is laid aside, father's big Brawn and. wide smile,'and his grooming effectually hide any difficulties that he Has .confronted and overcome; and whether h l3 wife can or cannot See through any transparency, let us not examine more closely than we do their happy reunion. . There are unhappflv mmm Jβ the all-around and frequent t.culariy in the children's S" vffi persons, who present to each patient £?p f M Pemlß r n) att aseortmLtoi delectable eweets, etc., and to men of as Ms-s-sst t »

rubber stamp on one of four packages, placed near mc. It read: "With best wishes for speedy recovery from members - Waterside Workers, Firemen and Seamen's Unions." Upon protesting that I was supplied with a few extras, and that the gift might be better applied elsewhere, I was told that all would be supplied, and that I could not deprive anybody. Many of us here feel strongly that these people" deserve a large vote of thanks from patients. The editor of the paper that is out for the "good that it can do" may afford us a medium. The cost of living is a worry, the lives of these men are strenuous, many must be married, and their camaraderie must impose many demands on each. Then they make no wide appeal for funds, and their good work in this hospital connection" has become a tradition. Their unsolicited kindness, and the manner of its application is really a most appealing circumstance. —I am, etc., F.M.S.