T.B. TREATMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 72, 25 March 1936, Page 11

T.B. TREATMENT.

ON BOMBAY HILLS. AUCKLAND SANATORIUM. HOSPITAL BOARD'S DECISION. The erection of a sanatorium for the treatment of tubercular patients, on a site to be purchased 011 the Bombay Hills, was dccidcd upon at a special meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday afternoon. The board for a considerable time has been considering (lie provision of adequate accommodation for patients suffering from chest weaknesses, or tuberculosis, and in deciding to establish a sanatorium in the province it.abandoned an alternative proposal for the building of a cliest hospital nearer the city.

Tlio chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, explained that the Waipukurau and Otaki sanatoria were full, and that, there was a waiting list for each. There were about 90 patients in the shelters at the infirmary, while 00 to 70 patients from the district were at the sanatoria. "We are spending about £35,000 a year on tuberculosis patients, and I am in favour of establishing a sanatorium in our own district as soon as possible/' said Mr. Wallace.

Dr. E. B. Gunson said that according to Dr. McDowell a chest hospital, as-Ik; v isualised it. would be able to deal with 90 or 95 per cent of the tuberculosis cases, leaving only a small number to be sent to a sanatorium. A site with reasonable access to the city was needed, and the board had such sites.

Tlie cliaiiMiinn of the hospital stair executive committee. Mr. Frank Mucky, said that the committee's rccolit report on building requirements had dealt with a chest hospital, not, a sanatorium, because the board had submitted a proposal for the former. The committee would be prepared to express its views on a sanatorium and to co-operate with the board. However, it was emphatic that there should be a single comprehensive building scheme, and that no detail of such a scheme should be undertaken in advance..

Dr. Gmison then moved that the "board acquire a site near Penrose, already or offer, for the purpose of a chest ho? pital.

The proposal was opposed by Mr. (?. T. Parvin because the site was liable to fogs and because of the smell from the works at Wcstfield.

A further proposal that a modern building should be erected on the southern portion of the infirmary site was made by Mrs. 31. M. Dreaver. Dr. Gunson said that ne was prepared to accept this as an alternative to the Penrose site.

The advantage's of the Bombay Hills location was stressed by Mr. Parvin. It had a magnificent site, was free of fogs and one of the healthiest localities near Auckland. He moved that a site for the erection of a sanatorium there be acquired. , , The Rev. W. C. Wood supported Mr. Parvin. Ho mentioned- that many eases of invalids who had recovered in health after a period at Bombay could be cited. Since the St. Stephen's Maori College had removed from Parnell improvement to the boys in physique and health Jia.i been noted as the result of systematic

Mr. Wallace mafic reference to reports lie had received favouring Bombay. The Penrose site lie regarded as an ideal one for an auxiliary hospital, and he telt that it- should be still considered for that purpose. .in. Mr Parvin's motion was carried, ui. Ciunson and Mr. J. Waddell asking that their votes lie recorded against it,