HOSPITAL BOARD.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12531, 28 June 1906, Page 9

HOSPITAL BOARD.

THE DENTAL WARD. Tho Hospital Board ,nict yesterday. Present: Messrs G. Payling (chairman), T. Gapes, F. Horrcll, Harris, l>. D. Maefarlane, D. MMillan, ('. Allison, J. Wolfe, C. H. Winny, Diinlop, IXia.soii aud G. Scott.

Mr G. Payling said before proceeding with tho business he desired to move a motion in connection with tho groat calamity sustained by the colouy through tho drath of tho Premier. Mr Soddon had always taken a keen interest in the caro of the sick, and a short timo ago had been in favour of doing something to improve nur3inß facilities in the country. He moved:— "That this Beard places on record its dei»p sense of tho great loss sustained by the colony at the doath of the Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier, and to express its appreciation of the interest, ho always took in matters connected with tho amelioration of the sick, the sarno to bo duly forwarded." The resolution was carried unanimously.

The committee's report stated that the pians and specifications for tho proposed alterations to tho electric system had been examined, bub the estimated cost of carrying tho same into effect largely exceetied the amount available. In reference to a proposal that tho Board make an exhibit ot a corner section c-t tho Hospital at the Exhibition, the committee had considered th;> question, and revolted that it could not sco its way to recommend ati exhibit lwiug made, but would bo glad to assist in any way in its power vi furthering the object in view. Regarding tho establishment of a cental department, tho committee lecomniendncl that ono or the rooms in the outpatient department be divid-ed ami macl« available tor the work to be carried out therein; it also recomliienuod that articles detailed in a list submitted be obtained. The sanitary work oi two wards was completed; that oi tho third was in progress. The repairs at Battle Lake Hospital had been completed; during the last two months cases of scarlatina had been treated.

Tho House Surgeon's report said that during tho month 133 patients were admitted, 147 w«ro discharged, and 14 died, leaving 108 remaining ».t the end oi tho mouth. Six of the eases wero moribund on admission, and in three of them tho ocrtiikatc was given by tho doctor tliem into tho hospital, as the- Houso Surgeon had no means of ascertaining tno causo of death. It was to be regretted that cases should bo nioveci to tno hospital iii this hopeless condition. During the month thuro wore 010 uut-patk'ut attendances and 70 operations under anesthesia.

'lho matron reported that the senior (itiitr nurso was eligible for appointment in charge of the oporatins th«itre, and that Misses Mctt and Miller had boeai noeivcel for tlii'ir throo months' trial. Tho reports were adopted. Mr liorrcll moved that the resolution carried at the last meeting of the Boc£« favouring tho cruition of ii dental wata according to tho offer of tho Odontologioal Mocioty Iw roscimkil. It had beun passed, ho &aitl, hastily. It would cost much more than tho £50 which had been mentioned. There was jio provision ia tho by-laws for tho appointment of dental surgeons on the honorary .staff. Moreover, the country had to be considered, and tho usefulness of the Hospital was not to bo beet promoted in the lraniicr sugg-cetcd. Mr Wolfo eeconded the motion. Mr Gapes eaid ho was strongly in favour of a dental ward. Mr Dunlop deprecated any town v. country discussion, but hu doubted whether a dental ward was desirable. Messrs Maefarlane, Scott, Winny, and Allison strongly supported tho proposal far a dental ward. Several speakers protested against any town r. country discussion. Mr Harris said that country people knew how to look after themselves, and he did not think the resolution oarried by the Hoard ought to be rescinded. Mr McMillan, said if tho proposed ward w-£>ro only tojeost £50 he would support it, hut ho 3icl not wish to see them do a largo dental business. Mr Dobson ."aid tliat nt tho last mooting of tho Board extraordinary busi-nss-8 was dealt with, of which, dup jioticp hr.d not beou given. Ho supported the motion. '

po Mr Payling e:nl tho business done at ♦ ho l««t "meeting was quito in order. Ho did not vi>h members to nin away with the idea that the ward was only yjinfi to cost £.">O. It would cost £150, and he had Raid so before. But much disease was traceable to bad tooth, and in a general hospital thcro ought to be a dental ward. Thoro would be no difficulty about funds. But the Odontolcßicnl Society, if they came to the Hospital, must there be absolutely subject to the control of tho Board. Mr Ilorrcll *«id ho did not desiro. to raise* tho (own v. country discussion. All ho drcirod was fair treatment for the country a* against <ho town. Xo statistics had been brought forward to slvow that the poor people required tho ward, or that they suffered from b.id tooth. Tlio country w paying 75 per cent, of the tip-keep of the Hospital, and tho town received 80 per cent, of tho benefU. Tho motion was lest , , only the. mover and seconder voting for it. A Mtrr from the Odontploqieal Soeietv was rom] staiiiyj that the society w;vs ready to fulfil tho conditions stated' by tho deputation which waited en tho last meeting of the Board. Mondays, and Fridays wero suggestrd «>« j-iiiting <Lays. and tho society should allocate the dates decided upon union£ c t its momfsors who volui\tt-ercd their jK<rvio«. Tho society should retain control of the visiting dental surgeons. It was al?o siiiigfftod tliat any pnrscn might apply for ordinary extractions, but for gas and fillings a guarantee of inability to pay should be produced. The letter was referred to the Honeo Commit too to report. Tho recommendation of the Joint Committee of the Industrial Association and Trades and Ijabour Comicil, urging that preference should be fjiven wherever pw>«.iblc to local manufactures and productions, came before the ©oard. Tho Chairman said this was carried out wherever pessibio. Tbo Jotter vrs* rcrpive'J. . Tho ruvenue for IUOS-0 was etat-etl to

l>? £13.151 7s Id; receipts on tho above ware £1430 18s lOd. The monthly ree.ipts were £269 5s 7d; the payments by committee were £361 9s 2d. The accounts for payment amounted to £518 lGs Id.