BOTTLE LAKE HOSPITAL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13744, 27 May 1910, Page 8

BOTTLE LAKE HOSPITAL.

PROVISION FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES. At yesterdays meeting of the North .Canterbury United Charitable Aid Board a sub-committee appointed by the Hospital Committee, presented a report on an inspection of Bottle Lake Infectious Diseases Hospital. The chairman of the committee (Mr W. W. Tanner) stated that Mr J. D. Hall, a member of the sub-committee, had gone to great trouble to prepare the report, and had drafted a comprehensive schemo that would result in the community being efficiently provided for in case of emergency in the mlTtter of infectious diseases. Mr Hall estimated the cost of the scheme at £200; but ho (Mr Tanner) thought that figure was on the low side. The first portion-»of the report consisted of a description of tho property at Bottle Lake, comprising a reserve of 187 acres, main buildings, out-buildings, isolation smallpox ward, and food supply. The report wont on to enumerate the alterations that, in the opinion of the committee, are necessary. The first fivo clauses recommended increased accommodation for the nurse in charge and the caretaker (whereby more room for patients would also bo provided), improvements to the paths, additional shelter for tho verandah, linoleum for the floors of the. main wards, and fire-guard screens in tho dining hall. These clauses wore adopted. Clause 6. dealing with the smallpox hospital, was adopted in the following fenu : —The committee recommend that tho present building should be moved to a site about 400 or 500 yards from the main building, and a first stratum ar- | tesian well sunk there, and that the ! shelter shed at present used by the nurse in charge, and tho small range in it, should be movetl unci placed near the smallpox ward, and that a partition should be erected in the ward to provide for male and female patients. This clause to be subieet to the approval of the District Health Officer (Dr. Finch). Clause 7, dealing with medical attendance, was adjourned for the future consideration of the Hospital Committee. Clause 8, recommending the planting of shelter trees and a few fruit trees, was adopted. The report went on to say that it was questionable whether the main ward are-ommodation was sufficient, and it seemed desirable to add two more wards to the main building, to the west of the proposed additions for the caretaker aud his wife. In the event of an epidemic the present accommodation would not be sufficient. The report, with the alterations mentioned, was adopted.