SOLDIERS IN HOSPITAL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16360, 4 November 1918, Page 2

SOLDIERS IN HOSPITAL.

A WARNING TO VISITORS. "It is undeniable," says the "Journal of Public Health," an official publication, "that invalided soldiers have an indescribable lascmation tor a cwtain sec-ltou of the lair sex. We have never Had compiamts or piano-playing and running iu aud out or wurus occupied by, say, cnronic old people, or ox cases of ladies situug for lengthy periods at the bedsido oi bed-ndclen old people with whom tney have had no reiationsmp or acquaintance." The remarii occurs in an article headed: "Visitors to Hospitals: Abuse of Privileges." The ••Journal" states that an inquiry was recently held' by ono ot the uospital boards into charges against the medical superintendent iu regard to the subject, the result being that the charges wore dismissed by tne board as being trivial. The medical superintendent told the board that the ward was transformed into a music hall by people who had no right there whatever. He gave near relatives permission to go there at night, but they found that the ward was being filled by people who had no relatives thero. "I tried for some time to get the sister in chargo not to allow it. The nurses 6aid, 'We can't do it. They brush us aside; and one lady is particularly rude to us.'" "It is not necessary to state," adds the "Journal, "that the public should, and do, take an interest in our returned soldiers, oxid should be encouraged to do overything possible for them—that is self-evident; but behaviour such as that reported in the hospital in question cannot by any possible means be construed into an act of kindness to the returned soldiers, and could well have been postponed until tho soldiers were fcwell enough to be discharged. There should be no attempt to deny visitors to sick people, but it should be remembered that- sick peoplo should bo kept quiet and should suffer no undue excitement. Even during convalescence recovery has often been retarded by mistaken kindness and over-exciting of invalids." CHURCH SERVICES. Many an interesting sermon is sadly interrupted by incessant coughing and clearing of throats. In fairness to tho congregation ns a whole, sufferers from throat troubles should invariably garglo soothing and healing "Fluenzol" before church time. 6