SOLDIER PATIENTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16850, 2 June 1920, Page 2

SOLDIER PATIENTS.

CO2TTROL OF CHALMEES WAED. The rmall iron gate near the Antigua street bridge, giving access to the Chalmers Ward, at the Hospital, was permanently closed yesterday, this being the first step in the change to civil control of the ward. It is stated that attendance at the gate costs £500 per annum, and that the Government now (Inclines to go on paying for a service that is not necessary. Tlio soldier patients do not fancy the prospect of coming under civil control, and are particularly loth to lese the care and attention of their OC.. Colonel! Fcmvick. The system of discipline in j the civil wards does not appeal to them,! and they do not wish to lose their special privileges as to leave, hours for visitors, etc. They are heartily in favour of t.ho remit* now before the Returned Soldiers' Association's Conference, that where there are soldier ' patients in a hospital the Association ':h«iild Jifve representation on the controlling Board. Yesterday the patients met and j formulated the following requests: —J j (1) That the ex-soldier patients ' Vhould he kept together until the very last, and that there should be no reparation; (2) that the special mili-i-iry pate should be* reopened, particularly for the convenience of men; '3i that the present system of leave j permits and visitors' passes should be ; ;i.itinned; (4) that military rations should be kept on, with a promise that ihcrc should be no drop to the lower civil scale: (o) that one of the present medical officers should remain in charge I of the ward; of course under the Hospital Board: (6) that the soldiers' pack stare and the- military laundry system should not bo done away with; (7) that members of the Red Cross Society should continue to receive adequate vbiting privileges. Lb tor in the day Colonel Fcnwick replied to some of the points raised by the men, as follows: — *'I am practically certain that the military natients will bo kept together. At least "that is the impression I received after a conversation with Ih*. Fox. The special gate cannot be kept open any longer, it has cost £600_ a year. The main entrance is more suitable'for the men themselves. There is a stopping place just outside, and shelter for the men while they are waiting. In regard to leave permits and visitors' passes, the men will be on the same footing as civil patients. There will be no difference in the rations. Up till now the military patients have been getting the same as the civil patients. It is'cooked in the same kitchen. Laundry provision is made for civil patiefits. I cannot say whether the men will be under one of the present military officers or not. When the hospital is demobilised—it may be in- six weeks —the men will find not a whit of difference in tho manner of their treatment. They . will get exactly the same courtesy and kindness from the Hospital Board's staff as they have been receiving from the military officers. Demobilisation had to come sooner or later. The men cannot remain soldiers for ever. Those now in the ward are all on pension. The number of patients has been decreasing steadily for some time. Some time ago we had 225 of them. Now there are only ninety-five. Drafts of cured or partially cured men are frequently genu aw'av. Recently seven North Islanders went on to the Hospital. There they will' receive similar , treatment, and they will be nearer their ! homes. Three Southland men were also ' transferred recently to their own districts. In their cases', no further operations are necessary. They only require electrical treatment, and good nursing, and that they will get." In regard to discharged soldiers whosC v.ar-time troubles break out afresh, they will rerjort as usual to the. A.D.M.S., and* be sent to hospital, all expenses being paid by the Defence Department.

Noticing what lie averred was a tipsy eat reeling along the street, Mr H. B. Dobbs, a "dry" agent of New York, followed it. It led him to a hidden store of 50 gallons of alcohol, which was promptly confiscated. The agent stated that there were several other cats in the bnilding, all in a state of more or less hihirity.