THE SICK AND WOUNDED.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17060, 3 February 1921, Page 6

THE SICK AND WOUNDED.

CArttERBURY MILITARY DISTRICT. COLONEL FENWICK'S REPORT. That then- are many sick and wound* ed soldiers who still need medical care and attention in this district as a result of the recent world-wide hostilities is stnr.sgiy evidenced by the anneal report, ending December 31st, 1920, submitted by Colonel P. C. Fenwick, C.M.G., T.D., M.D.. -As-i.-tau: Director of Medical Services ior the Canterbury Military District. Colonel Fenwick states, inter alia : Chalmers Hospital.—On the closure of the Chalmers military w;»r<i> in July* tho electro-therapeutical department was continued by the North Canterbury Hospital Board, under the supervision of Captain Will, seconded from the Xew Zealand Modi:at Corps. For tho m.>nths August to December there were 194 military yatients with Zd'2o treatments, | and 422 civilian paticn's with 7r27 treatments. The table *&ows a steady decrease in the number of military patients, and nn equally steady increase , in civil patients attending this department. Splint and Artificial Limb Department. —This department, under Colonel H. T. D. Aclan'd. C.M.G., has done excellent work, and came under the direction of the medical branch of the Defence Department on October Ist last. The civilian practitioners are taking advantage of the facilities offered for obtaining splints, etc. Since August last the following work has been done: —Splints, surgical appliances, and surgical boots, military IdOj ciril -00: new artificial limbs, 10; repairs to limbs, 79; work for civu" practitioners, SO; amputees, number of cases, 131; amputees, attendances, 261. Tubercular Disease. —Lieut.-CoMtsel Aitken, M.C., attends each Thursday to exaraino and observe tubercular cases. The average attendance has been about eleven a week. There baa been a steady increase iu the number oi patients. The generosity of the Defence Department in providing sheh*TS. tents, and furniture for men discharged from tilie Sanatoria is undoubtedly proving a very valuable measure in assisting recovery and preventing the spread of infection. Queen Mary Hospital, Haamer.—The military hospital has recently been treating civil patients for functional nervous diseases. Applications for admission of female patients hare been received, but it as not possible to accommodate these. The Queen Mary Hospital has filled s. great need as far «C« military patients are concerned, and if it becomes possible to admit an ina«a*ing number of civilian cases, Tlamaer may become a valuable centre for the * treatment of functional noire troubles. The climate and comparative isolation of Hanmer appear to givo this centra almost ideal conditions for patients suffering from nervous diseases. Hospital Returns.— Statistics pre* pared by Contain Brammall indicate m steady decrease in the admissions «na discharges for both in an out-patients in tho district. The total number of Service patients under treatment in the district shows a steady decline, Le., from 809 in January to 575 in December (262 in-patients and 313 outpatients, the latter including amnutees). The applications for Service treatment are falling, off, but the report of attendance at the R.M.O. office shows a tern- ■» porary increase in November. Bed Cross Activity.—Colonel FeawicH | speaks in high praise of the work done for the patients by the Ked Cross ana kindred associations throughout the entire Canterbury Military District. Ha has endeavoured personally to acknowledge, as far as possible,,the obligation felt to all these associations, and to a great number of private citizens for sympathy and generous help.. Administration.- 1 -In conclusion, CoL Fenwick states that the totals shown below give a fair idea of the work dona | by District Headquarters (Medical). The records of each man hav« to be scrutinised to decide whether the applicant's disability is due to war service. Each admission and discharge, transfer, issue of tent, splint shop work, etc., has, of course, necessitated a gnat deal of clerical work. During 1980 there were:—Applications for treatment, 1781; attendances by B'-ILO., 1833; admissions to hospital, 1110; discharges from hospital, 1147; admission* to O.P. department, 1439; discharges from O.P. department, 1635; transfers effected, 1105; inward correspondence re military services, 20,593: outwards, 24,712.