KELVIN HOSPITAL

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18015, 6 March 1924, Page 12

KELVIN HOSPITAL

INFECTION A MYSTERY. MATRON'S EVIDENCE. (PhESS ASSOCIATION TSLSOBAH.) 'AUCKLAND, March 5. At the enquiry concerning the Kelvin Home, Dr. Gilmour, bacteriologist, gave technical evidence. H»-said he found a good deal of septooocci connected with influenza at the time deaths occurred at Kelvin. From bacteriological facts he had gained it was quite reasonable to assume that some were self-inflicted as the result of influenza. Mr Johnstone said he been told this morning by Dr. Hughes that the number of deaths from this complaint elsewhere than at Kelvin was normal, whereas at Kelvin there was a very serious increase. Professor Here us gave evidence to the ettect tUat. a previous suttervv from influenza would nave lowered r<» sistance and be more susceptible to secondary invaders. Dr. iracey inglis, who wao called in as consultant in two cases, gave evidence that he regarded them as septic. He was in tne habit .of notifying suspected cases in his own practice. There was a higher mortality rate during the influenza epidemic a 6 also in certain others. 'me increase was not due to disease in the puerperal region. A question arose whether Nurse Gibbons had said concerning on 6 of the cases for wmcli Dr. Inglis was

called in, "Remember I have tne house full of patients," the inference suggested being that if the case was notiiied as 6eptic it would do her harm.

Dr. Inglis: I don't remember Nurse Gibbons saying anything of the kind. I don't think for a moment she would try to influence me if I thought a case should bo notified. I have known her a -very long time and can't think she would do that. Misst Gibbons, dice usee of Kefivin Maternity Hospital, said she had .about 25 years' nursing experience and had been for years licensee of Kelvin. For 10 years there were no cases of puerperal fever. Those the subject of the present commission were the first she had hliS. She and another nurse were qualified; the others were not, tut were all good. Witness detailed the thorough manner in which the hospital was fitted up and the great care taken in regard to avoiding infection of any kind. Witness handed in a written" statement giving the clinical history of each cage before the commission. After Mrs Jones was sent to Auckland hospital, the room was vigorously fumigated and everything disinfected. Witness » then thought it a case of influenza and was much surprised to hear that it was a septic case. Witness took special precautions with post-influenza rases. She had a dread of them; in fact, she was terrified of them. Asked about the possibility of infee-

tion being picked up in the bathroom that had a sink in which the bed-pans were washed, witness gave it as her opinion it was impossible, and described the precautions taken. After Mrs Delamore's case, witness stopped admission to Kelvin before ever the Health Department took any steps. There was no. question whatever of self-interest. She did all she could in the interests of the patients. She could not suggest how ike infection could have arisen. She was certain none of the staff could have conveyed it. Regarding the allegation concerning the . diet given to Mrs Delamore on the day of her confinement, witness ,said it certainly was not customary to give tinned salmon at such a time. The first thing was generally hot milk and then broth. Some women wanted gravy and things, and could have it if they liked. in fact, some of the big country women were only too anxious to get something of tho kind.

,Mr Finlay (for Nnrso Gibbons): As a matter of fact, I believe once you woye ordered to give beefsteak f—A doctor once ordered me to give a chop the same day. Answering further questions, witness said she could not say absolutely what Mrs Delamore had the first day, but she could be sure it would • hardly be tinned salmon, such not being the practice at the hospital. '< Mr Finlay: You could lay a thousand to one-against? The chairman: Does she name the odds? Mr Finlay went on to suggest that Mrs Ehodes (mother of Mrs Delamore), who had spoken of the tinned salmon diet, had got mixed in her dates. Probably tinned salmon was given at some later date. The chairman: She was ' positive about it. Mr Finlay: She had got mixed in the arrangement of her details, as was shown Tinder the cross-examination. "Witness said the tea referred to had been given by a probationer, but it was now impossible to trace the matter. Anyhow, it was quite against the practice of the hospital. The hearing of evidence was con- ! eluded, and the Commission adjourned.