PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19786, 26 November 1929, Page 2

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

The monthly committee meeting of the Eoyal N.Z. Society for the Health of Women and Children (the Plunket Society) was held in the Plunket rooms. There were present: Mrs E. J. Cordner (in the chair), Mesdames J. Stevenson, E. Garland, J. S. Neville, J. Bobertson, E. Harris, J. K. Archer, A. W. Beaven, A. Bloxam, L. Banks, T. Bassett, J. Tait, A. Bunz, A. F. Wright, H. T. J. Thaeker, E. Wanklyn, H. D. Aeland, H. Mcintosh, G. Lester, O. Eennie, G. Aitken, M. H. Godby, Cecil Wood, and the Misses Ward and M. Cooke. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mrs Chas. Chilton on the loss of her husband, who had been a wholehearted supporter of the Society, and whose practical help would be much missed by the branch. Apologies were received from Mesdames J. Cracroft Wilson, Algar Williams, J. Studholme, B. H. Gilmour, H. E. Smith, E. M. Morten, Hallows Wood, V. Turnbull, E. Boulton, F. Graham, and F. Wilding. The work of the Society in Papanui had increased so much that it had been found necessary for the Plunket Nurse to see mothers and babies one morning each week, in addition to the two afternoons she spends in the Papanui room. Arrangements made for the conference of Canterbury branches and subbranches on Wednesday next were discussed, and the secretary reported that Mrs B. H. Gilmour, president of the Lyttelton branch, had agreed to read a paper on "The Belation of Central Council to the Branches," and Mrs H. B. Smith, president of the Papanui sub-branch, would read a paper on "The Belationship of Sub-Branches to Branches." Dr. Derrick had agreed to give an address on the work of the nurses amongst the pre-school children and at the ante-natal clinics. Miss Hoddinott, administrative secretary to the Society, would be present at the conference. The secretary reported that at the request of the City Council a rough sketch plan of the alterations necessary to the Chester street Fire Station for the Society's purposes had been submitted, and the matter was now in the hands of the Council. A letter had been written to the Mayor and Councillors thanking them for promoting the necessary legislation. It was decided to hold the December committee meeting on the 11th instead of the 18th. Arrangements were made for the Christmas dinner for the nurses and staff at Karitane Baby Hospital, and offers of Christmas fare were received from members of the committee present. For the central and suburban rooms Nurse Allan reported as follows: New cases, 126; visits paid by the nurses to homes, 681. Preschool Times child-

At the ante-natal clinic, Nurse Summers saw 22 new cases, 106 return visits were paid, and 28 casual visits. Eighty cases are under supervision, and one visit was paid to a home. October proved a busy month for the nurses, as so much sickness such as whooping cough and bronchitis complicated their work. The convalescence of the preschool children from these maladies was greatly helped by the use of Karil, and the nurses could not but notice the striking improvement shown in these cases. Nurse Summers was granted her annual leave and Nurse Garland was relieving in the office while Nurse Allan took charge of the ante-natal clinic It was decided to exhibit the set of suitable clothing for the pre-school

child, made by the nurses, at the conference. For the outstations, Nurse Davies reported as follows:

At Sumner Nurse Wilson saw 32 adults, 27 babies, and 3 pre-school children, and at Bedcliffs 30 adults, 29 babies, 10 pre-school children. Visits paid to homes were 26 at Sumner and 10 at Bedcliffs. For Karitane Baby Hospital the matron reported 16 babies admitted, 10 discharged, 17 in hospital. Eight mothers admitted, 4 discharged, and 4 in residence at the mothers' cottage. The death of a premature baby, one of twins, was reported, eighteen hours after admission. During the month nine premature babies had been admitted. Sister Williams was granted leave of absence and Sister Mackinnon was appointed to relieve on the staff during her absence. Nurses Cook and Muir completed training, and Nurses Devereux, Kemp, and Hewitt commenced training. During the month donations and subscriptions were gratefully received from the following:—Mesdames E. Harris, D. Thompson, F. E. Dodge, McCracken, and O. W. Sandelin.

.Room. visited. Adults . Babies. ren Sydenham ., 9 163 162 35 Papanui 10 263 230 44 Woolston .. 6 69 55 22 Kichmond 5 109 103 16 Opawa S 96 SO 40 Spreydon 4 92 88 20 Kiccarton .. 4 94 85 13 St. Martina .. 5 57 52 16 Suburban total 947 655 206 Central total .. 1073 797 138 Totals 2026 1652 344 Total visits—4022.

Preschool New chihlHome Station. Adults. Babies, cases . ren. viaite. Leeston .. 66 51 4 25 2 Southbridge 12 7 — 8 — Lincoln .. 12 8 1 1 2 Tai Tapu .. 2 2 1 1 2 Hornby ., 18 15 1 3 1 Templeton 18 18 1 4 2 Belfast .. 52 48 4 20 20 Kaiapoi .. 55 4T 2 19 15 Totals .. 235 196 14 80 44