ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20328, 29 August 1931, Page 6

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

WORK OP THE WEEK. During the week the St. John Free Ambulance service responded to S3 calls; all but one of the cases required transport to hospital. Twelve of the cases were treated for fractures resulting mostly from street accidents. The greatest number of calls received on any one day was eight, on Monday. * * * Some interesting figures in connexion with the work done by members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade," while attending at sports and other gatherings on Saturday afternoons, have just been published by the Chief Commissioner for New Zealand (Colonel G. Barclay). Returns were called for a particular Saturday afternoon recently, and the information shows that 193 sports grounds were staffed by brigade mem bers throughout the Dominion, 418 members of ambulance and nursing divisions being on duty, and 929 cases of first-aid wore attended to. Ambulance Divisions. Members of the Christchurch Men's Division met on Wednesday evening, at the brigade rooms, in Gloucester street. There were 22 members on parade, under Superintendent W. Wootton, and after the business of the evening, firstaid tests were carried out by the members, in competition style and exactness. This work was followed by stretcher drill under the superintendent. The secretary reported progress in connexion with the concert which is being organised in aid of the uniform fund.

The Christchurch Railway Ambulance Division held their regular weekly, parade in the Railway Social Hall, Carlyle street. The work of the evening consisted of practical and oral, on pressure points, and the arresting of hemorrhage. Various members were detailed for public duty for the week, and the report of the previous week showed that 82 cases had received first-aid attention, and three had been transported to hospital.

Members of the No. 3 Ambulance Division held their weekly parade on Thursday evening. There was an attendance of 17 members, and Superintendent F. Ashworth presided. After the public duties had been arranged, the division assembled for a lecture given by Dr. Aitken on- tuberculosis—its signs, symptoms/ and treatment. At the close of the lecture the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

Nursing Divisions. The ''Haeremai" Club-met at their rooms in Lincoln road. Mr Garrard, the new officer in charge, presided, and gave a very helpful talk on pressure points, and the treatment for burns. Mrs J. Marshall was elpcted secretary of the club, and before closing the meeting the Tesults of the recent examination-of members were made known. * * * Members of the Christchurch Nursing Division met on Monday evening in the brigade rooms. The lady superintendent presided over an excellent attendance of members, and after the usual parade and inspection, arrangements were made for public duties on the St. John Free Ambulance and various sports grounds. The work of the evening consisted of roller bandaging, and later Nurse Oruden gave a very interesting lecture on infectious disease's. At the close of the;address Nurse Cruden was cordially thanked by the members.

The members and cadets of the No. 1 Girl Guide Nursing Division paraded on Tuesday evening at the brigade rooms in Gloucester street. _ Miss G. Donaldson, acting-lady superintendent, was in charge of the meeting, and before proceeding with the work of the evening the opportunity was taken of introducing to the Cadets, Miss G. M. Marsden, ,the newly-appointed Cadet officer. Dr. P. J. Borrie (assistant commissioner) was present at the meeting, and gave a very interesting and instructive lecture on signs, symptoms, and the care in nursing of pneumonic cases. The usnal duties on the St. John Free Ambulance were arranged before closing the meeting.

Members of the Selwyn Nursing Division held their weekly parade on Tues day evening in the brigade rooms. Mrs Angus, lady superintendent, presided a good attendance, and after the weekly duties had been arranged, for ambulance and sports grounds, roller bandaging was engaged in. Later in the evening the divisional surgeon. Dr. Jessie Scott, attended, and gave tests in first-aid in drowning, poisoning, and burns—members showing a marked progress in the knowledge of their work.

The Lyttelton Nursing Division met in the Lyttelton Building Society's rooms. Miss Ferguson, lady superintendent, was in charge of the parade, and after the inspection, Mr F. Budd district officer, took over and put members through general transport duties Owing to a difficulty in obtaining the rooms, the next meeting will bo held on Monday, August 31st.