VISITORS FROM INDIA

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22003, 29 January 1937, Page 2

VISITORS FROM INDIA

ESTABLISHED A HEALTH

SANATORIUM

PLUNKET METHODS INTRODUCED

Life in a town of Northern India is not devoid of many modern amenities, nor is it unattractive, according to two.ladies at present spending a holiday in Christchurch. They are Dr. B. J. Allen, an American, and Miss E. Kramer, a Dutch nurse. Miss Kramer has lived in India since 1919, and Dr. Allen since 1907. In an interview with a representative of "The Press" yesterday they described some of their work in that country. Miss Kramer was interested in the Plunket system several years ago, and took a training course in London in 1926. She was the first person to introduce the system in India, where it is gradually becoming more popular. A training centre was established in Ludihiana, and since that time she has maintained her interest in the methods —so much so that she intends to take a refresher course in Dunedin before going back to India. Dr. Allen and Miss Kramer have lived for some time in Musoorie, at an altitude of 7500 feet, and they conduct a health sanatorium there. They believe in dietary treatment, and concentrate on the correct proportions of four essentials—light, water, sun, and diet. The sanatorium was opened primarily for the treatment of white people, but now there are as many high caste black patients. "Malnutrition is very bad throughout India," said Miss Kramer. "This is probably partly through the poor quality of the soil. "Almost everybody suffers from malaria at some time or another. Although a cure was recently found, the treatment has to be given each time the infection breaks out. Because of the action of the malaria on the bloOd, many people in India are anaemic." Dr. Allen said that the mortality rate of babies was the highest in the world. Miss Kramer said that the low marriage age, and the ignorance of the young mothers were important contributing factors to this state of affairs. "The nursing profession is going ahead as the Hindu caste is breaking down," she said. "This breaking-down of caste is very noticeable. Fifteen years ago no Brahmin would have eaten a meal we prepared for him. In many cases now, Brahmins will sit with and eat meals prepared by others." Miss Kramer was convinced that Gandhi had done a lot of good in this and other ways. Many changes have come to Northern India in the fast few years, and not the least of them is in the mode of transport. When Dr. Allen was first in India she was carried in a dhandi — the equivalent of a rickshaw —supported on the shoulders of four or six carriers, who took turns. Now they can travel in modern cars. In the evenings they can attend one of the three picture theatres at Musoorie, go to a cabaret, or listen-in to the Delhi radio station, or, on short-wave, to London and America.

Dr. Allen visited New Zealand five years ago. She and Miss Kramer .intend to sail in April for America, before returning to India.

COMiNG-OF-AGE PARTY

Mr and Mrs J. Anderson, of Prebbleton, gave a dance to celebrate the coming-of-age of -their eldest daughter, Elizabeth. The parish hall was crowded with friends of the guest of honour, and a pleasant evening was spent. There were several novelty dances, which were won by Mrs H. Skinner and Mr J. Anderson, Miss Nancy Gallagher and Mr R. Prebble, Miss Nancy James and Mr L. Gallagher, Miss Rhona Jellie and Mr D. Partridge. Miss Vonnie Smith danced two tap dances and Mr Reg. Wood was the pianist. Miss V. Kolkman played for extras, and a competition was won by Miss V. Davison and Mr A. Partridge. Miss Anderson was presented by her father with the customary ,gold key Mr E. Davison was the master of ceremonies.

Mr and Mrs Anderson's guests were Mr and Mrs Blain, Mr and Mrs J. Glassey, Mr and Mrs G. Glassey, Mr and Mrs C. Glassey, Mr and Mrs W. Downey, Mr and Mrs W. Kolkman, Mr and Mrs G. Hastie, Mr and Mrs H. Prebble, Mesdames L. Gallagher. Collins. H. Skinner. W. Hands, Misses Elizabeth Anderson. Linda Anderson, Joan Anderson, June Anderson, Patricia Anderson, Joyce Kolkman, Violet Kolkman, Rhona Jellie, Marcella Smith, Patricia Bell, Mavis Smith, Margaret Barr, Gladys Baker. Daphne Partridge, Millicent Tod, Bertha Hartnell, Hilda Carpenter, Edna Carpenter, Gladys Johns, Molly Scobie, Imelda McDrury, Daisy Rogers. Edna Rogers, Margaret Sparks, Doreen Smith, Patricia McNamara, Kathleen Tod, Rhona Tod, Renee Gallagher, Win- , nie Gallagher, Ivy Saunders, Cora Saunders, Frances Hamilton, Louie Baker, Edna Carpenter, Vonnie Smith, Nancy James, Nancy Gallagher, Aileen Gallagher, Violet Collings, Leah Drayton, Doris Habgood, Stella Dow, Peggy O'Neill, Isabel Martin, Milly Allen. Naino McNamara, Lucy McNamara. Violet Davison, Gladys Davison, Margaret Marnell, Phyllis Bennett, Eileen Marnell, Pauline Ealem, Messrs J. Anderson, jun., T Anderson. E. Davison, Ealem. J. Glassey, I. Pike, K Gallagher, J. Eden. F. O'Neill. J. Hill, A. Linptafle, E. Harding, R. Prebble, J. Alderson, A. Hansen, W. Hanna, D. Port, R. Gallagher, G. Gallagher, R. Mcintosh, J. Glassey, B. Allen, D. Barr, J. Barr, H. Kennedy, F. Gallagher, L. Gallagher, W. Davison, D. Partridge, A. Partridge, L. Pickering, F. Ford, T. Alderson, V. Russell, R. Smith, A. Riordan. S. James, W. Scobie, R. Cherry, C. Watson. L. Carpenter, G. Mugford, A. Johnson, F. Tutton, S. Scobie. V. Leeming, D. Ash, W. Ealem, R. Rogers, C. Stuart, J, Pethig, R. Mcintosh, C. Devine, L. Pike, O. McDrury, J. Marnell, and A. Habgood.

WOMEN'S DIVISION OF

FARMERS' UNION

STYX BRANCH

Mrs Low presided at the monthly meeting of the Styx branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union, held in the Northcote Hall. Those present stood in silence as a mark of sympathy with three members recently bereaved. The Rev. F Brittan gavq ah interesting talk on "The Early Days in Canterbury" and was accorded a vote of thanks. Competitions were won as follows:—Tumbler of flowers, Mrs Low; single bloom, Mrs Stoddart; sponge roll, Mrs Spencer 1. Mrs Stoddart 2: article made from loz wool, Mrs Smith 1, Mrs Spencer 2. The hostesses for. the afternoon were Mesdames Stoddart, Spencer, and Smith.