CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27533, 15 December 1954, Page 2

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

CORONATION HOSPITAL The Coronation Hospital at the Cashmere Sanatorium was. gaily decorated with bright streamers, vari-col-oured lights, greenery and a beautiful Christmas tree as the focal point when the annual Christmas party was held last evening. The varied programme was provided by Harry Fagin’s Revue Company, with Eric Weston as compere and Lottie Duckworth as pianist. The songs, dances, sketches, piano and piano accordion solos, and particularly the exhibition of juggling, were greatly enjoyed by the . patients, many of whom were in bed, and by the specially' invited guests. These included the representatives of the clergy, the Tuberculosis Association, the North Canterbury Hospital Board and all organisations whose members visit the Sanatorium during the year. After the programme, Dr. I. C. MacI intyre, medical superintendent of I Cashmere Sanatorium, thanked the artists and all voluntary workers who had contributed to. the welfare of pa-

tients during the year. ‘‘There are things in this life thatTcan’t be paid for,” he said, “and sick people greatly appreciate the interest and kindness of voluntary workers.” Dr. Macinytre, who has been connected with the Sanatorium since its earliest days, contrasted the attitude taken towards tuberculosis 30 or 40 years ago and the present day attitude. At one time the disease was considered incurable, but great advances in the knowledge of the disease and in methods of treatment had been made in recent years. Now all patients could look forward to being soon restored to normal health. Dr. Macintyre sounded one warning note. He said there was among some patients the unfortunate belief that chest surgery was the be-all and endall, the complete and immediate cure for tuberculosis. This was not the case. It was one stage in the treatment of the disease, but further treatment in hospital was necessary to complete the cure. “You must still | help yourselves to cure the disease,” he said. “So don’t come to me asking to go home soon after the operation. Take further treatment and avoid trouble later.” Mr P. Stanley Foster, chairman of the public health committee of the hospital board, conveyed good wishes |to the patients on behalf of himself and the board, and Mr B. F. Anderson, secretary of the Tuberculosis Association, spoke briefly of the work of | the association. “We in the association want to help you and we want I you to come to us and tell us your needs. We will gladly do all we can if you will ask us,” he said. The president of the patients’ committee presented a bouquet to Miss I. Savage, matron of the sanatorium, and to the chargp sister at the Coronation Hospital, and thanked all who had worked for the patients during the year.