NURSING AT PORIRUA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1222, 2 September 1911, Page 4

NURSING AT PORIRUA.

STATEMENT BY DR. HASSBLL.

Tho nursing of the patients in til#, recent outbreak of typhoid at Porirttft Mental Hospital is the subject of a statomont by the medical superintendent (Dr. Grey llassell), which was tabled in tho House of Representatives by the Hon. G. Fowlds yesterday. Dr. llassell savs that the statement of the Rev. 11. Van Staveren, at a recent meeting .of tho Hospital Board, that had trained nurses been present nine deaths would not have occurred during tho epidemic at the hospital, is a gross ami unwarrantable reflection upon him in Jna professional capacity as medical ofticer in charge of the institution. Tho nurses and attendants at tho mental hospital have to undergo a course of instruction, and pass a State examination in nursing and tho care of the sick, and tho manner in which they discharged their duties during the epidemic gave ample proof of tho thorough and efficient way in which they had been instructed. Ko mistake was made, and he satisfied that tho nursing of tho typhoid cases was as thorough and efficient as could lrnvo bean found in any public hospital in tho Doniinion. The proportion of deaths—nine in thirty cases—seemed large at iirst sight, but Dr. llassell thinks that, when tho cases are analysed it is surprising that tho mortality was not heavier, tho resistive powers cf the patients belli,? very Jow, in confcquMico 'of their other infirmities. Of thoso that recovered, tho greater number were of l>oor vitality and poor resistive powers. The fact that no bed-sores occurred ho regards as a romarkable evidence of efficiency and devotion to duly oil tho part of the nwrscs, "Mv position as a public servant, _ adds Dr llassell, "prevents me replying ill tho public props to such libellous statements a.s were made at tho recent meeting of tho Hospital Board, but 1 should gladly tako advantage of your permission to tv ; v and, obtain redress in tho civil Courts.' Mr. l'owlds took tho view that tho circumstances did not warrant a civil action, but he thought publicity should be giveu to Dr. Hassoll s statement.