CARE OF THE SICK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2502, 1 July 1915, Page 6

CARE OF THE SICK

AT TRENTHAM CAMP CRITICISMS ANSWERED STATEMENT BY MR. RHODES QUESTION RAISED IN THE HOUSE. Tho Minister of Publio Health was interviewed by a Dominion reporter yesterday with regard' to tlie strictures mado by Dr: Thacker concerning the Trentham camp. "Yes," said the Minister, "1 have seen Dr. Thacker's strictures, and propose to deal with tlem categorically.- At tho same time I am not sure whether strictures of this description should be taken too seriously because we shall undoubtedly be exposed to a great deal of destructive criticism at this time,, as unfortunately, it is very much easier to criticise the work of efficient and patriotic men than to make practical suggestions for. the amelioration of circumstances that are not altogether within tie control of the human being. Worst Possible Conditions. "For example: Dr. Thacker visited the camp at the worst' possible moment. There had been a considerable rainfall for some days- prior to his visit and none of those dry winds which are usually prevalent in the neighbourhood of Trentham at this time of year, and consequently die condition of tlio camp as regards damp was at its very worst; nevertheless, anyone intimately acquainted with the camp would have been aware that with gravel sub-soil and the drainage provided it can be anticipated that the conditions will .very much improve if we only, get ordinary weather. A great deal has been done recently in improving the surface drainage of the camp. All the drains have Deen well opened up and I may say that the arrangements for improving the surface drainage are well in hand. Arrangements have also been made wing to the courtesy ' and forethought of the Wellington Racing authorities to improve the drying arrangements for the teen's clothes. Arrangements have been put in haiid to improve the drying facilities.

"Dr. Thacker complains that the huts should have been built earlier. In answer to this I may say that 'as soon as the Government were asked to undertake additional obligations and it became apparent that a permanent camp would have to be established the building of huts , was immediately put in hand.

"As regards Dr. Thacker's statement that the men are overcrowded in the tents I may say that only eight ai'e accommodated in the tents, though the iHome authorities arrange for the ao'commodation of no fewer than 16 men in tents of exactly the same size as those'in use at Trentham.,

"Complaints are made eiout tlie damp ground. I would like to know-what part of the Dominion under sucli circumstances would not be damp. Personally, I do not' know, nor do the authorities, nor those respon3iblo know any more suitable place for a camp than that which has been selected. Every provision has been made to counteract the dampn'ess by providing wooden floors for the tents. ' The Tea Kiosk. "Now, as regards the overcrowding of the tea kiosk, I would point out 'that Dr. Thacker can hardly, have appreciated the position, or else lie is inclined to be facetious. The tea kiosk, as anyone who has visited Trentliam racecourse will be aware, is a building that can be absolutely opened up, with a very wide verandah floored with cement. Undoubtedly the beds were\ close together, but as they are all practically in the open air there could be no danger from their being closo together. Nor are any of the oases suffering from septic diseases, as suggested by Dr. Thacker in the House to-day. If you go into any hospital in the Dominion you will find-the beds on the balconies very close together, and much nearer together than would be wise in the wards, but certainly not too near in the open air. Nor does Dr. Thacker realise the fact that the men lie csaw in the kiosk are not hospital patients in the ordinary sense of the word. They are patients suffering from bad colds, which, in the opinion of their medical officers, could be most easily cured by sending them for a few days' rest into the hospital. In civil life these men would not go into hospital at all. The Medical Staff. "Of the 200 men very few could be considered' even seriously ill, hence his suggestions with Te«ard to increasing the medical, and nursing staff were altogether absurd. As a: matter of fact, there are 12 medical officers on duty, in the camp and six nurses and five additional probationers can be procured, should their services be required; It must not be forgotten that 80 orderlies are also in attendance. It is true that some of the'men were lying on beds on the floor, but a sufficiency of beds will shortly be obtainable; in fact,_ by this time almost every man in the kiosk has been provided with a bed. The suggestion that the men are not provided with a sufficiency of bed clothes is simply untrue. In addition to ordinary camp equipment, which is brought with them, there are any amouiifc of blankets available. Moreover, Mrs. Luke, through the Patriotic Committee, has sent all the sheets, pillows, bedding, etc., that are .required. I personally visited the camp on Sunday, and saw the men in the kiosk, and one and all expressed themselves a 6 _ being very much better for sleeping in the open air. Any amount of blankets are available, and not one man complained of the cold. It is the practice in our hospitals to encourage, patients to sleep oil the balconies, and the men in the kiosk aro being treated exactly as those | patients. ' • The Washing Facilities. "Naturally, with the sudden influx of a number of men, tlie washing facilities at the kiosk were not sufficient, but the kiosk' is only regarded, as a receiving hospital, and the patients are drafted to other hospitals if thoir condition is in any way serious. It is true that the medical officers have had plenty to do, but none of them have complained of overwork. Jfore medical officers have been called up, s.iid a P.M.O. for the camp has been appointed.' With regard to Dr. Thacker's statement about a man being carried in ill a semi-conscious condition, what o.ould be expected. The kiosk is used for a hospital, and naturally any man wjio becomes ill in the camp is taken immediately to the hospital, and as I have said before lie is taken 011 to an institution of a more permanent 'nature if the circumstances warrant his removal. ."With regard to .'feeding arrangements, I have carefully inquired into this, and 1 am confident that the men are sufficiently fed, and fed at regular intervals. All observation ward lias been established from the first, .and I am quite confident that tho arrangements for the sick aro improving every hour. The difficulty has been the altogether unexpected number of men requiring some form or another of medical treatment and the obtaining of sufficient beds. Perfected Hospital Arrangements. "In the course of the next lew days I feel certain that our hospital arrangements will be perfected and altogether

above reasonable criticism. As I have said before, it is quite easy to criticise, but when a member of the medical profession goes to a camp hospital and expects all the conditions to be the same as tlioso to be found l in a first-rate general hospital, such criticism is not- reasonable, and is most unfair. The medical officers and men aro doing everything they can for the patients. "However," said the Minister with a smile, "those who have the privilege of knowing Dr. Thaeker -are aware that he is not a man likely to under- state the case, and that it is very doubtful if under such circumstances even lie could have dealt with the matter more effectively, In fact, but for the anxiety that statements of this sort give the men's friends, I would not have thought it worth my while to take Dr. -Thaeker seriously. Not a Time for Recriminations. . "This is 110 the time for recriminations, nor time to add an ache to an already aching heart, but it is a time for action, in unison and a ready recognition, 'that think how we may and prepare how wc may, the unexpected ofteii happens, and we find ourselves beset with difficulties that could not have been foreseen, and such is the case with this large epidemic, But you have heard what J have said, and the people must judge for themselves., So far as I can gather from reports and my own personal observations, our invalids at the camp and in the hospitals—owing to the patriotism and generosity of certain public-spirited persons and tho devotion of the officers —are receiving every possible care audi attention, and it would indeed be a- pity if tho efforts of our officers should be hampered b'y outside interference when every effort on their part should be devoted to the difficult work which they have in hand. We have experienced and devoted officers in control, men who have never failed us. Let us trust them, then, and be careful not to hamper them in their work nor cause additional anguish to those brave fathers and mothers who have 60 splendidly sent their sons to fight in the cause of right and freedom." Notifying Parents. Seen regarding the same matter, Dr. Valintine said that he had put up a notice in the officers' quarters that they were to_ be most punctili< us in answering all inquiries from parents, and they were to imriiediately' communicate with the friends of patients, should their condition become serious He was quite certain that sick men could not remain in their tents without the doctor being notified, for it was the duty of the company sergeant to report all'Euch cases. No doctor would let a mah lie unattended in his tent. He had/also given orders that men well .enough to be discharged from the hospital, but not well enough to go back to their ordinary duty, should go to their homes for four days.- In the cases where the homes could not.be readily reached they were to go into convalescent horres. With regard to the sick parade, a special tent had been provided, 'and sick men were not required to stand in the rain, at the morning sick parades.