SMALLPOX AND FEVER.

Evening Star, Issue 11896, 26 May 1903, Page 4

SMALLPOX AND FEVER.

A TEMPORARY HOSPITAL AGREED UPON. A PERMANENT ONE TO BE ERECTED LATER. A conference of 'mayors wna held at the Town Hall at noon to-day to consider the question of an infectious diseases hospital. The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr T. Scott) was in the choir, and there were also present Mayors J. Annand (Mornington), J. Wilson (Oaversham), J. Gore (St. Hilda), J. Chetwin (South .Dunedin), J. Evans (North-east Valley), P. 0. Cray (West. Harbor), Or Hally (Dunedin), and Cr Robertson (Maori Hill). The Health Department was represented by the Acting Chief Health Officer (Dr Valentine) and Dr, Ogston, District Health Officer.

The Mayor explained that ho had called them all together for one reason, that Df Valentine, the Acting Chief Health Officer, was in Dunedin, and had waited for the meeting. They all knew that there was a case of smallpox in Dunedin. The doctor was thoroughly satisfied that it was smallpox, and the question they had to face was what provision they should make for any similar cases should they arise. He had gone into the matter during the last two days, and he suggested they should use the Quarantine Island. Dr Valentine and himself went down to the island yesterday, but it could only be used, he understood, as a temporary measure. For each borough to go into the question separately would be a great mistake, because from the information ho (the mayor) had anything that was done would be of a temporary nature, and the building would have to be destroyed afterwards. It could not be used as an infectious diseases hospital. There was also another matter to be considered. A hospital for smallpox eases must be a quarter of.a-mile away from where people lived, or were employed. It was different altogether from scarlet fever, inasmuch as the germs were carried in the air. The question for them to decide was what they should do as one united body. Ho thought they could get the ground at the rifle range, Pelichet Bay. The doctor, in fact, had taken steps to have that piece of ground on the far side of Lake Logan gazetted for the purpose, and handed over at once. The City Council were agreeable to transfer a piece of land which was bringing in £SO a year in exchange for the piece of land at Luke Logan. Until the Government gazetted that piece of laud for the purpose of an infectious diseases hospital they could do nothing, for they would be liable in the way of actions by owners of adjoining properties for depreciation of their properties, but when once iho Government gazetted it no action could be taken. That was what had kept them back from doing something with it, before. The building that the doctor recommended could be put up would not cost more than £2OO. It would, of course, only be a. temporary one, and would be built of corrugated iron, lined with tarred paper. The Health Department could compel them to build, but Dr Valentine had no wish to do that. His desire was to assist the municipalities, and to save them any unnecessary expense. Dr Valentine said .that, as representatives of the Dunedin and suburban councils, there was no necessity for him to remind them whit their responsibilities were in a matter of this kind. They did not want to talk about acts, but to take action at once. They had an epidemic of scarlet fever. There were cases in the hospital, and it was pretty general all over the colony. There was also every reason to believe that they would have more cases to deal with. So much for scarlet fever. Then they had (although he did not want to cause any alarm) the possibility of an outbreak of ‘smallpox. He was sure they would all agree with him that provision for these two epidemics must be made immediately. As the mayor had said, he had inspected one or two sites, - and he thought that the site at Pelichet Bay would bo the most suitable. Ho would take measures to get the land taken over by the Government as sood as possible. As to the cost in the first instance for accommodation for scarlet fever cases, the department did not want to put local bodies to more expense than was absolutely necessary. He should say that ample accommodation could be provided for twenty-five beds at a cost not exceeding £3,000. Of course, the Government would pay £ for fl subsidy, so that the cost for the local bodies would be about £1,500. With regard to the smallpox accommodation, he had had a sketch drawn out in Christchurch recently of a small hospital, as described by the mayor, which would cost £2OO. Hfe (the doc tor) proposed that they. should make accommodation for smallpox cases immediately, and that they at once take‘steps to provide accommodation for scarlet fever cases. Of course, it was a pity that in the middle of an epidemic they should have to take measures to cope with diseases, because precautions taken in epidemic times were naturally more costly than in other times.

Mr Annand said that he had thought that Dr Valentine would explain why Quarantine Island would not do.

Dr Valentine said that at present there were thirty cases of scarlet fever on the island. He was quite willing, on behalf of the department, to meet them in every possible way, but even if provision could be made on the island it would be only a temporary measure to meet the local bodies at tbe present time.

Mr Annand asked if the buildings would have to be destroyed after they had accommodated smallpox patients. Dr Valentine: A wooden building would undoubtedly have to bo destroyed after a case had been in it, but with a properlyconstructed hospital this would not be so. This was no time, he went on, for inaction, and no time for red tape. They must make an effort, and the success of the whole thing depended upon the promptitude with which cases could be removed to the hospital, and on their all uniting together, and working without friction.

Mr Annand still wanted to know why smallpox cases could not be treated on the Quarantine Island until they could erect a permanent building. If one was to be built at Logan Point then it would be well to build it, but he did not see why they should throw away £2OO. He thought that cases might be treated on Quarantine Island in the meantime, and then as soon as the Government consent was obtained they could set about tho erection of a permanent building.

Mr Wilson said that he, too, was opposed to spending £2OO on a temporary building. At a meeting of .mayors, held recently, it had been estimated that a building sufficient for the requirements of Dunedin and suburbs could be erected for £350. This ■was the estimate of Dr Coughtrey, who had gone into tha matter with them, and who would, no doubt, have laid the position before them again if they had invited him to the meeting. He thought that a temporary building should not cost more than £BO, and he did not see, according to Dr Coughtrey’s advice, that there was any need to spend £3OO as suggested. Dr Valentine said that a corrugated iron building, lined inside, with accommodation for four patients, a nurse, and a range, would cost £,150. The utmost cost to flie local bodies for a permanent building would be £1,500, the Government paying £ for £. He was quite certain, with aU due respect to Dr Coughtrey, that he could not erect such a bnilding as he suggested for £3OO, and lie could assure him that tents (which had been suggested) were very uncomfortable things for patients. They had tried them in the North, and they were matters of considerable anxiety to the doctors. Furthermore, the tents for one patient at Bottle Lake cost more than a corrugated iron building. He must emphatically state that they could not get accommodation for scarlet fever cases in Dunedin for £350. In reckoning the amount of nccomm slation for infectious diseases for a town, they calculated on one to every 1,000 of population, but, acting on Dr Ogs ton's previous experience of epidemics in Dnnedi’i, they now proposed to make provision for a minimum of twenty-five patients, (L-eming that sufficient. They did not want any fancy buildings, but they did want aminmodation, and whether it was an hen building or an ornate hospital rested with the local bodies. People talk*! v> ry ghhiy about the cost of infectious diseases kn.s-' thegr did not consider the fine-

tion of the cost to the community. It would be impossible to estimate the cost of the present epidemic of scarlet fever. They must consider the enforced idleness of bread-winners, who Were prohibited from going about their work and so on. “I beg you,” he' - said in conclusion, “ to consider that side of the question.” Mr Gray said he thought that the Government and the Health Department ought to be commended for the prompt steps they were taking, and that thanks were also due to Dr Valentine for waiting to confer with them on this matter. He thought that the department ought to meet the local bodies in the way of keeping expenses as low as possible. He believed -that the Quarantine Island might do, and, with all due respect, he would like to say that he did not think they needed the Health Department to enforce upon them the necessity for a permanent infectious diseases hospital. He urged that, if possible, the Quarantine Island might be made suitable, and that the class of buildings to be erected and the question of cost he gone into. He thought that Mr Wilson was quite wrong in regard to Dr Coughtrey’s estimate. He thought it was something like £2.000, and that what Mr Wilson had tot hold of was annual cost or something of that sort. It would be very undesirable for any of the boroughs to attempt to provide accommodation independent of ono another. Dr Ogston said that there were difficulties in regard to Quarantine Island. • The water was so low that it could only bo approached at low water by a boat The Mayor : Mr Moss can get his steamer in all right. Dr Ogstop said that the exposure a patient suffering from smallpox would endure going down the harbor was sufficient to nearly kill any patient. They could noi take them there in bad weather. It was also a Very bleak place, and smallpox patients had to be taken great care of against the cold. Then the approach to the building was by a very steep path. Dr Valentine agreed that the island was not a suitable place for smallpox, on account of the difficulties of transport. However, he was perfectly willing to meet local bodies and to do his best to see that patients we*e accommodated on the island if the local bodies gave him their assurance ?hat they would pat up an infectious diseases hospital right away. The department would supply them with all plans and particulars of the actual requirements. It would not cost the local bodies more than £1,500.

Mr Gore thought that the difficulty could be got over if a temporary hospital were erected fot £2OO. Then they could look round for a site for a permanent one. Mr Wilson moved—“ That the time has arrived when the city and suburban councils erect a permanent infectious diseases hospital, and that the several mayors report to a meeting to be held in a fortnight, with the sanction of the various councils, to take immediate stops for the erection of such a hospital.”

Sir Gray seconded the motion, and asked Dr Valentine if that would suit him. The doctor replied in the negative. The Mayor said that his opinion had always been that the whole of this thing should be thrown on the Hospital Board a that municipal bodies should have anything to do with if.—(Hear hoar.) ’

Mr Cray pointed out to Dr Valentine that the mayors were only present os the representatives of the various boroughs, and until they consulted their councils uiev could not say anything .definite. They did not know but that some borough might erect a hospital themselves. Dr Valentine: We are face to face with an epidemic of scarlet - fever, and we may have cases of smallpox. I want to know definitely what your various local bodies will do for any case of smallpox that may arise. J

.Mr Chetwin: It is only a scare. Dr Valentine: I wish I could say that with as much confidence as you. The Mayor: 1 understand you are prepared to make provision at Quarantine Island for smallpox patients? Dr Valentine: Yes, provided you give me the assurance of local bodies that you "’ill Lake immediate steps to erect a permanent hospital. The Mayor: None of the mayors have power to commit thoir Councils In a matter of this kind until they arc called together.

Mr Evans suggested that the doctor should accept the motion. Ho was sure that all the Councils would fall in line. Cr Hally Said that so far as the City Corporation were concerned thoj would lose no time in acting in the matter, but there was a necessity for Councils making some temporary provision at the present time to meet a smallpox epidemic should it break out.

Dr Valentine said that he was willing to meet them in eveiy possible way. He wanted them to do this thing deliberately and with their eyes open, because a permanent hospital was absolutely necessary. Tie would make the best arrangements possible for smallpox patients at the island—(hear, hear) — if they agreed to recommend their Councils to proceed with the erection of a permanent hospital at mice. The motion was then carried, and it was agreed to hold the next meeting on Mnr day night >week.

. We have been requested to state that the absence of a representative from the Roslvn borough at the Conference was due to the notice haying been inadvertently left at the residence of the mayor (Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R.), who is at present outside the colony Had the notice been left at the Council Chamber or with the deputy-mayor the latter would have attended.