AFFLICTED CHILDREN

Evening Star, Issue 22633, 27 April 1937, Page 3

AFFLICTED CHILDREN

THEIR CARE IN HOSPITAL A visit to a hospital, particularly to the children’s ward, is rarely a happy event. The sight of the suffering little ones is invariably a distressing one, yet one which breeds the spirit of sympathy and the desire to do something to alleviate the pain and to improve the lot of those wee helpless patients. Yet, strangely enough, a walk through the ward in the Public Hospital in which are housed the infantile paralysis cases, or most of them, has not that depressing effect. The children here are too young to realise their plight, and, when actual pain is absent for the time being, they appear to be happy enough and, generally speaking, ready to “ make friends with visitors. Some there are, of course, who are too sick to take any notice. These are they to whom one’s heart goes out; their little white, drawn faces showing how deep the injury has gone. Then, in the next bed perhaps, is a lively little mite, who croons and chatters, makes friendly gestures, and demonstrates clearly a desire to be noticed.

Further along the ward is seen a young girl, both her arms held in what appears to be a most awkward position by a framework attached to her body. Over the beds of other patients are wooden,frames from which pulleys and ropes hang. These, of course, are for exercising those children who are as yet unable to leave their beds. Obviously, every care and attention is given to young patients.

A striking feature of the whole thing is the keen personal interest which ia taken in all the cases by the sisters, nurses, surgeons, doctors, masseurs, and everyone else,who is connected with the humanitarian work of bringing these young people back to health. The impression conveyed to the visitor ia that the good people mentioned do not regard their work as a matter of routine, but as a duty cheerfully performed towards “ Tommy ” this or “ Mabel that, personal friends of theirs. Consequently, they have entirely won the confidence of the children, an attitude tremendously helpful both to the physician and to the patient. _ „ The part played by the Crippled Chib, dren Society in this “ back to health campaign amongst the afflicted young people is a large and ' important one, and there can be no question as to the worthiness of such an organisation or its claims for public support. The annual meeting of the society is to be held on Thursday evening nest in the Town Hall Council Chamber, and the executive extends a hearty welcome to all citizens to attend.