WESTLAND HOSITAL DIETARY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1936, Page 7

WESTLAND HOSITAL DIETARY

I 'To the Editor). Sir, —On June 11, I drew your attention to the drastic condemnation levelled by Or Ulric Vvilliams, of Wanganui, against hospital diet in New Zealand. I pointed out that as the Westland Hospital is one of the obi jects of this criticism, and as the criticism has been given wide publicity and comes from an authoritative source, the Board should publicly answer the charges. I suggested that an eli'ectivc way of doing this would be the publication in your columns of a set of representative menus. 1 regret to note that the Hospital Board has ignored my proposal. The desired information, however, lias been supplied us, apparently from first-hand knowledge, by a public-spirited correspondent, “Praecoh.” As the Board lias made no comment, we are justified, 1 think, in assuming that the following, which 1 quote from “Praecon’s” letter, ir- a true picture of the Westland Hospital dietary. , Breakfast: Porridge with milk, white bread, butter, one or two fingers ol toast (if requested), one sausage or rissoles and tea. 10.30 a.in. : one cup ol soup with luicrusted white bread m dainty cubes (loz). Dinner: (two course) meat (or fisli tli ree times per week), potatoes, carrots or parsnips or cabbage ,(rare)(’ p-dding, no liquid (water if requested). 2.30p.m.: one- clip of tea only. Teh : iish (or meat) white h’read, butter (jam, extra), tea. 7.30: one cup oh cafe au lait onfy. During the night, milk, tea or water could bo obtained on request. ‘‘Praecon” added these notes: “Green vegetables—only cabbage or leaks, alternatively, twice per week ; eggs —not on general menu, but cooked and served, if supplied by patients ; bread brown, very limited supply or none : puddings—generally of the starch variety, with apple pie or tinned fruit twice per week; meat—bacon (none) sausages, one, (no alternative), mutto” or beef, rissoles (breakfast); fruit: no raw fruit, (supplied bv patients ; cocnr none, unless on diet; biscuit---none, (supplied by patients for afternoon tea or evening cof f oe)-; cake—none, (sup 1 p’iod Kv patients). I now quote from a letter J re reived from Dr Williams t-e '"'bom j wrote asking for a criticism of tlw.did ary, and who Ims given nio \ ormisvnto make this in" of his common b p Ii• writes; “Tf the diet described by u Pr io' - ,on ’’ is a reasonably accurate outline of that supplied in the Wes(!u>n' ■Hospital then it is n verv nearly t’wfoel illiu-ti at. ion of the variety I referred |

to as “appalling.” It is composed almost exclusively of acid-forming foods, and even if these are all quite good quality there is an almost complete absence of the counter-balancing alkaline element. Such a diet is not capable of maintaining even a strong body in health indefinitely. Sooner or later one living upon such a diet must begin to show signs of deterioration clue to chronic acid poisoning. . . . Bad as such food always is, even for those still in reasonably ' good health, it is positively dangerous to those whose systems are weakened by disease. . . .

Sufferers are sent into hospital for “observation,” apid not infrequently operated upon and doped vvhile still fed with the very samo type ■ of food whch is really responsible for t u eir symptoms. In a large proportion of such cases a little eliminative treatment with correct feeding and sensible general habits is all that is required to restore the patients to health.” Comment from me upon Dr Williams’ criticise is scarcely necessary, but 1 shall add that in diet there is a grave deficiency of vitamins. Mineral salts and roughage are also present in very moderate quantities. In fart, such a diet would receive 'unequivocal condemnatio" frojm any competent student of modern dietatics.

Xow what are we to think of the men who compose the Westland Hospital Board, ox the men who arc responsible for.this grave state of affairs? cam any excuse be found for their to.eration of a dietetic regime, calculated to defeat the very aims of the hospital treatment itself? ! can think of none. In fact, I am driven to but one conclusion, and if the expression of that'./ conclusion pains these gentlemen, I . can only reply that such pain is trivial compared with the pain which they, deliberately or unwittingly, are infretnig upon the patients in Westland Hospital. I write this letter actuated by a lesire to assist in the. amelioration of he Jot of the sick. Am 1 being unreasonable in suggesting that such motives should animate its all, even Hospital Boards? And if the Westland Hospital Board refuses to f 'ee the charges made by Dr Williams, what shall wo think of it? T imagine I can leave- it to the citizens of Westland to answer for themselves. T am et°..

WM. L. BOBKRTSOX Hokitika. July- 20.