HOSPITALS REPORT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2645, 11 September 1906, Page 5

HOSPITALS REPORT.

In his report on the hospitals of the colony Dr McGregor refers to the local institutions as follows : Arrowtown : Number treated during the year, 81—53 males, 28 females. Outdoor patients : Individual cases 73, attendances 116. . Subscriptions and donations amounted to £97 17s ; patients' payments to £lB3 18s Bd. Visited 3rd September, 1905—The patients numbered six on the date of visit—s males and one female. Miss McLeod, who has held office for a year, is a capable nurse. lam glad to find that Dr Thomson has decided to remain in charge of the hospital. Queenstown : Number of patients treated during the year 81 —49 males, 32 females. Outdoor patients : Individual cases 39 ; attendances 81. Subscriptions and donations, £73 19s Id ; patients' payments, £2BO 14s lid. Visited 23rd September, 1905.—The outside of the hospital needs painting, and the work is to be put in haud forthwith. The inside is to be distempered. The former matron loft about three months ago and has been succeeded by Miss Clare. The following interesting paragraphs on the subject of the uniforms and dress of hospital nurses also appears in the report: " A few words on the subject of nurses' uniforms has really become necessary. Washing dresses, white aprons, and removable sleeves represent the absolute cleanliness aud neatness together with the freedom of movement required in carrying out the duties of sick nurses. Of late there is, I regret to observe, an increasing tendency for nurses on duty to wenr dangling chains, numerous brooches, rings, etc. Even some hospital matrons adopt this habit. I have counted as many as five brooches worn at the same time by a matron in the North Island. Then, consider the cap. It originated with the idea of covering the hair. Does it do so now I The nurse's cap has shrunk into a small piece of starched linen, crowning an edifice of pads and loose hair. The matrons are wrong iu permitting this, and a surgeon who is properly particular about the scrubbing of hands and arms becomes inconsistent when he submits to untidy heads of hair in the ward and operating room. The Wellington Hospital must be exempted from the foregoing strict-ires. The nurses being trained there are neat and tidy in uniform, and are not allowed to wear hair pads and jewellery whilst on duty."