PICTON HOSPITAL.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VI, Issue 1009, 17 July 1883, Page 4

PICTON HOSPITAL.

Dr Orabham, the Inspector of Hospitals, in his annual report, thus refers to the Picton institution

I have this day inspected the hospital at Picton in every part, seen the whole of the grounds, and conversed with the patients. I had also an interview with the Medical Officer, Dr. Scott, and afterwards with a member of the Committee (the President was away from home.) The situation is excellent. The building stands in about seven acres of land, and faces the north. A portion of the estate is a paddock, which is let to a tenant, and is gradually being Cleared of scrub. Part of the remainder is utilized as a kitchen and fruit-garden, with walk and seats (sheltered) for the patients. The building is a wooden one of two storeys, with verandah and balcony in front. It is roofed with corrugated iron, and is in fair repair, though some of the external boarding is perishing where it is in contact with the ground, and painting is required generally. There are four wards, which can accommodate twentyfour beds ; a good kitchen, scullery, larder and store-closet; also a surgery and bath-room. In a detached building are the mortuary, laundry, lavatory, coal-shed, and tool-house ; also three privies. I here is a good water-supply from a reservoir on the hills, which was constructed for railway use. In case of a fire a pump wi.l force water from a well through indiarubber bose. of which three 30-feet lengths are provided. The ventilation is by large sash-windows, and there is a ventilator in the wall of one of the female wards upatairs. Wood is burned on open hearths. Some coal is used in the kitchener, and here the linen is dried and aired. Kero-sene-lamps are in use. The privies are of the dry-earth style, and are emptied every week, the soil being buried atsomedistance. The water from the kitchen and laundry runs along an open gutter at the back, and finds its way into a small stream at the entrance of the grounds. No cesspits exist; and tho ashes are utilised in the kitchen-garden. The bath-room is on the floor at rear of the hospital. There is a zinc bath, with coldwater supply. Hot water is brought from tiie adjoining kitchen. The bedsteads are of local manufacture,—wooden, with canvas stretchers. Hav mattresses are in use, but do not seem comfortable. There are hair bolsters and feather pillows for the beds which are now in use. The sheets,blankets, and counterpanes were much worn, but scrupulously clean, The ward furniture comprises plain tables and forms for meals ; there arc some Windsor chairs, and one oi two riding and rocking-chairs, but many of these are broken and worn out. No other furniture is in use. There are no floorcoverings, except a small piece of cocoanutfibre matting in the entrance passage. Holland blinds, with rollers, aro provided for the windows. No pictures or ornaments worth mentioning were seen. There is a most excellent library of books for the use Of the patients and nurses : these are kept by the Medical Officer in the surgery, aud given out whenever required. Three newspapers are also provided. The stock of bedding, blankets, and linen is very small, and almost worn out : if it were required to make up ten or twelve beds, more would have to be procured for the purpose. Many of the articles shown to me as being on the inventory should he “ written off as rags. There is no clothing in stock. The garden has been much neglected and overgrown with grass and weeds, but is now by degrees neing got into gooci order am cropped with vegetables. I inspected the food, and found it of good quality. The'dietary is a liberal one (only potatoes have been in use ; but other vegetables will shortly be available). The meals are well cooked and well served, everything being beautifully clean. Extras arc only given by the order of the Medical Officer, who himself serves out any stimulants which may be used. The Medical Oflicer visits the hospital daily. Two members of the Committee make a weekly inspection. Visitors are admitted thrice weekly. The hospital is now in charge of a married couple—Mr W. Hall and wife. They appear to he very suitable people for their position, and the general order and cleanliness do them great credit. The man occupies all his spare time with the. garden. Their salary is L7S a year with rations. They occupy a very small room, about 12 by 9 feet, which they furnish for themselves. At. the time of my visit there were four in-patients, all of the male sex.. One of these is a blind man in good bodily health ; he has been nine months in the hospital. Some efforts are being made to £,,,1 him sen!- to Ireland, bis native country. Two ot the other parents ar- merely infirm olrt ace. amt one o : them matt-a himself very useful (Crosslev. a '-ed 7S )No outpatients attend at present. No complaints of any kind were made to me, but all ex pressed themselves setiified with their treatment. The fencirg of the estate is becoming very dilapidated, end requires extensive repairs. T 1 e hospital requires p unting and coloring. r I ho door of wardsm ill nnd matron’s room r< quires altering so i. open on the lobby uni not into 'he

for females. A 'sink *vith 'eater stipple i- required in the son?lety, ami a c ?o he.s lvn-se is roquhe-. r or drying ami airing elm lies. &c. Sun n additional carpenters’ and garden too s are much needed. 28th November, 18S2,