HOSPITAL BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 144, 22 May 1925, Page 10

HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The meeting of the Hospital Board was concluded after the “Standard” went to press yesterday afternoon. The medical superintendent (Dr. G. A. Forrest) reported that, at tho end of March, there were 169 patients in hospital ; 160 were admitted during April, lbl were discharged, and 14 had died, leaving 154 at the end of April. The daily average number was 120.9. Sixty-two operations had been performed. Eighteen coses of infectious disoase had been admitted as follow: Anterior poliomyelitis 10, diphtheria 3, phthisis 5. The appointment of Mr L. Cooper, of Wellington, as bacteriologist was recommended,. and ho could begin work her© on June B.—Adopted, Mr Cooper being appointed,

MATRON’S REPORT. The matron submitted a list of the young Indies who had assisted in the wards during the infantile paralysis epidemic. Mrs L. A. Abraham’s help had been invaluable, the report stated, ae she had secured the voluntary assistance and organised it so that for somo months two, and often four of these ladies had given their services for several hours daily. It was desired that each of the volunteers be thanked by the board. The list of helpers was as follows: Misses Warren, O. and D. Haggitt, Thwaites, G. Fitzlierbert, Cole, M. Fitzherbert, E. ahd M. Coombs, Litchfield, Pacey, Mayes, Gibbs. Gaustad, K. Gaustad, M. Bendall, Laurenson (2), Nairn, Harwood and Mrs Keeble. Emergencies: Mesdames Burnnrd and Wilson, Misses Aiken, McCulloch, Jones, McGill, Danieli, Abraham, Loughnan, Seifert. Parsons, Clarke and Harwood. —The report was adopted and Mrs Abraham and tho Y.A.D.’s cordially thanked for their splendid services.

AWAPUNI HOME. The matron, Awapuni Home, reported that) on April 30, there were 36 inmates at tho institution —29 males and 17 females. —Adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. From the department advising that the board’s 1925-26 estimates as follows had been approved:—Maintenance levy £13,521 17s 2d ; maintenance subsidy at 14s in the £l, £9465 6s; total, £22,987 3s 2d; capital levy £3725; capital subsidy £3725; total £7450. —Received.

From the aeting-Director-General of Health concerning the international agreement about the treatment of seamen suffering from venereal diseases. The gist of the agreement was that all the contracting parties, of which Now Zealand was one, undertook to provide and maintain at each principal sea or river port venereal diseases services. The department wtould reimburse hospital boards for treatment given under the scheme.—Received.

From tho Director-General of Health concerning dental treatment in hospitals and requesting that a policy be adopted of limiting the work 60 dono to what was necessary purely from a health piont of view, for work was often done which was not only unnecessary from a masticatory point of view but tended to render the mouth ur-hygieoic. The only excuse for such dentures was from the aeslhetio point of view.—The letter was received there being no dental department at Palmerston North. From the Palmerston North Borough Council stating that it regretted that it could not undertake the construction of a footpath on tho west side of Terrace street from the hospital gates to tho north end of the board’s prcipdfty during the present financial, year, it was decided tc> again requost the council to carry out the work.

DISTRICT NURSES’ REPORTS, The- secretary of the District Nursing Guild, Palmerston North, reported that, during April!, Sister Watson paid 81 visits to 30 patients, one of whom had been sent to hospital. The secretary of tho District Nursing Fund, Feeding, reported that Sister Sugden had paid during tho month 207 visits to 28 families. The district nurse report from Mangahao stated that there had been a good deal of mild sickness during the month, which had been a very cold one. Influenza and colds, rheumatism and bronchitis had been prevalent. One case of scarlet fever was reported. Several cases of poisoned fingers, feet, etc., had occurred. GENERAL. 11 The following were appointed an executive committee; Mrs Abraham and Messrs Nash, Vincent, Brarnwell, Collis, Smart, Murdoch and Pycrol't. In reply to Mr Nash, the secretary said that it had already been decided to place by patients’ beds a card giving their name and religion. It was decided to consider giving also the name of any friendly society to which the patient belonged for the benefit of visitors.

On the motion of Mr Nash it was decided that, as a preliminary to considering certain extensions to the institution, a return be prepared of tho number of nurses at the hospital and the number of patients per nurse.