T.B. Among Nurses

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 40, 17 February 1938, Page 7

T.B. Among Nurses

BOARD CHAIRMAN REFUSES OPEN DISCUSSION Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 16. Stating that he refused to be stifled in his idemand for public airing of the question of the incidence of tuberculosis among nurses and hospital staffs generally, Dr. J. P. Hastings had a sharp brush with the chairman of the Aucjkland H ospital Board, the Rev. W. C. ■Wood, nt yesterday’s meeting. “The medical superintendent has stated that the incidence of tuberculosis among nurses is very low but I want to report in connection with the nurses and all the staff that this is a matter agitating the whole medical world,” said Dr. Hastings. Mr W ood: Discussion along these lines in open board would be very dangerous. A report is being prepared by the lady superim ;cndent. Dr. Hastings: You can’t stifle me. This is a question that should be discussed openly. Dr. E. B. Gunson: If a report is being prepared, it is scarcely fair to discuss it now. There is no question of stifling. Mr. Wood: There is no thought in my mind oJ: stifling. Dr. Hastings: There undoubtedly ij, sir. Mr. Wood said that Dr. Hastings’ remarks had arisen out of the report of the lady superintendent of nurses, and there was no question of tuberculosis in the report. Dr. Hastings: That is mere quibbling to keep me from saying what I want to say. Dr. Hastings, who was eventually ruled ou t of order, concluded by saying that he had been most unfairly dealt with and by protesting against the chairman’s ruling.