AUCKLAND DISPENSARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 72, 5 February 1864, Page 4

AUCKLAND DISPENSARY.

"U r E have been requested to publish the following Heport of the Committee for the year ending Slut I/ttcmher, 1863. "In submitting their sixth annual Rcpoit, the Committee ofthc Auckland Dispensary have to observe that at no previous period during the existence of the Institution have its utility and adaptability to relievo the wants of the class for whom it is designed, been more apparent than during the present year. " The calls upon ihe resources of the Dispensary, have increased steadily during the past twelve months, the result, in part, of the large increase of immigration into this province, but also caused, though in a leaser degree, by the means of subsistence of the wives and families of many of those who depend upon manual labour for their support being materially diminished by so many of them being called away from their daily avocations, whilst engaged in the military duties that have devolved upon them. "It will be seen from the Financial Statement by the Honorary Treasurer, that there lias been a slight increase in the amount of subscriptions and donations received during the year. This has enabled your Committee to meet the expenses necessarily incurred in the management of the Institution, and to leave a small balance'inthe hands of the Treasurer. " From the report of your Jlodie.'d Officer it will be perceived'that his duties, as well as those devolving upon Mr. Edson, the compounder of the medicines, have largely increased, and it is a matter of regret to your Committee that the funds at their disposal do not allow of more adequate remuneration being made to those gentlemen for the services rendered by them. "As it is probable that during the ensuing year the applications for relief will be fully oh numerous, if not more so, than hitherto, your Committee would, in conclusion, again earnestly appeal to the liberality of the public for a larger ]>ox-tion of that percuiuary assistance which is absolutely requisite to enable them to carry out, efficiently, the objects of the Institution. "John Buchanan, "Hon. Secretary." The Medical Officer submitted his usual annual report to the meeting, which was adopted. Jlejmrt of the Medical Officer of the Auckland Dispensary for the year ending Ike. '.'As', 18G3. ' "To the Committee fo the Auckland Dispensary. " Gentlemen - ,— During the past, year, owing to the large number of immigrants who have arrived in this Province, the applications for relief at the Dispensary have been vejy numerous, and its benefits have been very much felt by this class of persons, many of whom on their first arrival, are destitute of means, and before obtaining regular employment, are, in the event of illness, unable to procure medical attendance. ■' In consequence also of the Native rebellion, numerous persons from the country districts have taken up their abode in town; having lost their means of support for the time being, many of them have gladly availed themselves of relief afforded by this Institution. " From the above causes the town has been very much overcrowded, in many cases, more than one family occupying the same dwelling house, and in consequence of this, fever and diarrho'a have been common, especially the latter. Dvsoiitry has also prevailed during the last quarter owing partly to the very var/abia state of the weather, which has been unusually wet and changeable. " Daring tie early pnri of Hie year a large number of Maori patients wore admitted, but during the last few months, comparatively few IVlaoris have visited Auckland, and consequently there hits been a iempbrniy felling off in the numbers attended. . " There has been tin increase of itbrmt one-tlnv.l lit 1 tiie iiulriber of patisfli.? uimiUud, eve* ksV ytari

" The number of prescriptions compounded has been verv large, viz, 3,101. ,„ , .. " Tin? number of visits made by me at the homes ol patients lias been largely in excess ot last year, being 1,584. '* In conclusion, I would Y>oj? cnll nttpution to the urgent necessity which exists, fnrthospeedyahatcmeiit of nuisances prejudicial to health wnich abound in the city, and which tend materially to promote disease and undermine the constitution, especially of the , ■working population, ■who r.re mo«t exposed to their | influence. I believe that in many ruses,, habits of j drunkenness tire produced bv person resorting to the I use of ardent spirits, to obviatethephysienl depression, I felt in the svstem in consequence o!' (he constant ! inhalation of (hepestiforouseinanalionswhieh abound, i resulting from the decomposition of sewage matter, which stagnates, and with which the ground is saturated, Hi many of the streets and lanes ot the city. " The number of patients admitted has heeuoll. 11: — "Mrs. A., aged 30 years, from pulmonary consumption. "Mrs. T., aged veal's, from pulmonary consumption. ".T. M., nsred 2-1 years, from pulmonary consumption. "M. K., agisl 10 years, from pulmonary consumption. " All of these cases except one wore in the last stage when admitted. " Two Maoris died from dvsentry, one had been attended by another medical man, and given up as inenrable when T first saw liini. " "\V. P., aged -10 years, from dropsy, an old incurable case. "J. acred .12 years, from pericarditis. This patient died a few horn's after my first visit. " P. P., aired IS months, from diarrhcea. 11 ,T. C., aped 2 veal's, from dysentrv. " P. It., aged 4 months, from inflammation of the lungs. "A. T., acred .1 vears, from disease of brain. M. 0., aged 2-. years, from fever and diarrlwea. " V>~. H., accd 11 years, from disease of spine. " T have. &e„ Thomas H. Kv.xiir.uiHNi:."