" Report of the Medical Officer, for the Year Ending, December 31, 1867.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1306, 22 January 1868, Page 3

" Report of the Medical Officer, for the Year Ending, December 31, 1867.

"To the Committee of tho -Auckland Dispensary. " Gentlemen,—Owing to the continued depression of trade and commerce, and consequently the diminished demand for labour of all kinds, the number of patients who have applied for relief during the year has again increased. The dispensary has become indeed indispensable to meet the requirements of a large class of suffering humanity.for which there is no other provision, and the withdrawal of the aid afforded by this institution would, 1 am sure, be severely felt by the poor, especially at the present time. " The exodus of tho labouring population from Auckland to the Thames goldSslds does not at present seem to have alleviated in any appreciable degree the distress existing in thisci'y; as in tho great nwjority of cases the wives and families of miners are left here, and are supported on Government rations or by charity. Amongst the dispensary patients, I do not think 1 havo meet with a case in which any remittances havo been sent to Bupport tho family of the miner in town During the past year thero* has been no outbreak of any disease of an epidemic character, with tho exception of a slight one of scarlet fever of a mild type, very different from the one which visited us a fow years ago. "There has been a remarkable immunity from typhoid fever, due most probably to tho diminution of the over-crowding of dwelling-liJUjes. which was so common until recently. As usual, diarrhce.\ an dysentery have been very common. " Numerous cases of dyspepsia and debilicy come under troatment, owing, no doubt, to the of sufficient nutritious food ; tho staplo diet large number of tho poor being bread, tea. and sugar, animal food in any form being quit} a luxury to m my. " !he number of patients during the year was 1,192, the number of visits at the houses of pitient*, 1,951; the number of prescriptions compounded, 6,974 ; the number of deaths, 23. " E.S., aged 2 years died from dysentery; J.C, aged 19 months, aied from dvsenU-iy; J.L., a~od 2 month*, died r rom diarrhcea ; 1t.0., aged 2 mont h<>, died from diarrhcoa ; Mrs. A., aged SO years, diwase of the liver and dropsy, incurablo on admissim ; H.D., aged 5 months, inflammation of tho brain ; P.H., aged 4 months, inflammation of tho lungs; E.D., aged 2J years, disease of the brain, incurablo on admission ; 'W. 8., aged 61 years, apoplexy. This patient was in a hopeless state when first seen by me; J.W., aged three weeks, died from convulsions ; J.H., agod 50 years, died from pulmor.ary consumption—an old incurable case; Mrs. L., aged 27 years, died from pulmonary consumption ; C.A., aged 17 years, died of disease of the heart and dropsy, incurable on admission ; E.W., aged 72 years, died of bronchitis and general debility; M., aged 7 weeks, died from dysentery; F. 0., aged 18 years, died from difloase of the brain ; A.T., aged 21 months, died from inflammation of the lungs ; J.J. aged 18 months, died from inflammation of the lungs; H.S., aged 32 years, died from general debility ; H D., aged 68 years, died from disease of the brain, incurable on admission ; K.M.A., aged 9 months, died from celebra congestion; M. A.F., aged 19 years, died from pulmonary consumption, incurable on admission ; W.G., aged 36 years, died from grangrene of the perinnm and thigh, this patient was in a hopeless state when first seen by me.—l have, &c, " Thomas B. Kkndehdinr, " Medical Officer." The statement of accounts was also read, showing a deficiency for the past year of £9 9s. 9d. On the motion of Mr. J. Batger, seconded by Mr. "W. Kattbay, the reports and statement of accounts were adopted and ordered to be printed. Mr. Buchanan said it was a question whether or not it would be worth while appointing a committee' in the present uncertain position of the Society. The Chairman thought it would be the business of the meeting simply to appoint a committee, leaving the question of the Society's continuance for their consideration. The following office-bearers and comrtitteo for 1868 were appointed :—Patron : His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.8.; Chairman : His Honor the Superintendent; Vice-Chairman : Mr. William Rattray; Hon. Treasurer: Mr. W.O, Wilson; Hon. Secretary: Mr. J. Buchanan; Committee: Mesßrs. J. Koberton, p. Darby, C. Canning, J. Batger, P. Dignan, M.P.0., Waiter Ewen, Henry Lewis, G. WebBter, M.P.C., Halyday, G. Turrell, C. Arthur, J. Wiseman; Medical Officer : Mr. T. B. Kenderdine, M.R.O.H.L. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr. Hwcn, on his retirement from the office of treasurer, to Mr. Buchannn for his services as secretary, and to Dr. Kenderdine for his unremitting care and industry as medical officer for the past year. It was arranged that the secretary should convene a meeting of the committee at an early date, in order to tako into consideration the question of continuing or abolishing the Dispensary. A vote of thanks to tho chairman concluded tho meeting.