MEDICAL.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 263, 5 February 1848, Page 3

MEDICAL.

Wellington, January 21st, 1848. Sm, — I have the honor to forward to you for the information of His. Excellency the Governor, the accompanying returns of the number of internal and dispensary patients treated at the Colonial Hospital here since it was opened, and in doing so I will crave His Excellency's attention to the following brief sketch of the present state and prospects of the establishment. The Wellington Colonial Hospital was opened on the lfrth day of September, 1847 ; it ia a building of two story high, and comprises on the ground floor a good Surgery, one Ward capable of holding four patients, or in case of emergency, six, a large Store Room, one smaller and a Water Closet. Behind the Hospital there is a temporary wooden Kitchen and Servants' fiooni. At the top of the first flight of stairs there is a Steam Bath Eoom, with Shower Bath and a room adjoining in which the patients sweat after being in the Steam. On the upper story there is a large Ward capable of containing eight patients, but in case of emergency it will hold ten ; there is in addition a small Ward for two people, a smtill Store Boom leading to a large Cistern and a Water Closet. This building is of brick plastered with Roman cement outside, the plan being made for the addition of two large wings, which at a future time will properly speaking constitute the Hospital, the present part being then used (as intended) principally as offices and nurses' apartments. The greater number of the cases at first taken in were those of disease in its most aggravated and chronic form, and consequently required a long time, with great care and attention, to produce any effect on them. I have now great satisfaction in stating that many of those cases at first admitted, more for ] the purpose of alleviaton than cure, have, under a proper and regulated system of treatment, which i alone could be adopted and carried out in an Hos pital, so far recovered as to astonish me and produce grateful feelings in the minds of -the sufferers. I have also now no hesitation in stating that from the short time I have been acting in medical charge I have had sufficient data to enable me to say that incalculable goodwill arise by making this establishment a mixed Hospital. When patients are first admitted into the Hospital they are, if strong enough, put into the Vapour Bath and the skin well cleansed with soap and water ; if they are not able to bear the Vapour Bath they have a warm one instead. They have then their hair cut and are placed in a comfortable bed with clean sheets; at the head of each bed tfietfe is a card hung giving the name, age, place of residence, tribe or oountry, disease, and date of admission. From this period there is a regular system of cleanliness adopted and efficiently carried out by the Hospital At' tendants, aided by the willing co-operation of all the patients who have as yet been admitted, in short, every one seems anxious to contribute their individual share to the promotion of the general comfort of the establishment. The plan originated by his Excellency the Go-vernor-in-Chief of mixing the natives and Europeans in the same Wards, I have carried out with

admissi Smg of Ie of the greatestobmoved, t ""?» q 3 races The Wards are now as jections t as any English Hospital pure and feelings of greatpleacouldbe; a spirit manifested by the sure the goo d^ tdsth ek darker brethren on all ocwhite patients "^rf^ feelings of the latter for acts casions, andtL If European patients have been of kindness wh, ? t. rd . ind eed we have at present always ready to fa&L in the lower Ward, whose one native in par near an d who has exfriends never con y^^ patients in the same , pressed hinself to j^de for what they have done i Ward in terms of gr taey jjon* are his friends» for him, saying also circumstances,, there; From these and man. of reciprocal good feeling fore, I contend that a b u natives and Europeans, will be formed betwee to a certain extent by this moulded and cemented ,£ S y S tem, and which will Institution under the mix ' ft a u know what feelings not be easily broken, for v, , spring ftp between inof .sympathy and friendship over's ailments ; and I dividuals attending on each j say that since now speak from experience nothing but harmony the Hospital has been opened each* and every one has existed between both races, any distinction, ready to assist the other, withe has been attended So far, then, this plan of mixing with beneficial results. jlan is, that the Another good accruing from this itting to many natives see the Europeans, subm -fob. which they things for the cure of then- diseases w lculated to inwere unacquainted ; this in itself is en in our art, spire them with still greater confidence egularity in and a conviction that punctuality and r a diftaking medicine is most important. Thih sea before ficulty I had to contend with in some ea * evident.: the opening of the Hospital, as must be selx *.a have In almost every instance in which nativ* deparbeen discharged they have previous to their ished tare either provided themselves, or been furn iugh by their friends, with European clothing, olthi hey they came to the Hospital in blankets ; this t n& adopt from what they have seen in the Hospital, a. S from a fear that if they take again to blankei * they will die. They also always come to me for rales to guide them when they leave the Hospital, and I have good reason to know that they are not soon forgotten. I was told by one of our European patients who was at Waikanae a short time ago, that _ the old chief " Hiangarere" who was operated on and cured in the Hospital, was lecturing the people of his pa as to what was conducive to their health and what was prejiidicial, and that the old chief threw away some stinking karakas which a boy was going to eat, saying that when he was in the Hospital the Doctor told him such food was bad. The first and surest proof that the natives appreciate the Hospital is that it has been always full since its opening. I have had natives from Otaki, Wainui, Manawatu, and other places up the coast, and also from Waikanae, from which place the first native patient was admitted, namely, the old chief Hiaugarere, who was put under the influence of Sulphuric Ether previous to the removal of a large tumour from between his shoulders. From this native's son I forward ft letter showing how the old man appreciated the Hospital ; also a letter from Eiwai, the native teacher at Waikanae, whose wife died in the Hospital, as well as a letter from the same person to the Hospital Attendants. I could name all the patients who have been in the Hospital who have expressed themselves grateful, but this is needless. I am, however, far from saying that some may not be found who do not as yet appreciate the benefits of this Institution, or not yet sufficiently divested of their old predilections for their pas and native habits to at once abandon them in time of sickness and enter our Hospital. All I contend for is, that it has perfectly astonished me as well as persons conversant with the natives that they have up to this time so readily fallen in with our views, including in the number not alone the young men, but also some of the oldest and most influential chiefs. As no Institution was ever yet found to please everybody even amongst the most civilized people, so, I suppose, this may fail in sonte instances ; but we must be satisfied with the mass, leaving individuals to time, civilization, and the force of example. Besides, no measures introduced by a civilized nation amongst a half barbarous people for their improvement and good, can be expected to meet with entire success at first; it is only by steady perseverance, having our object in view, that we can hope to see our endeavours crowned with success. The natives have suffered severely in conjunction with the white population from the effects of the epidemic so prevalent here, but the deaths have been few; inflammation of the lungs, as detailed in a former report, being very common and requiring very active treatment. As to the cause of this epidemic I am unable to speak, except theoretically, as it has not in all probability originated in this country, but has, like some epidemics, travelled from other places, being modified more or less by atmospheric influence or climate in each particular place, accounting for its mildness in some localities and severity in others. I am sorry to have to report that hooping cough is making its appearance amongst the native children, and I fear that great mortality will ensue, as from the want of proper clothing and care it is very likely to be complicated with inflammation of the lungs, producing a double disease. I would respectfully call his Excellency's attention to the subject of medical aid for the women and children, as few women in comparison to the numbers can be accommodated at the Hospital, and no children. It is out of the question now being able to take in more than two women, as the house is too small, and even supposing a wing was built, which is much required, few mothers could leave their children to come into Hospital unless under peculiar circumstances, but in no case could we accommodate children in an establishment of this sort. The only remedy therefore which. I see is to afford such cases as cannot be received into Hospital whatever aid it is possible to do at their pas., I would strongly recommend the constitution of a board of visitors consisting in part of native chiefs ; this .would be most desirable and useful, as inspiring their people with confidence and getting them to enter into our plans and work "with us in our endeavours for their good; by getting the sanction and concurrence of the chiefs we will" obtain that of thB whole or greater part of the tribe ; I have found them useful in my profession both by their advice and authority, and in ibis ease

they have promised me their co-operation as soon as his Excellency would call upon them ; the names of the different natives I would desire to have as- a board I forward for his Excellency's sanction. >In conclusion I would recommend to his Excellency the addition of a wing if possible, as the present Hospital is not large enough for the number of applicants ; and I would request to bring under the especial notice of his Excellency the kind, attentive, and excellent conduct of both Mr. and Mrs* Jacobs, the Hospital Attendants, who never spare themselves by day or night in contributing their share to the efficiency of the establishment and on whom so much devolves; they have given me the greatest satisfaction, and I cannotrecommend them too highly. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, J. Fitzoebaid, M. D., Med. Officer. S. E. Grimstone, Esq., •jf Acting Secretary.