DUNEDIN HOSPITAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6736, 17 September 1883, Page 4

DUNEDIN HOSPITAL.

TO THE KDITOB.

Sin, —Having just come out of tha Dunediq Hospital, I would like to have a few words to say as an observer of its conduct during tha time I was there. Aa regards cleanliness and attention to patients, I can give the highest praise. In this respect things could not be any better. The wards are remarkably clean,. and the wardsmen (at any rate the two who were on duty in my ward) wore careful and kind to a degree. And here I may just add that the medical gentleman who attended me has my warmest thauks. I went in without legs at all, as one may say, through the gout, and I come out a new man, thank God. All the patients in my ward (No. 5) were, like me, thoroughly .well pleased with the medical attendance. But there is one point in regard to whicb I would make a word of complaint. Patients who go into such an institution suffering (say) from accident or from such a trouble as jfout, are not necessarily bound down to hospital fare, which, though good, is not enticing. In my case, for instance, the doctor allowed me to eat any delicacies that friends might bring tne. My daughter did bring me a custard pudding, but the doorkeeper was extremely abrupt in hia treatment of her. "Take it home," he said; "you have more need of it yourself." She left it lying there, but I never saw: it. I really think that patients suffer a wrong in this way. Whether thp man acted on some rule or not Ido not know; but if thereis a rule it seems to be a bad one, and if there is no rule the doorkeeper is too officious. ' . I know my many friends will be glad to hear of my recovery. I hope shortly to make a start for the centre of Maoridom, but shall always remember Otago and my many friends with feelings of pleasure and gratitude.—l am, Captain W. J. Badht. September 15.