HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15885, 3 October 1913, Page 6

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Tho fortnightly meeting of the Otago Hospital and Cnarixablo Aid Board was held last evening, and was attended by Mr J. H. Walker (chairman.), Mrs Ferguson, Mrs Jackson, Messrs W. Blackie, \V, E. S. Knight, W. T. Talboys, S. S. Myers, P. G. Cumming, 0. N. Scurr, R. Templeton, H. M. Driver, and Dr Marshall Macdonald. Mrs Charles Y. Fell, a member of the Nelson Hospital Board, waa present as a visitor, and was weloomed by the chairman. The Auckland Board wrote asking if it was the opinion of the Otago Board that a uniform scale of holidays should be adopted in all hospitals.—Referred to the Hospital Committee for report. The Deputy Chief Health Officer wrote that he was getting into communication with the Inspector-general in re the proposed enlargement of the Pleasant Valley Sanatorium.—Received.

It was reported that some rose trees had been donated by Mr Siedeiin, and two bundles of samples by Messrs Bing. Harris, and Co.—Acknowledged with , thanks. It was also resolved to express thanks' for donations of flowers from the Palmereton school children and of magazines from Dr Oolquhoun. The Benevolent, Sanatorium, Hospital, and Finance Committees' reports (previously published) were adopted. Mr Templeton moved, in pursuance of notice of motion: ".That in view of the recent discussion by the board, the medical superintendent, the medical director, and the honorary medical staff of the Dunedin Hospital be asked to express an opinion on the future uolicy the' board should pursuo in regard to tho treatment of consumption." He said that it had been decided that the accommodation at the sanatorium should be increased to a maximum of 100 beds at a probable cost of £12,000. It had never been suggested that this sum should be provided out of the revenue of the board but out of the consolidated revenue of the country. If the Government was honest in its desire it go furthcT than the capital expenditure and provide maintenance as well.. By getting the opinionof these gentlemen named in the resolution tlie board would have its hands strengthened.—Dr Macdonald seconded the motion, and suggested the addition of the word "preventment" after the word " treatment." His reason for that was that they were dealing with treatment and neglecting "prevent ment." He would have liked the matter referred to the Medical Association.—Mr Myers said that when prevention was being considered it mi?hfc as well be considered from the earliest stages—referring to the child period of life.—The motion was carried unanimously, and the board' then wont into committee.