HEALTH OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15892, 11 October 1913, Page 13

HEALTH OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

The monthly meeting of the Committee of the Society for the Protection of the Health of Women and Children was held m tho Town Hair yesterday, Thero were present MrsCarr (m. the chair), Mesdames Jioss, S. Allen, Gilllison, Gallaway, Grow, Anscll, J. C. M'George, J. A. Johnstone, Buokland, De Beer, TJieomin, and the acting secretary (Mrs Stroute). Uio Matron of tin; Karitano-Harris Hospital reported the following statistics:— Babies admitted 'for the month, 10; discharged, 6; in hospital on September 30, deaths, 2," visitors, 323 j letters written. 35. Most of these infante were suffering from malnutrition and indigestion, One ® a ® e . wa s from, Central Otago, one from Christchurch, and ono from Blenheim. Of the ewes, discharged, one was sent to the General Hospital for an operation; the remainder left quite well. Of the deaths, one suffered from congenital trouble, and was dclicate from birth. Tho visitors included some from Scotland and America. Ihe domestic soienco students continue to attend the' classes at the Hospital. Plunkot Nurses: Nurse llowcll has begun tho oourse of training, Nurse Hudson passed her examination, and has gone to (ill the position waiting for her in Wa.nganui. Karitana nir.ues: The Misses Perry and Stamper commenced the training in this division. Gifts vrere received from Mrs Allan, Mrs Arundel, and the Girls' Friendly Society (Mosgiel); ako from Mrs BridgmaJi and the Mioses Gates, Owen, Reynolds, and Pascoe. Tho Phuket nurses reported as follows:—New cases, 49; cases dealt with, 612; solely breast fed, 75; . partially fed, 56; visits to homes, 645; mothers' visits to Plunket rooms, 97; expectant mothers advised, 23; letters of advice written, 13; letters received, 11. Bottles humanised mill; sent out from Taieri and Peninsula Company, 6117.

The domestio science students who are taking the course of instruction at the Karitane-llarris Hospital visited the humanised milk department of the Taiori and Peninsula Milk Supply Company, and spent a morning sdeing how the milk was prepared in bulk. The Plunket nurses are kept very busy in the north, south, and Slunshino districts, and in consequence are pleased to note the increased attendance at the Plunket room in Liverpool street, Nurse MTjaren left for her annual holiday on October 1, and duriag her absence Nurse Pascoe will work the north end of the city. 1

Donations of baby clothes were received from Mesdames Woods, Hutohenson, Mooney, Freeman, and Jones, The resignation o;: Nureo Gates, owing to ill-health, was rcceivcd ivitJi grtat regret, and hopes ivere 'expressed for her speedy recovery and _ that aho would be able to take up a position with the society at some future time. Owipg to this resignation it has been necessary to advertise for applicants_to fill ono of the positions in Dunedin. Nurse Pascoe has been engaged until December, at which date she is.to take up her duties as Plunket nurse for Wellington. It was arranged to liold the next biennial meeting during 6how week, when it is hoped that members of tho country branches will be able to attend. The Hon. Treasurer (Mrs Theomin) reported having received tho grant of £500 voted by the Dunedin Savings Bank trustees, also the sum of £25 18s. maintenance from ICaritanc-Harris Hospital; subscriptions and donations, .£22 ss. The committee is very jfratofi.il to tho Savings Bank trustees for their gr.int. The expenses are very heavy in carrying on the work of the society in Dunedin, which_ includes the upkeep of the Karita, tic-Harris Hospital, where six Plunket nurses and 12 probationers for Earitane baby nurses for all parts of the dominion are at present in training. To find tho necessary accommodation for the extra curses it was imperative to make additions to th'e building, and this frant enables this expenditure to bo met and also arrangements to bo made for a hot air drying room, which is very badly required.

An advance copy of the now edition of tho "Feeding and Care of the Baby" has been received from Dr Trubv King. It has been elaborated and brought fullv up to date. The committeo passed a hearty vote of thanks ond appreciation of the services rendered by Miss Vida. Reynolds to tho Karitano-ITarris Hospital in particular, and to the society in general.