PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19046, 17 December 1923, Page 11

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE The ordinary monthly committee meeting of the Eoyal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children was held in the Plunket rooms yesterday morning; present—Mesdames Johnstone (in the chair), Thoomin, Cunninghams, Clapperton, John Walton,' Carmalt Jones, L. Cleghorn, W. A. Moore, M'George, Galloway, and the secre- ' tary. The financial statement was presented, and accounts passed for payment. The resignation of Mrs Arundel aa a member of the committee was received with regret, and appreciative reference was made to her long connection with the society and her great interest in its activities. The executive reported that arrangements had been made for an extension of the society’s premises in Stuart street; two new rooms, adjoining the present rdoms, having been acquired. It was decided to hold a travelling fair in aid of the society’s funds towards the end of February, the date to be arranged later. The Matron of the Karitanc-Harris Hospital reported as follows for the month of November;—Patients in hospital on October 31—mothers 2, babies 13; admitted for treatment—mothers 7, babies 14; discharged — mothers 6, babies 9; in hospital on November 30—mothers 3, babies 18. One premature baby, just under 3lb in weight, was admitted in a critical condition. This baby has responded to treatment, and is now nearly lib in weight. All mothers and babies admitted during the month came from Dunedin and suburbs. There are 12 Plunket nurses end 11 Karitane nurses in training. Karitane Nurse Nicholson commenced ti course of training during the month. Examinations for Plunket ahd Karitane nurses were held on November 28 and 30. Lectures were given during the month by Die Williams -and Strain and by Miss Pattrick (director Plunket nursing). Gifts were received from MesdJunes Thoomin, Girvan, Knight, the Misses Knight, Glasgow, M'Kenzie, Heywood, and Sanderson, Mr Johnston, and the Glendining Home. The Plunket nurses for north and central districts submit the following report for the month ended November 30, 1923: —Babies on the list, 680; breast-fed, including partly breast-fed, 209; new cases for month breastfed, including partly breast-fed, 32;-visits to homes, 419; visits to rooms (Central), adults, 263; babies, 184; visits to Roslyn rooms, adults, 71; babies, 81; mothers shown how to make milk, 17; advice to expectant mothers, 3; bottles of humanised milk sent from dairy, 6933; mothers who have left the district, 4. Babies have had sudden sick attacks with relaxed motions during the hot days, but with no serious diarrhoea. Whooping cough is fairly prevalent, and one baby is suffering from cbickonpox. The Plunket nurse for South Dunedin submits the following report for the montu ended November 30, 1923:—Babies on the list, 235; babies breast-fed, including partly breast-fed, 90; new cases for month—breastfed, including partly breast-fed, 27; visits to homes, 244; visits to rooms, adults, 118; visits to rooms, babies, 124; mothers shown bow to make milk, 2; mothers preparing milk, 20; advice to expectant mothers, 3. The Plunket nurso for the out-stations submits the following report for the month ended November 30, 1923: —Babies on the list, 191; breast-fed, including partly breast--fed, 49; new cases for month—breast-fed, including partly breast-fed, 9; visits to homes, 162; visits paid to rooms—Central rooms, adults 16, babies 13; Mosgiel rooms, adults 49, babies 51; Port Chalmers, adults 22, babies 19; mothers shown how to make milk, 9. Colds are very prevalent among the babies. There was one case of whooping cough in Ravcnabourno and three mild oases of diarrhoea. All have improved with scarcely any loss of weight.