BUSY PERIOD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27069, 2 May 1949, Page 6

BUSY PERIOD

DUNEDIN BRANCH OF PLUNKET SOCIETY

Although the numbers admitted during March were not greater than the previous month, the hospital had been very busy, said the matron of the Truby King-Harris Hospital at the monthly meeting of the committee of the Dunedin branch of the Plunket Society last week. This was because the babies had been, more difficult problems, and there had been a larger number of mothers coming in by day either to learn to handle and feed their baby before taking it home, or else to breast-feed a premature baby once or twice a day before it was strong enough to be transferred to the mothercraft\ section. The mothOrcraft section had been busy although the numbers were to capacity for only the first half of the month. In most cases the babies had been small, needing constant supervision, and three mothers needed extra rest and care. Four premature babies were transferred to the section and all were doing well. One set of twins was admitted with their mothers. , The premature section had only had three admissions, and all were in the 41b-51b group, two of them very feeble and needing a lot of attention. The older children’s section had very difficult feeding problems to cope with, but all were showing improvement. Karitane Nurse Fraser finished duty on March 13 and was replaced by Nurse Edna Gray. Lectures were given to kindergarten students and the demonstrations and examination for Plunket trainees were held during the month. The sister in charge of the district nursing staff reported that Miss Woodhead had conducted the examination of Plunket students in clinical procedure, 17 students being examined, and it was reported that Miss Liddell had given lectures to the JVar Brides’ Association on “The Growth and Work of the Plunket Society,”' to the Mothers’ Club. Kaikorai, on “ Minor Ailments and Simnle Home Treatment.” to the Plunket students at Truby King-Harris Hospital on “ Routine Management of District Work ” and “ The Teaching of Mothercraft to Post-primary Schoolgirls.” A broadcast address was also given, the subject being “The Annual Invader—the Fly.” Sixteen expectant mothers had been given mothercraft instruction, but attendances at all clinics this month were affected by the prevalence of measles. Those present were:—Mrs L. f. Cleghorn (president). Mesdames J. Begg, A. S. Christie, F. E. Clapperton. D. A. Dick. N. N. Fraser, H. L. Longbottom, G. F. McKellar, L. Parrelle, W. Sowerby, J. Thomson, R. Wails, J. Warburton, and Misses-E. Johnstone, L. Roberts and M. B. Scott, and representatives from sub-branches at Anderson’s Bay, Broad -Bay, Green Island, hfaikorai, Kew, Mornington, Pine Hill, Port Chalmers, Roslyn, Sawyers’ Bay. South Dunedin, St. Kilda, Wakari and Waverlgy. . A resignation from both executive and committee was received from Mrs N. C. Speight and accepted with deep regret. Miss L. Roberts was appointed to fill this vacancy.