"WORSE THAN A BREWERY."

Otaki Mail, 29 March 1939, Page 1

"WORSE THAN A BREWERY."

ALARMING USE OF ALCOHOL IN HOSPITAL. ASTONISHING FIGURES QUOTED AUCKLAND, Stating that from February j to Febluary 2S, totals of 300 oz. of brandy, 537 bottles of stout, IS3 bottles of ale, SlO syphons of soda water, 56(1 bottles of lemonade, SI bottles of ginger ale, Soz. of whisky and one bottle of champagne had been consumed, the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, Mr. Allan J. Moody, said at a meeting of the board that there had been an alarming use of alcohol at the hospital. "It has been worse than a brewery," he added. Mr. Moody said the matter came before him at first from the head office staff which had drawn up a comprehensive return of stimulants consumed at the hospital. The position shown was so alarming that he would be failing in his duty to the public if he did not attack what he thought was an astonishing state of affairs. Compared with the same period in 103 S, said Mr. Moody, the consumption of stimulants from February 1 to February 2S this year had increased as follows: Brandy 2Gloz. to 3000 z., stout 555 bottles to 547 bottles, ale 105 bottles to 183 bottles, soda water 75S syphons to SlO syphons, lemonade 079 bottles down to 500 bottles, ginger ale none to SI bottles, whisky nono to Soz., champagne none to one bottle. "In one month," said Mr. Moody, ("837 bottles of stout were consumed. Heaven knows what they do with it. In 1935-30 altogether'4lo3 bottles of stout were consumed and in 1937-38 the figure was 7701. Ale in the same period went from 553 bottles to 1533. In 1931-32 ale and stout cost the board £25 while in 1937-3 S the cost was £337. Brandy went from £l7 to £79 and aerated waters from £159 to £175. The figures do not include the annexe. I "I had the matter investigated," said Mr. Moody, "and the medical superintendent, Dr. J. W. Craven, told me that some years ago instructions were given under a previous board that stimulants should not be given except under the signature of a member of the honorary staff. I had this system reestablished last week. To show what has happened, compared with the week ended March 19 the consumption of stout dropped in one week from 230 bottles to 120 bottles and ale from 50 bottles to 30 bottles. Brandy fell from 9Gozs. to 30oz. With any luck we will have some of these items almost disappearing. This abnormal waste must be stopped."