ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2159, 11 July 1895, Page 11

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

FuiDAr. The annual report for 1894 published by the Central Executive Committee of the St. John Ambulance Association has just been received from St. John's Gate, London. It is stated the session was one of continued prosperity and increased development. Referring to the assistance afforded by the medical staff, the Executive Committee say that it is to their self-denying exertions tbat the continued success of the St. John Ambulance Association has been from the first and is mainly due, and it affords the committee satisfaction to again call public attention to the invaluable and generous assistance it has received in the past from the njedioal profession, and if it may rely on this being maintained in the future, it feels assured that for years to come untold blessings will be secured by its humanitarian efforts for the relief of suffering and the alleviation of pain. Dr Neale's classes at Falmcrston ere being well attended, in spite of the wretched state of the weather. On Wednesday night the doctor gave his fourth lecture to the ladits' class, every member being present. At the conclusion of the lecture Dr and Mrs Neale gave practical instruction in the use of the roller bandage At the meu's class on Friday night the subject was " Fractures." After explaining the signs of fracture and giving a list of the general principles to be observed by those who have to administer first aid, the doctor g»ve a few practical il'u-itr&tionß of the best methods of improvitisg in cases of accident. We are desired to remind those members of the association, who recently passed their first year's examination in connection with the men's class that they are now eligible for membership of the Ambulance Corps. The advantages offered in the way of systematic and continued practice are very great, and those interested in the work should certainly connect themselves with that body. At Milton Dr Sutherland lectured last week, the subject being "Wounds and their treatment, sprains, foreign bodies in the eye, ear, - and nose, fractures and dislocations and their treatment." The lecture was accompanied by practical illustrations. A branch of the association was opened at Arrowtown, and lectures commenced last week under Dr J. B. Thomson. Mr Porter is secretary of the branch. Military cyclist corps are now 80 well equipped that they carry with them a bicycle ambulance. In the bicycle ambulance the stretcher is carried swung between two safety machiue3. A patient can be transported in saftty, and with great speed and comforb, to the nearest dressing station or field hospital. The local paper states that the tbird lecture to the men's Mosgiel class was delivered by Dr Allan on Friday of last week, when he took for his subject " Fractures." At a meeting of the East Taieri Ambulance Class on Monday, Dr Allan lectured on " Fractures, sprains, and dislocations." The lecture proved very interesting, and was attentively listened to. The practical work was also very instructive. At the termination of the course Dr Will will act as examiner. Dr Stenhousfc's lecture last week was very much appreciated by those present. In addition to the usual description of the circulatory system and the treatment of hemorrhage, the lecturer gave some useful information in regard to the eye and ear, and their ailments. * One of the latest works to be added to tl c - many publications upon firat-aid treat;e mentis a "Manual of Ambulance" by Dr J. Scott Riddellj assistant surgeon to the Aber-

deen Royal Infirmary, and lecturer and examiner to the St. John and other ambulance associations. Tho manual, wh'ch oontains 16 chapter?, is intended to serve not only for class use, but a? so as a means of reference in emergency caee3. It is profusely illustrated, particularly in the sections in' which anatomical and surgical details are treated, and the important subject of ambulance transport is fully discussed stnd illustrated. For the icformaticn of leatuieis and secretaries of classes a chapter on organisation and management is added, while in the appendix will bo found a series of test papers on first aid, reprinted from papers set by the author at different times. Altogether the work in an excellent one. A meeting- of those interested in the formation of St. John Ambulance classes was held in the O utrs m School on Wednesday of hut week. Notwithstanding the inclement weather about 60 ladies and gentlemen were present. Mr Cbisholm was voted to the chair, and explained the object of the meeting, particularly emphasising the bentfits to bo derived from' such clauses, the instruction of which had been kindly undertaken by Dr Cat tan. The names of 25 ladies and 24- gentlemen were then enrolled. Tho following office - bearers were elected : — Secretary, Mr John White ; treasurer, Mr Churton ; chairman, Mr Chit holm. The followiug ladies were appointed members of the ladies' committee : — Mrs Cattan (president), Miss Kirkland (secretary), and Miss Baird (treasurer). — Advocate. The ordinary monthly meeting of Sb. John Nursing Corps was held at the Yoong Women's Christian Association Rooms on Mondsy evening. Mies Hooper, lady snpcrinttjndont, occupied the chair, and, after the confirmation of the minutes, two new members were elrcted. It was resolved that the Ctntral Committee shou'd be asked to arrange, if possible, for a course of lectures _on invalid ocoking, &o. Afterwards an hour's practice in roller bandaging was gone through under the direction of Dr Baraett, hon. surgeon of the corps, and provtd very instructive. The North Otago Times says that a meeting was held at Kurow on Thursday of last week, when it was decided to form a branch of the St. John Ambulance Aesociation. Mr A A. Hesketh was elected chairman fro tern , and the following officars were unanimously elected : — Honorary lecturer, Dr Stevens ; chairman, Mr D. M'Fatlane; treasurer, Mr J. Robartson ; secretary, Mr W. G. Munro. Fourteen of those present at once joined, and arrangements were made for the holding of the first lecture. The membership being limited to 30 there will be no difficulty in filling the class. To Dr Stevens the thanks of the community are due for the prominent part he hag taken in starting the branch, and for his promised services as lecturer. / It is likely that a branch of the St. John Ambulance Association will be formed at Alexandra South, with Dr Hodges as lecturer and instructor. At West Harbour, on Friday evening, Dr M'Kellar lectured to the female class as usual, and At spite the bad weather there was a good attendance of members. Great interest was shown in the lecture, which had for its subject "Fractures and Insenoibility." Practical work was also gone through on Saturday afternoon, under the direction of some ladies of the nursiDg corps. The examination of the women's evening class, which has been instructed by Dr Brown, took place at the Y.W.C.A. Rooms on Thursday evening, Drs Colquhoun and Roberts acting as the examiners. Thirty-eight members— a large proportion of those attending the class— sat the examination. Arrangements have been made for the delivery by Dr Closs of a special lecture to members of the Sfc. John Ambulance Corps on Thursday evening next. The results of the examination conducted last week by Drs Fulton and Macpherson will be announced next week.