THE MEDICAL CONGRESS. Wellington. March 18.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 41

THE MEDICAL CONGRESS. Wellington. March 18.

A paper was read ftfc the Medical Congress by Dr Collins on lunacy reform, advocating the separation of curable from incurable patients i aud the establishment; of *n observation .ward I in hospitals, where an examination could bo ' conducted instead of at pohce ar.af.oas. Ib was ! resolved to urge these reform* on the Govern- | ment, and a deputation waited on the Premier 1 at ence. Mr Seddon agreed in the taairi with , tho suggestions bufc said ib was a questiou of ; money, though it -would ba well spent. He blamed doctors for the loo«« way in which they sent people to asylums. Many wece only suffering from old age, and their relation* did not want to keep them ; while a good many cases were those of undesirable immigrants brought in hen the public works policy was vigorous. Dr Cieghorn confirmed this. The Premier promised that the suggestions should rt ceive the careful considerition of the Gov» j rt)meub. He claimed that his Government had done more for the lunatics than any previous Administration. They were now making additions and alterations at Porirua, Nelson, and other pHcss which must provide ample accommodation. Seeing that they had spent so much money in this direction what, he asked, must hive been ! the condition of these institutions before the Government came into office ? The association has chosen Dr Suofct, of Onehunga, president for nexb year. March 20. The congress closed with a paper by Dr James on the inspection of steamers, having special allusion to the detention of the Aorangi a few months ago on her arrival from Van» couver. The congress passed the resolution that any inspection in daylight would not ba efficient. Some of the applications for relief sent in t<v the " local committees by Buff erers from tha Gippslsncl bush fires are ("Oriel" says) strangely worded. Here is an ecfcracb from one- by a widow :—" I -have in family four dairy cows, two pigs, a horse, and three little children, all these beings by my firsb husband, and two goats in full milk, and a baby by my second husband. All the animals were lost ia the fire."