HEALTH OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3231, 16 February 1916, Page 70

HEALTH OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

The monthly meeting of the Royal New Zealand Society for Health of Women and Children was held in the Town Halbon the 10th; present —Mcsdames Truby King (in the chair), Theomin, Gilkison, Ramsay, Gibbs, J. Ross, Wilkinson, J. C. M'George, Isaacs, Sidey, Jas. Allen, Johnstone, Ansell, Miss Gow, and the hon. secretary (Mrs J. M - George). The matron of the Karitano-Harris Hospital reported as follows for December, 1915 : Number of cases admitted, 9; discharged, 5; deaths, nil; mothers in residence with their babies, 2; greatest number in residence at any one time, 16; number on December 31, 16; number of visitors, 136; letters, 19. Of the nine cases admitted dur ing the month, five came from Dunedin, one from Oamaru, and triplets and mother from Wyndham. All the babies discharged went out in excellent condition. Two mothers brought their babies in for weighing before and after feeding. Miss Roy and Miss Wilson went up for their Plunket examination, and passed very well. Miss Darling and Miss Hayes passed as Karitane baby nurses. For the month of January:—Number of cases admitted, 8; discharged, 7; deaths, nil; mother in residence, 1; greatest number of babies in residence at any one time, 18; number at January 31—babies 17, mother 1; number of visitors, 450; letters, 20. Of eight cases admitted during the month, two came from Dunedin, one from Lower Hutt, one from Gi?borne, one from Roxburgh, one from Tirnaru, one from Oamaru, and one from Clinton. All those discharged were in a satisfactory condition. Five mothers brought their babies for weighing before and after feeding. Gifts were received from the following:— Mrs Ross, Mrs Sidey, Mr Rcid, Mrs Darling. Dr and Mrs King, Miss Curlett, Dr Williams, Mrs Guthrie, Miss Rcnfree. Dr and Mrs Allen, Mrs Theomin, Mrs Lockio. Plunket nurses' report for December:—Number of babies on list, 1082; new cases. 39; babies solely breast-fed, 93: partially breast, fed, 60; visits to home's, 587; visits to office. 162: bottles of milk sent from dairy, 6588. For January: Number babies on list, 1081; new cases, 37: babies solely breast-fed, 37; babies partially breast-fed. 61; visits paid to homes, 704; visits to office (Mothers and babies). 225; bottles of milk sent from dairy, 5768. During the month there were returned home in a flourishing 1 condition three little baby boys (triplets), who. with their mother, spent several weeks in the Karitane Hospital. The mother was very enthusiastic about the time she spent in the institute, and has writton since to say how they are all doing. ' The society is applying for the Royal bounty for them. A resolution of sympathy with the family of the late Mr G. C. Israel was passed, the committee expressing their great appreciation of the devoted way in which Mr Israel, in spite of his many engagements, always placed his invaluable services at the disposal of the society. A largo amount of correspondence was dealt with, foreign letters being received from Chicago, Bahia (Brazil), and Capetown, asking for information as to the aims, objects, and working of the society. The committee received with thanks the copies of their directory sent by Messrs B,'tone, Son. and Co. Owing to the largo number of Plunket nurses who have general hospital training, who have gone to the front for army service, great difficulty is being experienced in replacing them. It was suggested that steps bo taken to let it be known that the society wotild bo glad to have some more maternity nurses to train as Plunket nurses.

The hon. treasurer reported the receipt of £47 9s, maintenance for two monthe, also of a number of donations and subscriptions.