Hospital Trustees.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6291, 11 February 1892, Page 2

Hospital Trustees.

The monthly m-eiingof the Hospital Trustees was held last night, there being present — Messrs Tucker (Chairman), Watson, Taylor, Coleman, Lucas, Harris, Tuohey, and Dr Inner;. The monthly report showed remaining from last month 11, admitted 23, discharged 11, deaths 2, remaining at date 21. Two more patients had been admitted in the afternoon. It was reported that there were only two unoccupied beds, thejc being re* served for accident cases. The Treasurer reported a credit balance of £188 7s 7d. Accounts amounting to £142 la 4d were passed for payme.it. The Visiting Committee reported as follows: —Your Committee have visited the Hospital on many occasions during the last mouth and have always found everything working satisfactorily, and have received no complaints from the staff or patients. Mackerell has completed his contract, and a cheque can be drawn for the amount on production of Mr Finneran's certificate. Your Committee have authorised the necessary furniture to be obtained for the room. In conasquence of the large number of fever case? in the Hospital your Committee sanctioned the matron on the advice of your medical officer to procure an additional trained nurce, and Miss Emerson, from the Auckland Hospital, has been engaged temporarily. We regret to have to report that notwithstanding til's extra assistance the matron is now a patient in the Hospital from fever, and her serious illness has necessitated further changes in the staff. Your Committee have, af ier consulting Dr Innes and the treasurer, appointed Miss Gifford matron f.'o tern, and have taken steps to obtain another trained nurse until Miss Stewart is able to resume control of affairs, and a Miss Pile, from Auckland, will commence her duties on Friday. It has aL» been necessary to obtain three more beds and sundry articles of linen and other things in da'ly uce to meet the increased demand on the resources of the institution. Your Committee has had under consideration the propriety of providing further temporary accommodation for fever cases, and would recommend for your consideration the advisability ol erecti\i't a marquee on a wooden framework to be annexed to the Hospital. Such a temporary ward might after the subsidence of the epidemic be taken down, disinfected, and stowed away till again required. With refereuco to providing increased accommodation* the su^gest'on offered in the report was not approved, but it was decided, if there be occasion, the Chairman and Visiting Committee take immediate steps to meet any requirements. Dr. liuien reported that there was a case of typhoid fever awaiting admission to the tiospital, the person suffering being engaged at a dairy supplying the town with milk. From the number of children who are attacked with typhoid, he concluded that the milk supply was the principal means of spreading the contagion. The health authorities should certainly take all necessary steps to enforce cleanliness, especially in dairies. A number of cases of typhoid from Ormond treated at the hospital were distinctly traced to a public dairy. —The Chairman asbed if there was a health officer for the district, and Dr. Innes replied that none had been appointed since Dr. Pollen had left Gisborne. It was ascertained that the Borough Council and the various Road Boards were Health Boards, and bad power under law to inspect dairies and regulate all other matters affecting public health.—The Chairman and the Visiting Committee were appointed to represent to the proper authorities the cases which came under the cognisance of the trustees, and to urge that iir med'ate action be taken to enforce the provisions of the Public Health Act. Messrs C. A. Brown and J. Coleman were appointed a Visiting Committee for the month.