PLUNKET SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 23438, 19 February 1938, Page 9

PLUNKET SOCIETY

MEETING OF BRANCH AT INVERCARGILL At the monthly meeting of the committee of the Invercargill branch of the Plunket Society held in the Southland Women’s Club Mrs R. M. Strang presided over the following members; Mesdames J. Robertson, A. Derbie, Roy Anderson, A. E. Bath, T. Bailey, P. A. Price, L. C. Smith, Roy Hanan, J. Pickard, D. Kilkelly and E. E. Boyd. Apologies were received from Mesdames T. F. Gilkison, A. Russell, E. J. Mills and A. C. Dickens. Before beginning the business of the meeting Mrs Strang referred to the death of Sir Truby King, founder of the society. She expressed the deepest regret of the committee at the passing of such a useful and honoured life, and their sincere sympathy with his relations. Those present stood in silence as a mark of respect. The following were appointed visiting committee for next month: —KaritaneHunt hospital, Mesdames Strang, Robertson, Derbie, Smith, Price and Gilkison; Anderson Home, Mrs Bath; Waikiwi, Mrs Smith; South Invercargill, Mrs Derbie; rest room, Mrs Pickard. It was decided to hold a garden party in the grounds of the Karitane-Hunt hospital on the afternoon of Saturday, March 5. The garden is looking its best, and it is hoped that there will be a big attendance of those interested, in the work of the society. An entertainment will be provided and afternoon tea served. Donations for the various stalls will be gladly accepted. Miss N. P. Fitzgibbon, nursing adviser to the Dominion council of the society, who was paying an official visit to the Invercargill branch, attended the meeting and discussed the various activities of the society for the furtherance of the welfare of mothers and babies. Mrs Strang expressed the pleasure of the committee in having the opportunity to meet Miss Fitzgibbon and near her instructive talk. NURSES’ REPORTS The following were the nurses’ reports:— Matron Ingold reporting from the Karitane-Hunt hospital stated that the number of patients in on December 31 was one mother and seven babies. Four mothers and 15 babies were admitted for treatment and five mothers and 17 babies were discharged. The number of patients in on January 31 was five babies, and the biggest number in on any one day was two mothers and 10 babies. Mothers were admitted from Bluff, Ohai, Winton and Wyndham, and babies were admitted from Invercargill, Ohai, Waianiwa and Wyndham. Miss Goodall was relieving on the nursing staff during staff holidays. There were 160 visitors to the hospital during the month. The following gifts were gratefully acknowledged:—Sweets from Mrs J. C. Burbery (Dunedin), Christmas cake from Mrs Pipson (Timaru), cream from Mrs Brash and eggs from the Invercargill branch of the Womens Division of the Farmers’ Unios. Reporting from the Anderson Home Nurse Maclntyre stated that the total number of new cases in town and country was 62, and the total number at the centre (babies only) . was 42. Twenty-seven visits were paid to homes where there were new cases, and 415 were paid to homes where there were old cases. The office was visited by 702 adults, 645 babies and 105 older children, and there were 991 babies and 296 older children under supervision. Fifteen letters for advice were received and 14 written. Colds and bronchitis were prevalent among the babies during December and January. SUB-BRANCHES Nurse Maclntyre reporting on the sub-branches stated that Riverton was visited four times when 13 homes were visited and 55 adults, 55 babies and five older children visited the rooms; there were two new cases. Four visits were paid to Bluff when 78 homes were visited and 68 adults, ’66 babies and three older children visited the rooms; there were eight new cases. Four visits were paid to Tuatapere when 19 homes were visited and 19 adults and 19 babies visited the rooms; there were three new cases. Otautau was visited twice when four visits were paid to homes and 31 adults, 31 babies and two older children visited the rooms; there were three new cases. Two visits were paid to Orepuki when 10 adults and 10 babies visited the rooms. Ohai was visited once when 11 adults and 11 babies visited the rooms; there was one new case. Nightcaps was visited once when four adults, three babies and one older child visited the rooms. Two visits were paid to Wrights Bush when five adults, five babies and one older child visited the rooms.

Nurse Maclntyre reporting on the out-stations stated that at South Invercargill 134 homes were visited and 162 adults, 145 babies and 18 older children visited the rooms; there were four new cases. The rest room was visited by 128 adults, 121 babies and nine older children, and there were 14 new cases. Nurse Rhind reporting from Waikiwi stated that four visits were paid to Waikiwi when 24 homes were visited and 61 adults. 54 babies and 10 older children visited the office; there was one new case. Colds were prevalent among the babies.