"STRATFORD EVENING POST" WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1925. CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 89, 13 June 1925, Page 4

"STRATFORD EVENING POST" WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1925. CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

It was reported in the Press a few days ago that a number of children suffering from the after effects of infantile paralysis had been sent from Hawera to Rotorua for treatment. The same has occurred in other centres, and it would appear that the facilities provided at Rotorua for the treatment of these cases is being taken advanage of. King George Hospital, where the work is undertaken, is run by .the Health Department, and during the time it has been devoted to the particular purpose of dealing with orthopaedic cases, a great number of cures have been effected, and many children, otherwise doomed, as a result of a previous epidemic, to lives of misery by reason of their deformities have been restored to health, while the misfortunes of others have been greatly alleviated. Until 1921 the Hospital in question was under the control of the Defence Department, and was a purely military organisation. The number of soldiers requir-

ing treatment had greatly diminished, and in October of that year the institution together with its

wealth of orthopaedic apparatus was handed over "to the Health Department, who inaugurated a scheme having for its object the restoring to health of the hundreds of innocent victims of the scourge of a few years before. It can be said that from the outset the departure was a success, and the hundreds of letters from grateful parents prove this. In its early stages Dr. A. W. Hogg, who is well known in Stratford, had charge of the scheme, and to his outstanding organising ability was due much of its success. The

present Superintendent, Dr. W. S. Wallis, was associated with Dr. Hogg, and the latter has made this particular branch of surgery his life work. Instances of almost miraculous cures could be given, but to go iuto details seems unnecessary. .It is sufficient to say that the doctor's devotion to the cause so near his heart has been well rewarded by the success which has crowded his efforts. When one visits the Institution and sees what has been accomplished and what is being done, one is forced to the conclusion that no case should be regarded as hopeless, until every avenue of treatment has been exhausted. The longer a child is left, the greater is the risk of disability, but taken in the earlier stages, success is often attained. Of :course there are factors in every

case upon which only a doctor can give an opinion, and it is imperative that the parents of sufferers should obtain medical advice as to whether the particular case would be likely to benefit by treatment at Rotorua. Every medical man and Hospital Board is in possession of particulars regarding the .work undertaken at the Institution. Despite the fact that specialist treatment is given at the King George Hospital the charges are moderate, being £3 3s per week, which includes everything and those unable to pay the full fees can obtain admission through their local Hospital Board. A very pleasing feature of this Institution is that in addition to being a Hospital, it .is also a home for the children patients whose welfare is looked after in a most thorough manner. All the little inmates are perfectly happy, and it only takes about a day for their home-sickness to disappear. They have their games, and their, hobbies; those not confined to bed are taken for.picnics, etc., in ,fact everything that makes for their welfare is done. Then the staff take a ; personal interest in their charges and do much more for them, than their duty demands. Nor is the schooling of the children neglected, there being a special school established at the Hospital. A fine airy school room is provided overlooking the beautiful Lake Rotorua and here the instruction is carried out. Thbfefe' children unable to leave their beds are visited in the wards by teachers and special desks to fit, oyer the beds are provided to enable them to do their lessons. Although adult and military cases are treated in the Hospital the great majority of the cases are children, and the work done for then justifies the establishment of the Institution. The only wonder is that the Health Depart: ment does not make the fact that the Hospital is in existence more generally known.