DIET AT THE HOSPITAL.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13594, 8 October 1914, Page 7

DIET AT THE HOSPITAL.

Mr Allan asked for an explanation why patients in the hospital had to buy their own eggs and butter. The accounts just passed showed £11 for butter, and twenty gallons of milk per week, and he wanted an explanation.

Dr. Washbourn said many persons before coming into the hospital were used to three solid meals p^r day, and no doubt the diet scale to them would appear a poor one. The diet scale was the usual hospital one; it was good and wholesome, ami there was plenty or it for the asking. Patients had.been allowed, to purchase extras. He had received no'Co'iiiplaint? about the food or any shortage. He did not think it was advisable'to alter the dietary scale. Mr Hoult asked was it possible for the doctor to attend to all the work at the hospital. He asked was the doctor satisfied with the administration. Dr. Washbourn said the administration was most economical. "With.regard to the butter and ir.ilk mentioned it should be remembered 'than on an average there, were 80 to 100 persons to be supplied. * He was positive not one'pint of milk per week was wasted. The diet, scale was the same as at other hospitals. . , Mr Lock said ho had,hoard it said th« "patients did not get si: : -ie-nt food. Mr Allan said.he was n»- complaining as to the character of the diet. What he wanted to know was wfty the patients should be called upon to pay for such things as eggs and butter wlien the Board supplied such large quantities for .the institution. At the hospital there were 46 patients, and 32 persons to look after them Dr Washbourn said they could not give the patients chops and eggs tor tea Some people looked upon the hospital in the light of a boarding-house, but the institution was not a boardinghouse, and the living cost was a small item. During the 24 hours of each day. attendance of one or the-othcr oi the staff had to be supplied. The work of the institution could not bo as satisfactorily carried out as at present witli a smaller staff. Mr. Simpson said all the patients hailing from the Motueka ■ district be had spoken to had spoken very .highly

of- the hospital treatment, and - had made no complaints. Mr Howetson ,said patients from his district (the Moutere) also were well pleasea* with the ho.spita! treatment, Mr He-.vetson thought the "accounts should be thoroughly examined before they came before the Board. Mr Franklyn thought the Board should meet in the morning to consider the accounts and finance, and in the afternoon for general business. Mv Howoushii moved that the town members be appointed as a committee to examine tlio accounts before they are placed before the Board's monthly meeting.

Mrs Watson was of opinion that a permanent finance committee should be sot up. She seconded tit;?, motion, which was carried.