HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD. „

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14859, 5 September 1918, Page 2

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD. „

MONTHLY MEETINfr. ]

The monthly meeting of "the Nelson a< Hospital and Charitable Aid Board 11 I "was held yesterday afternoon. Pre- fr sent: MessrsT. Neale (chairman), J. G. B Page, T. Hewet&on G. Macmnhon, A. -v I. Manoy, C. R. fell, R. "Win,, and „, Mrs Watson. loin DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN. ti The chairman, referring to a.recent t< speech delivered by the Hon. G. W. v Russell, said the Minister had stated ii that about half the- men examined for. military service had been declared unfit.; c Tho ilinister expressed the opinion that, 1' the state of their health was the result J of vTa!;t.-althy teeth in early life. The j chuij-inan went on to say that the Go- | vcrmnent would provide 75 per cent, of; the cost of dental attention to children ■ f if hoards would do the rest. He thought i 'the board should make some little move in this direction. He believed the £ Nelson dentists would each be to give a certain number of hours a, mouth iE the board provided a surgery j and equipment. Tho board might do , that, as it would fit in with the new !( , Hospital, and it was one thing the-, L board could make a move in. Then, too, ; the board might make a start in regard »to maternity cases. They could not 3 build, but tliey might be ablo< to rent a suitably place and thus make a start. He hoped these matters would be con-sidered-by the board. _' -,;. ~ xl The question of providing dental treatment for children at the Hospital was, on the suggestion' of the chairman., referred to a committee consisting or Mrs Watson, Mr Fell, and the chairman. I HOSPITAL REPORT. j The Hosnital Surceon t'Dr. Jamicson); reported that the . admissions during 9 August were 66, discharged 57, deaths, 4, remaining 72. Th« Hasnital was now i free from scarlet fever cases, and diph- ; ' theria had diminished, only six cases remaining, and there being no fresh admissions for two weeks. While the epidemic seemed to-have spent itself, they must be prepared for a; small number of cases occurring continuously for many, months to come. • , r, ; w RELIEVING OFFICER'S REPORT. Le The Relieving Officer (Mr H. Colty. man) reported that twelve families had 5 e been in receipt of assistance during the > y month in the city. The total amount Sj granted to families in Nelson for stores iv aud fuel during the month was £23 6s r, '<*, fe HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The Health Inspector (Mr li. Colfc--18 man) reported that there had been a

considerable reduction in the number of cases of 'diphtheria in the city during tiie past month,' there having been but four cases notified, all of which havebeen removed to the Hospital. Threeadditional cases have been notified from' Motueka. five in Waimea Coui\fcy, one, from Richmond, and one from Admiralty. Bay. A quantity of sweets were seized and destroyed. Samples of bread had been taken, which complied with the re- } gulations. Tho scarlet fever ward being ; now vacant, the present was an oppor-i tune time to carry out contemplated alterations. -: The. fumigating chamber was ( unsuitable for the purposes.of .disinfact--,; ing. - •■.-■' ■. ■ ' The chairman,, was authorised to nave certain improvements effected at tho fever ward.., , GENERAL BUSINESS. j Accounts were massed for payment amounting, to £541 Os Od Hospital and £323 Gs 2d charitable aid. It was resolved that permission, be given to Sister Baker to enlist for service abroad. . , On the motion of-Mr Fell, seconded by Mr Win, it was resolved to fall in with the suggestion of the Minister m charge of Hospitals (Hon. G. W. H-usr well) and increase the hospital fees from 35s per week to £'2 2s per week.' j The chairman stated that the board's endeavour to collect outstanding hospital fees was meeting with good results. He believed tha-t it would be possible to <ret in more of the fees if proper steps were taken by the board, and lie \v.i« quite sure that if those owing tees were made to feel that the proportion unpaid was to be regarded as charitable aid even more of the fees would be obtained If those who received the benefit of hospital treatment would regard it as an honourable obligation, as tar_as lav in their power, to pay the hospital fees then advantages which the board was so desirous of instituting for the further benefit of the community, such as dental attention and maternity homes, would the sooner become accomplished facts. Mr Macmahon was' also 'of opinion that if those not paying the fulL fees were made to feel that they were receiving charitable aid the board % would recover a greater proportion of the fees. The Defence Minister wrote stating that if it was found necessary to have massage treatment for returned soldiers in hospitals, the department would supply a masseuse if the board would provide accommodation. —It was decided tc accept the otfer. The County Clerk, Collingwood, wrot< in reference to the board's request foi information in regard to persons ii arrears with hospital fees, expressing the opinion that a number of people oj the list could and should be made t< pay.