HAWERA NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1926, Page 2

HAWERA NEWS.

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION. THE MONTHS ACTIVITIES, MEETING OF THE BOARD. (From Our Own Reporter.) Hawera, Feb. 15. The monthly meeting of the Hawera Hospital Board was held to-day. Present: Messrs. F. W, Gtllanders, A. T. Wills, A, L. Campbell. J. J. Meldon, E. A. Washer, E. J. Gifford, and G. W. Tavler.

The medical superintendent (Dr. W. M. Thomson) reported for the month of January that 70 patients were admitted to the hospital, 66 were discharged, three died, and 36 remained at the end of the month. Twenty-eight anaesthetics were administered and 27 operations were performed. The daily average of occupied beds for the ten months of the financial year was 41.4, as compared with 51.5 tor the corresponding period of last year. Forty-four X-ray cases were treated, 25 being hospital and 19 private cases. Nine new massage patients received treatment, during the month and 12 were discharged, leaving six receiving treatment at the end of the month.

Matron R. Lockhead reported that Nurse 1. Nicholson had recovered and would resume duty on February 15. Nurse E. M. Robertson had finished her three months’ probation and was ready to be accepted on the staff. Nurses’ cooking lectures were to commence when the Technical School re-opened. Four senior nurses were to go up for the final State examination in June. .Nurse Robertson was appointed to the permanent staff. Matron M. Laing, of the Old People's Home, acknowledged receipt of donations from the Park Bowling Club, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Salvation Army, Messrs. Elliott and Sturrock, ami the Alethodist Bible Class.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES. Mr. F. G. Coleman, sanitary inspector, wrote to the board stating: "Haying read in the New Plymouth papers' recently of the suggested success of routine swabbing of contacts of diphtheria in keeping down the incidence of the disease and thus reducing the average of occupied beds in the infectious ward of the hospital, it suggests itself to me that a similar procedure here would have a like acceptable result. The swabbing could be carried out either by the household’s medical man, by the hospital staff in some cases, or in others by myself. To my mind this measure is best applied when infectious disease is not epidemic, and if a carrier is detected, then it may be the means of preventing something in the nature of an epidemic. “Using the simile of a stone thrown into a pool, swabbing in the initial stages might pick up the cause of the disturbance before it strikes the surface of the pool, or at least before the ripple has spread, while applied later it must necessarily involve much increased labour and expense and additional calls on your accommodation before the further crop of carriers can be detected.” —The suggestion was referred to the medical superintendent for his report.

GENERAL BUSINESS. The Minister’s approval of the appointment of Miss E. M. Nutsey as matron of the Hawera hospital was received. Miss Nutsey notified the board that she would be able to take up her new appointment on April 1. Dr. J. MeGhie wrote expressing appreciation of the board’s action in granting him leave of absence and allowing Dr. Stokes to act as locum tenems. Dr. MeGhie said he had greatly benefited in health as well as having had opportunity of visiting many hospitals in America and England. The board’s architects, Messrs. DuffiH and Gibson, reported that the contractor (Mr. T. C. Young) was still making good progress with the erection of the new hospital. The roof tiling was practically completed, and the steel ceiling work was well under way. A further certificate for progress payment to the amount of £4224 had been issued, making the total payment to date £50,264.

v DEATH OF MRS. BOWEN. The death of Mrs. T. Bowen occurred at a private hospital yesterday after a long illness. Mrs. Bowen, who was only 41 years of age, was a daughter of-Mr. and Mrs. J". J. Connell, of Hawera. .two settlers well known throughout Taranaki. Outside her family circle the loss of Mrs. Bowen will be keenly felt by a large circle of friends. She was particularly popular in musical circles as a pianiste and violiniste of considerable talent. For a long time she was accompaniste to the Male Choir, and her services were always available for el/iritable or other purposes.

Mrs. Bowen is survived by her husband, Mr. Thomas Bowen, two sons anil one daughter, all the fliildren being under 14 years of age. The funeral will take place to-xqprrbw (Tuesday) afternoon, MOTOR-CYCLE RACES. A day filled with the most exciting sport, is promised at the annual race meeting of the Hawera Motor-Cycle Club an the Egmont Racing Club’s course on Wednesday. The biggest meeting in the history of the club is anticipated, and the forty competitors entered should provide the spectators with many thrilling moments. Six l of the country’s best riders will start off the same mark in the classic invitation race. Special arrangements have been made for reduced taxi fares from Hawera to the course, and the tea kiosk will he in the charge of the Women’s National Reserve. A half-day’s holiday will be observed by the law and some other, offices in Hawera.