THE HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16466, 19 June 1919, Page 5

THE HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid .Hoard met at Now Plymouill on Wednesday. Those present were: Messrs. M. Eraser (chairman), J. Andrews, E, J. I! ill, it. Gilmour, O. Andrews, A. H. Halcombe, S. Campbell, J. Young, G. Capper and G. Young. MEDICAL SLiPER INTENDENT’S REPORT. The report of the medical superintendent (.Dr. E. A. Walker) ior May gave the following particulars: Number of patients admitted So, discharged Si', died u, remaining in hospital SJti; highest number for one day iOG, daily average 98.6; number of operations, 56. The report continued: “Another busy -month has to ho recorded, the daily average being the highest for the year. The examinations for the nursing certificate of the hospital were field on June -1, 6, and 9, when Nurses Hirst, Great-bach, Corkill, and Lansloy were successful in passing. The State examination was held on the 11th and Tilth. Seven cases of diphtheria are under treatment in the isolation block and two of scarlet fever.” MATRON’S REPORT. The matron (Miss B. A. Campbell) reported that Nurse Lansloy went off duty on holiday leave on June 16, and Sisters - Bowden and Jlilditeh resumed duty after holiday leave on May 21. Nurse Milroy had resumed duty after one month’s leave of absence, and Nurses Hudson and Smith were off duty through sickness. Miss Robertson 'and Miss Francis commenced their training on Juno‘6 and 16 respectively, on three months’ probation. The report concluded by again drawing the attention of the hoard to the unsatisfactory state ■of the kitchen. HEALTH INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The hoard’s inspector (Mr. A. H. Kendall) reported that during the past month 33 oases of infectious disease had been notified in the district, consisting of five cases of diphtheria, two eases of enteric fever, four'cases of tuberculosis, one ease of puerperal fever, 20 cases of influenza. tn<l one case of ccrcbro-.spinal meningitis. Iheso cases were located as follows; —In the Taranaki county, two cases of diphtheria- and- nine of influenza; in New Plymouth, three eases diphtheria, one case of enteric fever, three eases tuberculosis. one case influenza, and one case cercbro-spinal meningitis; at M aitara, one case enteric fever, and four cases influenza; at Inglewood two cases of influenza ; in Egmcmt county, one case tuberculosis, four cases influenza, and one case puerperal fever; in Clifton county, one case influenza. The report stated that the enteric fever cases 1 wore both well on the way to recovery; one of the cases was clearly proved" to have been imported from another district. All the cases of influenza were of a mild type. ’Flic meningitis had not yet boon traced. In all cases proper precautions had been taken to prevent the spread of infection. The Opnnakc district nurse, reporting for the period up to Juno- 14, said the district seemed fairly free of sickness at that time. One girl had had measles. OTHER REPORTS. The dispenser and house steward (Mr. C. E. B. Perrin) reported that Warder Clarke went off duty with diphtheria on June 10.

The matron of tin' Old People’s Home reported that everyth nig had hoen progressing favourably during tho month. There had boon one departure, and remaining in tho homo were. 3-t males and 9 females.

Tho manager of the board’s farm (Mr. W. 0. Noble) stated in his report for May that 30 rows had produced 11.7051b5. of milk. ’ which was only enough to keep things quiet. Eight’ fat pigs had been sent out. On

the first of the month eight of the best cows, had been stabled. This made more work, but the manager was satisfied the returns wore much more satisfactory. Ho was confident that there would be an abundance of milk this winter, several cows were coming to profit shortly. GENERAL. The Duller Hospital and Charitable Aid Board forwarded a copy of the following resolution for which support was asked : “That the Minister for Hospitals be asked to have the Pensions Act amended so that widows with children under the required age may be entitled to the widow’s pension, irrespective of length of residence. in Now Zealand.”—The board decided to send the resolution as a remit to the Dominion conference of hospital boards. The applications of A. D. AA’arnock and A. S. Scott, ol New Plymouth, to be placed on the list of probationers were approved. The Hnwera Hospital and Charitable AM Board wrote regarding compulsory isolation, being of the opinion that legislation should be introduced giving hospital boards (or some other responsible body) the power to compel persons suffering with, and suspected of having, infectious diseases, to be properly isolated, and that adequate accommodation bo jirovided lor this purpose. The Hawera board wished to know if the Taranaki and Stratford boards would co-operate in bringing the matter before Urn proposed Dominion conference of hospital hoards.—lt was pointed ont that health inspectors have power to compel isolation, but the board decided to give the support asked for. 11l view of the pending conference of hospital boards. Air. Gilmoiir withdrew his notice of motion regarding increases in nurses’ pay.