HOSPITAL BOARS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16797, 22 July 1920, Page 5

HOSPITAL BOARS.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tho monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was hold -at tho board’s office, Now Plymouth, on Wednesday, Mr. 51. Fraser (chairman) presiding. There were also present: Yiossrs. J. Andrews, F. J. Hill, E Gilraour, A. H. Halcombe, J. Young, G. Capper and G. Young. An apology was received from slr. 0. Andrews. 51EDICAL SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. * \ . \ Dr. Walker, medical superintendent, reported that the number of patients admitted to the hospital was iOO and 109 patients had been discharged. The number remaining in the institution' was 37. Tho highest number for one day was IQS, the daily average being 93.8. Tho number of operations was 4G. Juno, Dr. Walker, added, had been a lighter month all round. There wore at present six cases of diphtheria under treatment and throe of scarlet fever. The heating of tiso building had been seriously interfered with throughout the nonth owing to the shortage of coke. This was still present and urgently required remedying. The quality of the coal was also inferior. Thercs was no improvement in the time of delivery of milk, Which still arrived at-9.30 in place of 7.45 a.m. HOUSE STEWARD’S REPORT. - slr. C. F. B. Perrin, dispenser and house steward, reported on various matters which had occupied his attention during the month. It bad been impassible to keep the radiators on continually, owing to tho shortage of ccko. The chairman said tho question of beating was a serious one. Notwithstanding the fact that tho board paid oi or £IOO. last month for fuel the stall had been uuahlo to get tho place properly warm. „ In reply to Mr. J. Young the secretafy said the trouble appeared to he due entirely to the difficulty of obtaining adequate supplies of coke. Th.‘ boilers wore not .suitable for burning coal. a The matter was referred to the House and Finance Committee to go into and report. in regard to the milk supply it was pointed out that it had been impossible for the manager to have the milk at tho hospital at tho time mentioned because be had not the necessary assistance. However a further assistant had been engaged this week and efforts would bo made to o.vorcorao the trouble. MATRON’S REPORT. , ’ Bliss Campbell, matron of the hos- ■ pital, reported that sliss Kenison had commenced her .three months',term of training on probation. Nurse- Siddens had severed her connection with tho hospital, and Nurse Macdonald left after six months’ training owing to th j death of her father. Tho hot water service in the main, kitchen was most unsatisfactory and hot water had :o I be carried some distance for washfflg dishes, clc. This, same system also supplied the maids’ bathroom. Tim laundry was a. very' serious problem and required immediate alteration. ' The matters referred to in sliss Campbell's report will be dealt with by the House and Finance Committee. REPORTS OF DISTRICT NURSES

District. Nawo Fenn (Uruti) reported that there had boon very little sickness in tho district during the past month, A few cases of a raild form of influenza bid been attended. Three casts called at the cottage for minor dressings. District Nurse AUFadgon -tOpunakc) reported having advised or attended four cases of sickness among Europeans and ono among Maoris. There was a fair number ot cases of mumps in and around the district. HEALTH INSPECTOR’S REPORT. Mr. A. H. Kendall, health inspector, reported that sinco his report of May 19, 256 oases of infections disease had been notified in the district; seven casts of scarict lover, 13 of diphtheria, threo of enteric, ,207 of influenza, one of tetanus, ono of erysipelas, and eight of pneumonia. There had been one death ’from scarlet fever, one from tuberculosis, and tv.'o from pneumonia. Since influenza had been removed from the list of notifiable diseases there had been a great decrease in the total number of cases notified, and tho notifications for the month of July and up to daft had been tiro cases of scarlet fever (ono in Waitara and ono in New Plymouth), four cases of diphtheria (two in the Taranaki County, ono in New Plymouth, and one in tho Egmont County), three cases of enteric (two in the Taranaki County and one in the l Egmont County), four cases of varicella (threo in New Plymouth and one in Waitara). one case of tetanus-(in New Piymouht), one case of erysipelas (at Waitara), and four cases of pneumonia (the fatal ono in tile Clifton County). The total number of cases notified during tho month of July (to date) mas 19, or rather lower than-the normal average of cases for a similar period. RANGTATEA HOME. Mrs. Rayly, matron of the Rangiatoa Home, reported that everything had been progressing very favourably during tho past month. Supplies had been good and discipline excellent. Tho number of inmates in tho home was 43—males 35, females 8. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were received from Messrs S. G. Smith, M.P., W. T. Jennings, M.P., R. Masters, M.P.,*and AV'. D. Powdroll, M.P., expressing their sympathy ' with Hio board’s resolution endeavouring to .secure simultaneous revaluations of local body districts. Similar • correspondence was ree.eived from the Stratford Hospital Board, Ha*era Hospital Board, New Plymouth Borough Council, Egmont County Council, and Inglewood Borough Council. Messrs. Messenger and Griffiths, architects, furnished a progress report in connection with tho erection of tho Nursos’ Home. The Bank of New South Wales notified that tho banks had agreed to a minimum rate of interest on overdrafts of 6 per cent. Dr. Fookos, in acknowledging receipt of the board’s letter, said it was gratifying to know that his services had been appreciated by tho hoard. ' Tho Grey Hospital Board ajked for support of Hip following resolution: — “That tho Minister of Public Health be urged to consider the advisability of appointing an archilodt for the departirr.it, whose services would be available h 1 ■’spitn] boards for the preparation I ' l : ns far bo.-;; : fcn! '•onstruction, alterations, cte.”—Received.

The Health Department notified the .formation of a new Health District, to bo known as the Wangamii-Taranaki Health District, comprising the Tara'naki, Stratford, Hawera, Patea and Wanganui Hospital District. The district will be under the charge of Dr. H. G. H. Monk. The department notified that the beard’s estimates had boon approved, and that the subsidy rate for maintenance purposes would he 16s 8d in the £.

Tire hoard was notified that sanction had been granted to a, police reserve at Oppnake being used as a site for the proposed new cottage hospital. The name of Miss Margaret M. Berry, of Wanganui, was placed on the probationers’ list. Accounts amounting to £I2BB 14s Id were passed for payment, and payments amounting to £950 11s 9d were confirmed.