THE TIMARU HOSPITAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2743, 9 July 1883, Page 3

THE TIMARU HOSPITAL.

The following is the report of the Inspector of Hospitals on the above institution, preeented to Parliiment : — This hospital ia well situated about a mile from the railway station, on elevated ground, with a gooJ view of the sra_. It stands m about 4i acres of land, which is said to belong to the Park ; about one acre is well cropped as a vegetable and fruit garden ; and the large portion m front of the Hospital is tastefully laid out as a flower garden, and kept m beautiful order. The building consists of a central and older portion, a large wing on the right, and two wings on the left-hand side. The central block contains tho administrative offices, viz., consulting-room, dispensary, storeroam, Steward's room, Steward's office, kitchen, and its offices ; there are alio two rooms for the Resident Medical Officer. To the right is the old female ward, now u»ed only as a sort of wjrk-room for the Matron. Above the central portion are two bedrooms, occupied by four servunte, and another by the Steward and Matron. The latter is badly situated, and the Medical Officer's room is small and close. The old female ward might with advantage be subdivided to remedy tbe?e defects. In the entrance-hall is a bookoa»o containing a small but good library of entertaining books for the patients' use. The kitchen is small and poor ; there is a good range here, but trial is boing marie of cooling by gas, which, if not too costly, is sure to prove Bucceisful. Adjoining are a scullery, pantry and larder; the scullery has a " geyser" for heating water by means of ga». The right-hand wing of tho building it connected with the central block by n, coTored passage, and was erected as a fever-hospital. It contains a large ward m front, with ten beds, none of which are m use at present. The back part of the wing contains another ward with sixteen bais: this is occupied as a female inedicil and surgical warJ. Adjoining it ia a smaller room with two beds, and also a ward kitchen, nurset' room and store. Bathrooms, lavatories, and earth-closets are properly placed at the extremitio3 of Iho large wards ; and between these projections, m the front part of the wing, is a small portion curtained off as a reading-room. On tho lefthand eido of the building is the male medical ward, and behind it a smaller one with two beds, a atire-room, ward-kitchen and nurses' room. The wing to the extreme left has a largo ward with twenty -two beds, with similar arrangements m its rear. The bedsteads are of iron, with straw palliasses, hair mattresses, flock bolsters and feather pillows. The whole of tha bed-clothing is scrupulously clean, and, though aome of it is much worn, m excellent repair. The floors are waxod, an! very clean; but that m the larga male ward i 9 rendered very unsightly from rough usage by nailed boots. The windows are large, and have top faa-lighta, whioh are readily opened. Various appliances for introducing fresh air, and getting rid of that which is foul, are m usb. There are m the larger wards central double fireplaces, with ascending chimney-3bafts. Lighting is effected by gas-pendants. Plain and suitable furniture is provided, and also small ornaments and cnt flowers, imparting to all the rooms a comfortable appearance. The windows ara fitted with green Venetian blinds. Earth-closets are m use, and regularly emptied by the town contractor. One of the baths is heated (experimentally) by gas. The dispensary is a very commodious one ; drugs supplied by a local chemist. Tbera ia a good cabinet of surgical instruments of considerable value. Here also is kept the register of outpatients, who are now permitted to attend upon any day. No prescription-book is kopt, nor case-book. The Steward keeps the inpatients' register, and procures payment whore possible from patients, at the rate of £1 Is a week ; some of those bring a recommendation for admission, but the Medical Officer admits any patient whom he may consider to be suitable for treatment. Tha Steward also keeps a ftoroa ledger, and a book showing what (stimulants are issued ; he has also an inventory of hospital properties, which he corrects every half-year ; no ward inventories are m use. There is a fixed soale of dietary, but no printed rules for officers, servants, patients, or visitors. Tbo Committee meet at the Council Chamber, when the Steward attends as Secretary ; members of the Committee visit frequently at the Hospital. Other visitors than relatives of patients are few, and gifts of useful or ornamental things rare. The clergy are frequent m their attendance. At the time of my visit there were twonty-four male and two female inpatients : two of theßa would be properly inmates of a refuge, one of them having occupied a hospital bed for eighteen years. The laundry is a detached building behind the kitchen, and contains a drying-closet and a few other simple appliances ; the dryingcloset is sot used, being troublesome and extravagant m fuel. Behind this building ia a large fowl-yard ; near it is the mortuary, a small and poor wooden building. Water ia laid on from tbe town's supply at a nominal annual charge ; the rain water is collected for use m the laundry. The buildings I found to be m good repair. Great order and cleanliness everywhere prevailed, and the patients appeared to be very kindly treated. My visit gave me a pleaaing impression, and I was satisfied that the Steward and Matron render valuable service.