THE HOSPITAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18029, 18 January 1923, Page 4

THE HOSPITAL.

MEETING- OF THE BOARD

SOUTH CANTERBURY HEALTH AFFAIRS.

The South Canterbury Hospital Board mot yesterday in Timaru. Present: The Rev. T. 'Wilson Potts (chairman), Mrs Til brook. Airs F. A. Rnvniond, and Messrs AY. Black, G. Dash, '\Y. Goddes, R. Sinclair, G. Saunders, E. Hardcastle, and 13. It. Macdonald, Dr. Louglinnn and Dr. Ban', R.A1.0.. and Air H. AS. Russell (secretary and treasurer). GREETINGS.

The Chairman extended the heartiest greetings to the members of the Board for a. very successful and happy New Year, also to the Board’s staff, and to the inmates of the Hospital and Old People's Home. Air Hall, the Board’s architect, t'ho chairman continued, had returned from his world tour, which, ’no -doubt, must have been to him a very instructive trip, in which, in his own. -words,- he must -have had ”u wonderful itme.” ■ AA’hen Mr .Hall went away the Board extended him its host wishes, and lie thought it was only right to accord Lint a hearty welcome home. (Applause.) Air Potts also expressed the Board’s thanks to the Mayor of Timaru (Air F. <E Rollcston, AI.P.) and the Alayor of AVaimato (Air F. Nash) for gifts of £1 Is each to the Christmas gift .fund. The bank account showed a credit of £2897 16s 10d, with the balance of the annual levy on contributing bodies, amounting to £3IOO. and Government subsidy, £2BOO, still outstanding. REPRESENTATION.

The Department of Health wrote that owing to the county and municipal elections, which would take place next April and May, an opportunity was being taken to revise, where necessary, the representation of contributing local authorities on Hospital Boards before that date, and an Qrdcr-in-Couneil would be prepared in .January. On consideration of the latest figures in regard to population and valuation no change was required in the South Canterburydistrict.—The letter was: received. REPORTS.

Dr. Parr, R.M.0., reported in detail on the work of the Hospital. During tho absence of Dr. Gurr on annual, leave AJr, \V . H. B. Bull bad acted as clinical student, while Dr. Lynch took Dr. Gurr’s position as assistant medical officer. Their services iiad been extremely satisfactory, and there liad been ample work for both. Flo suggested that a clinical assistant might be appointed for six months at a salary at the rate of £IOO per annum. Fie knew that the- services of a man who lwicl completed his medical course could be obtained, and lie would be willing to return as A.M.O. after dune, when Dr. Gurr would be leaving. The re-arrange-ment of wards bad reduced the requirements to three ward sisters instead of lour. Sister Arthur wished to resign from the end of this month. Her services had been quite satisfactory, but there would be no suitable work for her now that annual leaves were over, and lie suggested that her resignation should be accepted. ; The report was adopted, including tho appointment of a clinical assistant. Dr. Parr also reported that tho number of cases remaining from November were 62, admitted during . December, 62; discharged during December, 54; remaining at date, 60. The occupied beds varied from 55 to 65, and averaged 60.5. Of tho 54 persons discharged 43 were cured, 10 relieved, and 1 died. Of the 60 remaining, 18 had been in the Hospital over two months. Two obstetric eases were admitted; no diphtheria. There remained three men and one woman with pulmonary tuberculosis. Thirteen major and 15 minor operations were performed, and surgical assistance was obtained on two occasions. Ninety-six persona were treated as out-patients, the total attendances being 244. ' Alassage and electrical treatments numbered 99, eight inpatients and five out-patients being under such treatment.

At tho Talbot Hospital one remaining case of scarlet fever was discharged on December 19, and the Hospital had been empty since that date. The master of the Old People’s Home (Mr F. Mulvihill) reported for tho month ended January 12 that three men were admitted to the Home and two discharged. At present there are 34 men and two women in the Home. The health of the inmates had been good, and there had been no occasion to call in the R.M.O. of Timaru Hospital. Reading matter had been received fr6m the “Timaru Post” Company, Salvation Army and several friends; while gifts of flowers had been received from Mrs Tooth and calces from Mr Sliowan. The Christmas season passed off well. On Sunday morning (Christmas Eve) Divine service was held by Archdeacon Julius, and special Christmas carols were sung by Mrs Rule, the accompaniments being played by Mrs Julius. Chi Christinas morning “Father Christmas,” with a, numerous following, lmd visited the Home and presented each inmate with a suitable gift, and on the same day Miss Gibson visited tho Home and each inmate was the recipient of a present at her hands. These gilts -were supplemented by presents from the Board. On New Year’s Day the inmates were the guests of thcv South Canterbury Caledonian Society at tho sports whiohl were held that day. cars being provided by the Society and Mr Harding. Divine service had been held each Sunday afternoon during the month.

The Chairman made reference to the public generosity and thoughtfulness at Christmas time. It was gratifying to find so many people willing to make some happiness for the unfortunate. (Hear, hear.) The reports were adopted. DISTRICT HOSPITALS.

Sistor Roberts, in oliarge of Geraldine Hospital, reported that fire patients had been treated during the month ended December 31. There -was now a baby seventeen days old under treatment. A chair and hammock for use of the patients had been presented to the Hospital by Mr and Mrs J. M. H. Tripp. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr and Mrs Tripp. Sister Spittle reported that work _in thio Fairlio Hospital was being canned on satisfactorily. The minutes of the last meeting of the Waimate Hospital Committee were laid on the table and taken as read. On the invitation of Mr Qeddes (chairman), the Board decided to pay an official visit to Waimate on February 8.

RETURN OF PATIENTS. The monthly returns of patients in the various institutions under the Board’s control wero submitted as follows * Fairlie —Patients at last report, 1; admitted during the month, 8; discharged, 9; remaining, nil. Geraldine —Patients at last, return, 1- admitted', 4; discharged, 3; remaining, 2. Waimate—At last return, 21 males, 18 females; admitted. 15 anil 9; discharged, 21 and 17; remaining 15 and If) respectively. Timaru —At last return, 33 males, 2s) females; admitted, 28 and 25; discharged, 28 a.nd 2G; remaining, 33 and 2( '' HOSPTTi\T, BY-TxAWB. In cnnseijuenee of the Hoard's resolution to dispense with the services ot

the honorary staff, the sub-committee which had been appointed, consisting of Mr Potts, Dr. Pair and the secretary, submitted an interim report on tlio alteration of the by-laws to suit the changed conditions. After a short discussion it was decided, on the motion of Mr Dashl, seconded by Mr Black, that tho subcommittee’s attention should be drawn to the policy of tho Board in relation to paying wards, and that this should be remembered in tho further drafting of the by-laws. It was explained that the interim report merely set out tho basis of the new by-laws. A discussion which took place concerning the treatment of consumption is reported elsewhere in this issue.