THAMES HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2031, 8 July 1875, Page 2

THAMES HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.

■The General Committee of the above institution held its usual monthly meeting yesterday afternoon at the Salutation Hotel. Present —Rev J. Crump (in the chair), Messrs Prater, Bagnall, Gudgeon, Macrab, McCullough, Davis, Brown, Hudson, Comer and Eenshaw. The minutes of last monthly meeting were read and confirmed. HOUSE COMMITTEE. The House Committee's report was read as follows, and adopted:—" The House Committee have to report that daring the past month one dozen blankets, a cupboard for one of the wards, and a plate rack for the kitchen,'* which things were much needed, have been obtained and;;approved of. A further supply of firewood is at once required, and it is necessary that the incoming House Committee; should be empowered to procure the same. Miss Morris, formerly matron in the female ward, having recovered her healthy has been engaged to fill* those duties again in the place of, Mrs Riddel, who has 1 resigned and left. The account? for the month, amounting to £83 7s 6d, j have been examined, and are recommended for payment, the salaries account being left for the general .committee to pass, on account of one of the warders having been sick during two weeks in the , month." Mr Smith, the warder in- question, was sick for two weeks, but, as he has always fulfilled his duties faithfully, it was decided to pay his wages in fu11.,, HOUSE SURGEON'S EEPOET. The following report was read:—" Gentlemen, —I make the following statement of the" state of the hospital during the past month: — Remaining in hospital, May^ 31, 25 -.—Admitted, June 1 to 30, 18; discharged, 19 ; died, 2; remaining, June 30th,, 22; daily average of sick, 21|; number of out patients treated,-79. Of the two deaths referred to, one occurred from fever, the- other from cancer of the- throat. The nurse lately appointed to the female ward has found herself unable to carry on. the duties of her office, and on that account tendered -her resignation for the end of thecurrent month. Some small improvements have been effected in the wards, and, in the absence of the-House Committee (which has not met during the~ month), 1 have ordered the^ following necessary articles, viz.:—One dozen blankets, a small cupboard and stand, with test-glasses, for use in the wards; a plate-rack for the kitchen, &c. With, regard to the blankets, it is desirable to mention that a sufficient stock did not exist to allow those in use to be washed, without, depriving the beds of them. I therefore deemed it necessary that no delay should take place in furnishing a proper supply. With the exception of those patients located iv the small portion of the hospital, which has been cleaned and painted (or varnished), I have to report *fchat complaints are still made, both iv the male and female wards, of the bed-bugs which infest the wooden walls of the buildings. Again, at the risk of being considered tiresome, I- redirect the attention of your committee to the necessity for the adoption of means to mitigate this nuisance, and to remind the committee that since" the report of the medical staff for January, 1874 (nearly eighteen months ago),'the .desirability of this reform has been again and again strongly advocated _by myself, and admitted- by successive committees (as your minute-book will testify), without any really practical remedy having been applied by the committee. Mr McCullough, speaking on behalf of the House Committee, informs me that the small eye-ward having been irebbvated by. that 'committee, we are to wait and see how it succeeds, and and if so,; perhaps : the ' committee may extend the-process to the rest of the institution. Meanwhile, however, not only are "the poor sufferers, themselves complaining,' but visitors to ' the hospital express their dissatisfaction j and disgust, while some even decline to continue visiting, on account of the presence of these unpleasant vermin. Without, therefore, ' venturing on* any personal expression of opinion on the subject, I consider it no more than, my duty to submit for your consideration the facts as they stand.—Chaeles P. Letheeidge, Surgeon.' 1 The report was received. Mr McCullough moved that the House Committee be authorised to have the re - maining wards treated, if that already treated had been found to answer the purpose. Mr Bagnall seconded the motion, which was carried. " . . . Mr E. BLennan sent in his resignation, which was accepted, and upon the motion of Mr Macnab Captain Souter was elected to fill the vacancy. The Rev. V. Lush also tendered his resignation. ■ • Mr McCullough, in moving its acceptance, - remarked that a resolution should he passed expressing regret that Mr Lush should find it necessary to resign, as the rev. gentleman had been one of the. most useful, and one of the oldest members of the Committee. Mr Eenshaw suggested that the matter be held- over for a, month. To this course several objected, and the resignation was ultimately accepted. , Mr Sandes was proposed by Mr McCullough, but it was found that he . was not eligible. Mr L. Ekrenfricd was 1 elected in place of Mr Lu*h. DB. LETHBEIDGE's CLAIM. I A letter was received from Mr Tyler applying on behalf of Dr. Lethbndge for £7 10s, balance said to be due to him for attendance at the Measles Hospital,' and also a demand for 10s 6d for writing- the letter from Mr Tyler. Messrs Macnab, Eowe, and McCullough, the members of the House Committee who dealt with "this matter in last April, in reply to questions, related the whole circumstances, and their reasons for refusing to pay the amount now claimed, it not being justly due.- Mr Frater also related what he had to do with the matter, and that the Dr had been paid £2 5s for the term contracted for by Mr Mcllhone and himself at the first opening of the Measles Hospital. Mr Eenshaw said he could not help remarking that Dr Lefhbridge was adopting a very injudicious course, although at law he might recover the amount. Mr McCul-

lough wouldagreeto thoamountbeingpaid, but at the same time would protest against the injustice of Dr Lethbridge's claim. •He thought the doctor should havo sent in his claim at the time, instead of. waiting until he had left the institution. It looked very like being done just because be had lost the appointment. Mr Davis and others made remarks, including Mr Brown, who moved'that the amount should be paid, but at the same time did not consider the Committee were justified in paying it. - Mr Bagnall objected to it being paid, if the Committee thought it was not.a just charge. Mr Brown offered to bear' half tKc*ex. penses in defending the action if any other member would support him. Mr McCullough seconded the motion that the amount be paidj'which was carried. Messrs. Crump, Comer/ Adams and Johns were elected House CommitteVfor the ensuing month,-, ■ ,"* ; \,'-/ L A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the business.