REMANDED FOTf MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7013, 31 January 1901, Page 1

REMANDED FOTf MEDICAL TREATMENT.

», — ♦ — ' OASES SENT TO THE HOSPITAL./ DISCUSSION AT THE HOSPITAL .BOARD. At the Hospital Board meeting yesterday afternoon, the question of admitting delirium ' tremens patients cases into the institution ■ came up for discussion. The Chairman said this was becoming a serious matter. Delirium tremfems cases had beea sent >o the I hospital' by the Magistrates, and it might be-*the law that the hospital should receive these cases, but the staff protested. If the cases were to be taken to the hospital, he would recommend that male attendants ' should be appointed. Tlie Government shkmld build 1 a proper place for the reception, of flhe cases, but meantime a male warder should be .appointed for No. 6 Ward, and nurses in that ward should be dispensed with. • Perhaps one of the small rooms could-be padded for violent cases. Mr Dunlop moved that the matter should be referred Ho the House Committee. ; Mr Rollitt asked df Mt Dunlbp :woulfi i add to, his motdon that th#,matter should b£ s .discussed at a special meeting of tihe Boaard. ; He considered it would be a disgrace if t nursas were asked to treat those cases ; - thte : lunatio asylum was -the proper place. The doctor on one occasion had had his coat > torn off, and on- another a nurser lhad had 'her < -„ wrist broken. ' Dr Crooke asked -what should be done ! meantime.- He would ask that a warder be appointed. He could not have the, nurses attending, as they might receive personal 1 injury.- The patients were frequently viq- '.. lent for the first few days after admittance, ! = and were a danger to attendants andi £ other .patients,, unless : <a .warder; -was in attettdiEncsl' ' ■' *"- .■ J ■ " , ' - Mr M'Haffie thought the Board should I have a legal opinion on the matter. De- • lirium tremens Avas a disease, and as long i as th© sale of drink was justified toe victims- • should be regarded as patients vsuffering . from a disease. He considered the wives > and children of the inebriates in these cases ! should be thought of. r Mr Rennie was in favour of appointing a, i warder to. assist the doctor. ■' > Mr Duniop said lie would adapt the sngi gestion, and would amend his resolution to :• refer the matter to a special meeting of the Board. l This was carried. It was then resolved that a warder should . be appointed temporarily to assist, the doctor in dealing with the eases of delirium tremens.