KARITANE HOSPITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12711, 5 August 1919, Page 5

KARITANE HOSPITAL.

AMONG THE BABIES.

HOME AT CASHMERE.

For Tits Majesty the Baby—and every baby reigns supreme over a dominion of ■ subjects even if it be but the adoring : mother and father—nothing is too good. But sometimes Nature has a way of handicapping a wee babe, and even mother and father are powerless. What ■ then is to be done? Why, see the Ihuhket nurse, of course. .The Plunket Society has done excellent work for years past, and as its usefulness increases infant mortality decreases. Baby welfare lies near the hearts of 'most of us. Just to glanco at our own Karitano Hospital, nestling in a pine-covered grove at the foot of the Cashmere Hills, is to conjure up a mental vision of plump and healthy babies carefully tended by smiling » nurses. Ihis is but one side of the picture. A peep inside the door will very likely show: a harassed and anxious mother with a babe almost reduced to a skeleton, in her arms, talking to the matron. But it is more than likely that could you see that baby a week or two later, after care and attention in the Karitane, Hospital, you would .und it just as bonny and healthy aa uhe “ dream child.” The xvriter. who paid an informal visit to the hospital yesterday, could, even with her untrained eyes, tell which babies had arrived repeutly and which were ready to take their departure- One child looked pinpiied and wan, hut as the matron f ( x P‘ ainc d be had only just craved. 1 Ins child, 3 she said, pointing to a splendidly robust specimen, “was almost in the same condition when he came here a few weeks ago. It was almost unbelievable' There was on© specially heated room for babies who come-into the world too soon. Yesterday it was unoccupied, but to-day a flickering s park will be coaxed into life. These cases have the greatest care. ■lf it was a chance it was certainly a happy one that such a lovely home was found in Christchurch. Babies come here from all over the North Island ; as a matter of fact, there are two _mites from Hawke’s Bay in the hospital now. There are only the two Karitane Homes in New Zealand—one

in -Dunedin and one in Christchurch—but gradually, as the Country wakes up to a realisation of the value of child life, there will be many such institutions throughout New Zealand. The first baby was taken into the hospital in September of last year, and since then over seventy babies have been received, their stay varying from several days to several months. The accommodation is for ten babies at a time, and although one day last week there were only five in the home, there is nearly the full number this week. The house is admirably suited for use as a babies’ hospital and home. There is a large sunny garden in front of the house, where a number of outdoor cots are arranged; there is a receiving room, r fascinating bathroom with everything most spick and span; a well appointed laundry; and most important of all, the preparation room where the hu-

manised milk is prepared. The preparation of the milk is simple enough to experienced nurses, but the greatest care and attention must be observed as to quality, quantity, sterilising, eto. As the strength and quantity differs according to the requirements of each baby, each bottle has the name of its small owner inscribed thereton, go that there should he no mistake- This principle applies throughout, and each baby has a basket of its own. a cot of its own amj. 80 on ; Each baby, of course, has a chart which shows either progress or retrogression, but it is seldom the latter. One of the most important performances is the weighing of the baby which takes place at least twice a week, and more often if necessary- Another thing the writer noticed was the conRTjicu’oiiß absence of the so-called “comforter.” which is too frequently used by mothers.

In England about two years ago Lord Rhondda mentioned that from statistics taken it was found that it was more dangerous to he a baby in England than a soldier in the trenches! In England the people are considerably behind us in regard to these matters, and it is something to be proud of that so much is being don© ?n Christchurch to save the babies. It is said that babies’ lives are more precious now than they ever were—if so, they are precious indeed! The staff of the Karitane Hospital at consists of tho matron, a sister and eight nurses, all. of whom reside there. The training of the girls as fully qualified Plunket nurses is a very important part of tho work, and many girls are taking up Plunket work as a profession. Aftera year’s training at a Karitane Hospital, an examination is compulsory, so that the training is not time wasted.

It should not be imagined for one instant that the Plunket Society does not encourage the mother to give her baby natural milk. At tho Karitane Hospital a nursing mother, whose baby is not progressing satisfactorily is taken into the home and everything posaib> done for her to help her nurse her baby, and sometimes humanised milk is used to augment the natural supply. Occasionally a mother who does not understand the management of a baby is taken into tho homo and taught mothercraft. “ All that is needed,” said the matron, “is practical common sense. That is what we try to use here.” But the writer, who had been illerc_ long enough to judge, knew that practical common sens© meant constant care, unremitting attention, tact and symnathv. The Karitane Baby Hospital ip filling a long felt want, and it is certain that everyone who helped towards its establishment can rest assured that, the result has been worth the effort.— n Stella.”