"MEDICAL COMFORTS."

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1156, 24 June 1885, Page 3

"MEDICAL COMFORTS."

A great sensation (says the Melbourne "Leader") was created not many years ago by the publication of certain statistics respecting the supply of alcoholic stimulants to the patients of the Melbourne Hospital. The expense 1 attending the system was declared to be enormous, and out of all proportion to the means of the institution or the necessities of the several classes. " Comforts," as they are designated, were administered not in accordance with any rule or principle. The quantity and quality allowed depended solely upon the will and pleasure of the, members of the honorary medical staff. But a moral no less than an economic question was found to be involed in this unrestricted use of champagne, brandy, whisky, wine and other luxuries. It was declared that many habitual drunkards traced the origin of their misfortune to the liberal use of stimulants while iqmates of the hospital. Even those who were disposed to accept those statements cum grano sails could not deny that an abuse existed, while the ultra advocates of temperance regarded the system with horror, and commenced an agitation with a view to the establishment of an hospital conducted >on temperance principles. It was not, however, until very recently that the movement took a practical form. Last week a meeting .was held, under the presidency of Dv ( Eose, for; the purpose of discussing 1 the project, and a good deal of interest, appeared to be attached to the proceedings. Mr Tucker,, the' Minister ofiJDanda,' was roundly ; rated for, having failed to grant a site, for the. building, and rather than allow the proposal. to fall flat it was, suggested that a commencement be made immediately by renting suitable, .premises . for , the objects required; . , ' • ■ . , t . ;■'