The Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1886, THE WANGANUI HOSPITAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5899, 11 May 1886, Page 2

The Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1886, THE WANGANUI HOSPITAL.

It has been a subject of frequent remark that among all the Hospital rows throughout the colony, such a thing has never occurred here, nor has the harmony of the institution been in any way interrupted. The reason for this pleasant state of affairs has been the holding of the appointment of Surgeon by a gentleman whose estimable qualities have made him a general favourite with all classes. For nearly twenty years Dr Earle has held the appointment, and never during that long period has he been in hot water with any one connected with the institution. Every patient who has been under his care there has found in him a skilful and assiduous medical attendant, and a gentleman whose kindly manner has lightened many a pain and ache. We regret exceedingly now to learn that Dr Earle has found it incumbent on him to sever his connection with an institution with which he has been connected for so many years, and given such general satisfaction in. He finds his large private practice needs all his time and attention, and that the hour has come for him to resign his Hospital appointment, which has of late years been demanding services and attendances far beyond what the salary attached to it is anything like adequate compensation for. Indeed, the number of persons now receiving treatment, both as inside and outside patients, is quite large enough to take up the entire time and attention of a resident Surgeon, whose services will have to be paid for at a much higher rate than has hitherto been the case. In losing the services of Dr Earle the whole Hospital District sustains a heavy loss, and one we fear it will not easily make good, as the many years of unbroken harmony under his rule is quite an unique experience in the history of public hospitals, which are generally in hot water at intervals of very short duration. Skilful men are not always endowed with tact and genial manners, and are apt to take offence where none is intended and to make a fuss over trifles, whilst others are of the opinion that the manners they take into private practice are not required in an hospital, and that patients in the latter have no right to expect gentleness and kindness at the hands of the doctor. We have heard hospital doctors in other places speak to the patients as though the latter were criminals, and treat them in the very roughest and inconsiderate fashion. Here, fortunately, the patients have had a gentleman to look after them, and a conscientious and skilful one at that. The public of Wanganui are greatly indebted to Dr Earle for the way he has conducted the institution, and we feel sure they will join heartily with us in regretting the severance of a connection, which, during its many years duration, has ever been a pleasant one. In dealing with Dr Earle's resignation the Hospital Board will have some work before them, as the time has come for the Hospital being placed in charge of a resident medical officer, as the work to be done is far too heavy for any private practitioner to attempt to carry on in addition to his bther practice. We want a new Hospital badly, and in it proper quarters for the resident medical man, With a resident surgeon there would also have to be two or three honorary visiting medical men, as the work at times requires two and three doctors to be present during important operations, of which" so large a number have been successfully carried out lately in the Wanganui Hospital by Drs Earle, Tripe, and Connolly, the latter two of whom have always been ready and willing to give their services when required, for which they are to be much commended. In resigning his present appointment, we trust that Dr Earle will not entirely BeveF his connection with the Hospital, but that he will consent to be appointed an honorary visiting medical officer, as his long experience of Hospital matters will be of the greatest value to the institution. Such an appointment by the Hospital Board would be but a small acknowledgment of the value of the services Dr Earle has for so many years rendered the public on this coast, and we feel sure the members of the Board will agree with us that in conferring it upon him they are only faintly expressing their high esteem and appreciation of a gentleman of whom it is safe to say there is but one opinion, and that a most favourable one, as he has made all friends and no enemies. Should his successor be equally fortunate, Wanganui will Le exceptionally lucky and much to be congratulated.