Odd Days in a South Sea Dispensary

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XIV, Issue 2, 1 April 1921, Page 80

Odd Days in a South Sea Dispensary

When the medical officer calls at the island work commences at 7 a.m., the nurse collecting and preparing patients for the doctor to see. There are not usually many at that time, but when Dr. Collins arrives at 8 a.m. a crowd follows him up, for news of his keen interest m the Raratongans and his successful treatment of "yaws" has preceded him, and the parents, without exception, are anxious to place their offspring m his hands. "Yaws" flourish exceedingly here, with unique specimens. Doctor sets to work at once, treating one patient after the other m quick succession (intravenous injection or intra-muscular, as the case may be), with no trouble or objection on the part of the little patients, who are evidently inspire! by the look of confidence on their parents' faces. They, the parents, stand by, amazed at the dexterity of the operator. They are equally amazed at the result, for m a few days they will return with their children, some carrying them several miles across the island, and push their way through the crowd into the dispensary, shouting, "Where's the doctor? I want see that doctor ! I want him see my child: she come better!" These interrup-

tions do not help us, and hinder us considerably. Nurse, being- unaccustomed to the hurricane methods of outdoor dispen-' sary work, the tropical heat, mosquitoes, and babbling of unknown tongue, is heard to mutter: "Many more of these 'Yaws' cases, and I'll have them on the soles of ma puir feet!" Work continues all morning 1 , until the doctor, reaching the limit of endurance or finishing' the patients collected, rises, takes the line of least resistance — i.e., the back way — and disappears. Polypi Day. — The native assistant (new to the "business") was bravely holding a patient's head whilst doctor was extracting nasal polyps m streamers, with a far-away look m her eyes, and saying, "Nurse, I don't feel well!" She backed towards the window, "to heave up," as she expressed herself; slid out head first, and vanished. Next day, enquiring what happened to her, she exclaimed, '"Oh, nurse, 1 was dre'fful bad — all day eat nothing, only drink a little water. Maori not like see bluggy things!" Poor old "Ariette," as we know her! She must have been pretty bad to go off her "kai." 'Nuff sed!