The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TESDAY, JUNE 7, 1887. THE ASHBURTON HOSPITAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1578, 7 June 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TESDAY, JUNE 7, 1887. THE ASHBURTON HOSPITAL.

Dr McGregor, the Inspector of the Hospitals of the Colony, has submitted his report to Parliament. As his remarks m regard to the Ashburton Hospital will most likely be found of inteiest we reproduce the greater portion of them. He 6ays that the Hospital is an ambitious-looking structure, very badly adapted for its purpose. The original plan was evidently made by somebody who either knew or cared nothing about Hospital requirements, and no subsequent expenditure can remedy the matter. It stands m a reserve of about eight acres half a mile from the railway station. A large part ol the land is an old river bed, and the rest is very light shingly soil. The approach is spacious and well gravelled, flauked by straggling flower beds and a few trees. The building consists of two separate blocks, built of red brick with white stone facings, and a slate roof patched together m front by means of a large enclosed corridor filled with pot plants, and communicating behind by means of a tortuous passage from the large male ward to the kitchen. The male ward stands at the far end of a long passage flanked by single rooms, three on the one side and four on the other, at right angles to the front corridor. Its dimensions are 28ft by 22 ft with two windows at each end. Ventilation is secured by fretwork openings m the ceiling and four ventilators halfway down the walls. Besides these at the top of the windows are glass louvres, moveable by a string. The whole ward is spoiled by a huge brick stalk m the middle like a factory chimney. The ward contains ten iron bedsteads, one being a patent lever bed for surgical cases, all with hair mattresses and good clean bedding. The lavatory, closets, and bathrocm are well constructed and well kept. The male ward and the single rooms are all painted m one monotonous color. All, however, are kept scrupulously clean, and on the whole are very comfortable. The first floor is reserved for female patients. On the left of the .landing are two wards— one the public ward, 16ft by 1 6ft, with one large window with three divisions, having holland blinds. The ventilation is defective, there being no opening m the ceiling. This ward contains three beds, and is neatly , furnished. Rain water is collected m a large underground tank for use m the laundry. For domestic use an abundant supply is got from an artesian well. The sewage is carried by a nineinch pipe into a concrete tank, which overflows into the shingle of the old river bed. Dr Macgregor says that he found all the stores of good quality, and a register properly kept. Dr Trevor is very assiduous m the performance of his duties. Mrs Mackay is m charge of the hospital, and the way m which it is kept shows most manifestly that there is no neglect on her part. , The patients were unanimous m their praises of doctor and matron, and I have no doubt that their treatment is all that could be desired.