RETRENCHMENT

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 836, 7 June 1910, Page 6

RETRENCHMENT

WHAT HAPPENED AT CAMBRIDGE. CONSUMPTION PATIENTS BEAK THE BRUNT. A PROTEST. We have received from the Government Sanatorium at Cambridgo the following letter, which speaks for itself: — Sanatorium, Cambridge, June 2,' IDIO. Dear Sir,—We would like to draw the attention of the public in general to the way in which patients suffering with tuberculosis are at present being cared for by the Government at the Waikato Sanatorium, owing to the so-called retrenchment, which no person with any feeling for the sick and suffering would think would reach an institution of this kind. Surely there are Government concerns enough in the Dominion to retrench without touching a consumptive hospital. At the present time the staff is very inadequate to cope with the number of cases at present being treated, numbering about 40.

This complaint requires a certain amount of knowledge, which we might say is wanting, as the present staff, who have only been here about four months, know very little about this particular disease.

We are forwarding you a copy of the new rules, which we have been pressed to sign, but every patient has resolutely declined to do so. For the very apparent reason that to dispense with a porter's services would be 255. per week saved, the patients are urged to perform such unsanitary indoor duties as sweeping and scrubbing shelters, emptying slops, etc.. -which include the emptying and cleansing of spitting mugs, etc. These are our principal objections. All are > only too willing to perform any outdoor work which may be required, but no right-thinking person can convinco us that indoor work is beneficial to consumptives.

Even the night nurse of i\ colony of 20 patients has been dispensed with, which means that the sister in charge after ten hours' day duty is expected to answer any night calls. I might mention that under tho retrenchment scheino all nurses have to work ten hours per day, and their duties 'are not by any means light.

Tho patients here at present are aware that by not agreeing to the new conditions renders thdm liable-to certain dismissal, but, nevertheless, wo are all prepared to leave rather than "cure" ourselves under the new "hygienic treatment." We would caution any intending applicant for the "cure" to very carefully consider the new rules. Our purpose is served if it only shows tho public how tho New Zealand Government is fighting the dread disease of consumption.—l am, etc.,

ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATES. Tho complaints made by this correspent are endorsed by Others. It is further stated that medicine is dispensed at times by an uncertificated person, and the pertinent question is put: "Would this be permitted in a privato institution?" THE NEW RULES. Following are extracts from the copy of the rules forwarded by our correspondent:— All patients must provide themselves with the following articles of clothing, which must be clearly marked with the patient's name:— Women.—Thick boots, two pairs; thick gloves; warm dress; warm underclothing; warm stockings, four pairs; wool night-wear; warm shawl and jacket; bedroom-slippers; pair house-shoes; woollen dressing-gown, washable. Men.—Thick boots, two pairs; thick gloves; warm greatcoat; flannel shirts; warm night-wear; woollen underclothing; thick suit of clothes; two pairs wann *ocks; bedroom-slip-pers; pair house-shoes; cardigan jacket or sweater; 'woollen dressinggown, washable. ' Tho charge for maintenance in the institution shall bo from ono and a half to two guineas per week. Patients recommended by hospital boards shall bo admitted at £1 per week, subject to such board undertaking to pay such weekly sum towards tho patient's maintenance. Patients shall pay four weeks' fees in advance. At the end of tho first . four weeks accounts will be rendered at the end of each week. -All ac-. counts must bo settled promptly. Patients must understand that if admitted they must do such work as decided upon by tho medical superintendent, graduated exercise and work under medical supervision being recognised as one of tho chief features of ,the open-air treatment of consumption.

All patients, unless otherwise decided by tho medical superintendent, must— (a.) Keep their shelters clean and tidy; remove all slops therefrom; clean all utensils used; polish all metal and brass work, and clean windows. (b.) Assist in the conveyance of food, and tho preparation of the tables for meals. (c.) "Wash up," and return to their proper places, all crockery and cutlery used at tho preceding meal, each patient being specially responsible for the 'cleansing of the articles ho has used. (d.) Take their sputum-flasks to the Jostructor, empty their contours, carefully clean tho flasks, and leave thorn to be boiled, and take clean ones back to their shelters. In tho interests of the institution and tho patients themselves, neglect of these precautions will be summarily dealt with. (c.) Perform any other household duties that may bo required. Unless otherwise, decided by tho medical superintendent, patients will bo expected to do light work about tho grounds, such as— (a.) Garden-work—digging, weeding, hoeing, sweeping, etc., vegetable and flower culture. (b.) Woodcutting, light carpentering, repairing, and painting. (c.) Earthwork, gravelling the roads and side-walks. (d.) Tree-planting, pruning. (c.) The care of poultry and bees, or any small industry 'that may bo considered appropriate to the powers of tho patients, and within the scopo of tho institution. (f.) Any work about tho institution that may bo considered necessary. Daily Routine to- be Observed. Summer. • a.m. 6.30.-Called. Hot milk. Baths. 7.3l).—Breakfast. Washing-up and cleaning dining-room. 5.30 to 9.30.—A1l patients to clean shelters, empty sputum-mugs, etc. 9.30 to 11.30—Work or exercise may bo prescribed. Hot milk or beef-tea. 11.30 to 12.30.-Rest. p.m. 12.30 to 2.—Dinner. Washing-up, etc. 2 to 4.— Work or exercise, as may bo prescribed. ■I.—Milk or beef-tea. 4 to 5. —Rest-hour. ■I to 6.—Tea and washing-up. G to B.—Recreation. 8 to B.3o.—Supper and washing-up. ' 9.—Lights out. Tho Minister in charge of the Public Health Department is expected; back in AVellington to-day, and it will 'be interesting to hear what he lias to say in justiiicatiou of this latest phase of the Government's attitude . towards retrenchment. ,