Page 2 Advertisements Column 7

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1445, 21 May 1912, Page 2

DELIRIUM TREMENS. ♦ SPECIAL TREATMENT ADVOCATED. ISOLATED WARDS. rKESKXT COXDITTOXS AT THE HOSPITAL.

Al yesterday's meeting of the Hospital "»(! Charitable Aid Hoard, Mr. Jt. C. Kirk reported on behalf of a sub-commit-tee set up to consider Hie treatment of delirium tremens cases at the hosyital. The effect of ilio report was that the committed favoured tile provision of special accommodation being provided for such cases. He called on Dr. llnrdwiek Smith (medical superintendent; and Dr.' Valintmo (Inspector-General of Hospitals) to explain the urgency for such treatment. Dr. Hardwick Smith explained that up to (lie present delirium tremens eases had been treated in smull wauls off the iargo wards at the. hospital. If the delirium tremens patients were quiet this arrangement did not interfere with the other patients, but if they were noisy the effect wns'bnd. it did nut do any good to women and children patients to hear the shrieks and language of these patients. .Some of them become very violent. Not so long ago a case tank a mental turn, and before aid could be summoned Hut patient had nearly strangled two of the nurses.' When he reached the ward the ihichis were black in the face. In another caw a patient was found to be trying to brain the sister in attendance. These cases really required trained, mental attendants and accommodation far removed from the ordinary wards. In the cases of acute delirium tremens it might be a month or six months before (he patient regained Hie normal. The treatment such patients needed could not be given iindor present conditions. •"Are there any 'u.'V.' patients at present?" asked Mr. D. Robertson. "Only one at present," answered Dr. Smith, "but, like the poor, they are always with us." Dr. Valintino said he was very glad to have an opportunity to confer 'with the board on th» important issue—what to do with Hie delirium tremens cases. He admitted (he arguments of Dr. Smith that such eases should not be treated in the vicinity of the ordinary wards. If cases were.being treated in Hip wards, {he board was responsible for it. As far back as 1901 a circular was issued stating that if the boards would provide accaminodntion for delirium tremens cases the Government would provide the cost of (he same. And again in 1!!07 a similar offer was made. In a good innnv instances boards bad taken advantage of the offer, and had provided special accommodation removed from (lie immediate v/eiiiily of

tho hospital. It therefore remained* for the board to take up the suggestion of tlio Government, and put. up suitable wards for such cases. It may be that some would fiiinlt that mental' hospitals should take these cases, but ho would point out that skilled medical attention and skilled nursing was required. The Government even went further, and offered special grants to pay suitable attendants for these cases. It was not altogether right for nurses to look nftcr these undesirable cases.

Dr. Valintine also brought forward the suggestion that there should be provided a sort of half-way house for mental eases. A place where people can be jont for treatment and where they might recover, where they will be free from the stigma, of being sent to a mental hospital. Many such eases can be effectively treated, and be would like to see mental wards attached to all hosnitals. He hoped the board would consider the. proposal, and provide a special ward for the reception of such cases.

Mr. Van Staveren •thanked Dr. Valintina for his remarks, and approved tho suggestion thai, a special ward should bo provided for delirium tremens cast's.

Mr. ]■'. T. Moore, whilst approving the suggestions made by Br. Valintine, thought that men, and men only, should do the horrible work entailed by such cases.

Mr. D. M'Lnrenonbved that the matter be submitted to tho consideration of the .Hospital C'oni!njtteej,.iv!th a,„yjex of its making a reoomm'ondation. ''-"•■■

| Mr. ft. Fletcher pointed out that' it' vas strange that the Government's offer had not been taken advantage of years ago. Tho Acting-chairman (Mr. it. C. Kirk) said he found himself at variance with Dr. Valintine on the matter of the treatment of delirium tremens cases. He. maintained that they were not fit eases for treatment at a hospital. The Government itself admitted it, on what Dr. Valintine had said, in offering to pay for special accommodation and attendance. If it was their regular work to attend to such cases they would be simply asked to do their duty, and would draw the subsidy in the ordinary way. As for the point raised about the stisma attaching to those who go to a mental hospital, was there any difference when' thev wore sent to gaol for eseessivn drinking? He maintained strongly that the treatment of these -'case* was not proper work, for genera! hospitals, and that it was not advantageous to build special rniartnr?' for them, when they could, with Hie aid of a taxi-cab, be taken to a mental hospital in half an hour.

On bein<? mit. the motion to refer the matter to the Hospital Committee for a report was carried. MASTERTON NOTES. * (By Telegraph-Special Correspondent.) Masterton, May 20. About 250 Territorials are tinder canvas on the old Masterton Showgrounds. They are what are. known as casuals, being members of the Defence Force who, for various reasons, could not put in an apixrawiiec at the Takopau camp. A majority of the men com* from the districts north of Masderion. They aro under the command of Major IL F. Skey, The movement to institute an "Industrial Week" in Masterton is being taken up by tradesmen of the town, A public meeting will shortly l>e called by the Chamber of Commerce to discuss' the question. A Native named Ihaka, has been admitted to the Masterton Hospital suffering from a broken leg, sustained while engaged felling bush, Teachers to t.ho number of l>ctwcen forty and fifty assembled in the Technical School on Saturday afternoon, to hear an address by Mr. Reginald I'oss. entitled "The Three I?'s—Yesterday, To-day, and To-morrow." Mr. Koss dealt in an interesting manner with the education in past days, the present system, and future possibilities. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

Tho intimation of the death of Mr. T. 0. Williams was received with regret b.v old settlers of this district. The late Mr. Williams had large property interest's in the Wnirnrapa, as well as in Ekotahnna and Pahiatua.

The opening of the football senson in the Wairarapa was postponed from last Saturday owinjr to the death of a former prominent footballer—Mr. Cadwallfider, of Carterton. Tho Masterroii Collio Club's trials will commence on Wednesday morning. CITY FIRE?. BOARDIXGHOUSE DAMAGED. At 5.50 yesterday morning the City Fire Brigade was called to Walter Street (off Injjestre Street), an outbreak of fire having occurred in a two-story house occupied by Sirs. Elizabeth Phillips as a lmaniinc;iiowp, and owned by Mr. Abraham Levy. Two rooms and their contents and the staircase were badly damaged. The fire, it is supposed, started under (lie 'tairense, but the cause of the outbreak is unknown. The house was insured in 'he Norwich Union ofliee for £'M, and tho contents in the Victoria office for JC'ICO.

He courted hi? girl throe nfßhts a week; Whej he came to ask papa's consent, The old. man sttora at the young man's eheek, There wn a kick and outside lie went But ill an hour or two he returned, With love and ardour his tw:> ehceks burned Ho had, you see, Woods' Peppermint Cure lor Gertie's cold, and lie got her—sure.— Ailvt Thr.vTnricJi the blood, invigorate the system. For anaemia, loss of strength, vigour, etc., results are wonderful. "The Pill for Tired Feoale!" Store ericos, 40 pills 86. 6d„ 120 oa,