A CHEERY SANCTUARY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1454, 31 May 1912, Page 3

A CHEERY SANCTUARY.

PATIENTS AT THE CHILDREN'S. HOSPITAL. There are now some 30 sick children being treated and nursed within the walls of the new Children's Hospital. It is quite a while since the hospital was officially opened, but there lias, been considerable delay in procuring' tho necessary equipment. Most of it has come to hand, but it is not yet all erected in position, and indoors, the hospital does not wear tho ordered look usually observed in such institutions. All that will come in the course of a day or two. "Some people were alarmed about tho hospital being far too largo for requirements; I believe I could fill it now," said the medical superintendent (Dr. Smith) to a Dominion reporter yesterday. He added that although the wards were not yet full, thero were many less urgent cases waiting to be received as soon as things were in order. But for the fact that all the, children were in bed there was very little to suggest that the place was a. place of pain and sufi'ering. Most of them were perfectly happy, and somo of them were, sitting up playing with simple toys. One little fellow who had only recently been admitted, told the doctor that, he felt much bettor already. There won! of course others much too ill to bo cheerful, but most of tho little pcoplo were quite happy in their temporary home. The i'nten'or is indeed a cheery looking place—ample light and air,' and a comfortable temperature. The Doulton panels on the walls symbolising or illustrating well-known nurserv tales luive altogether captivated the children. As examples of their own type of art the panels are exquisite, and they at once attract the attention of little patients. One sick boy appeared to le very proud to l.a able to tell the doctor shyly what lie knew shout Little Miss Muti'ef. IV.r tlie present only two wards, a surgical and a medical ward, are in use. I.'.iti-r, children will lie separated into difi'ereiit parls of 111" building aceiiiiling til their ages, anil the nature of their :11 n i-s.