"FARM COLONIES."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1775, 13 June 1913, Page 9

"FARM COLONIES."

TREATING CONSUMPTIVE CASES. The Otaki sub-oommitteo of the Wellington, District Hospital paid a visit of inspeotion to the Otaki Sanatorium and Hospital on Saturday last, and a general report on the visit was presented at yesterday's meeting of the Hospital Com-' mittee. The report stated that the committee obtained information from several patients who aro anxious to find somo employment in the form of light work, etc., in and about the sanatorium. Tho applicants stated as a reason for their quest that, although not well enough to constantly follow their usual-ocoap&tion, th#r, had their good days when they'felt fit to work longer hours, and so do something for themselves, which would mean earning a littlo towards their rapport. The report proceeded to give particulars of tho siirfestions given by several of the patients. Two applicants wero desirous of preparing about two acres of land and planting it with potatots, They stated that they weT« willing to purchaso the seed and pay rent for the use .of the land, provided they could tako the whole of tne proceeds. ' "After consulting the doctor and matron," states tho report, "and taking the whole question of the board's duty in tho matter into consideration, we cannot reoommend the board to accept tho suggestion of these two men, although we recognise tho sincerity of the application for the benefit of improving their, health. To adopt tho proposed prooediiro, so far as the board is concerned, would bo unsatisfactory, or starting what may be termed a farm colony, and would bo on undesirablo plan, because it might be taking this important work out of the hands of tho Government, who, in cur opinion, is the proper authority io attend to this part of the sanatorium treatment." '• ~, After dealing with another case, the report stated: "Wo regret that time would not allow further investigation of other oases. We would have like dto have made farther inquiries as to tho portion of tho women, regarding their desire to obtain . light employment, but from the knowledge obtained, we feel that some active measures should be taken to impress upon the Government tho urgent need of establishing farm colonies, so that patients could be classified, and some opportunity given them to carry out their desire to make themselves a little mora independent. "Tho other question is, as to hpw long patients should remain in the sanatqrium. It is generally' understood that the Otaki Sanatorium was built fer the purpose of teaching persons who have contracted the disease, and early caees, the way to treat themselves. It is not for cases that have proved chronic. Some other mode of treatment, of this class of patients should receive the consideration of the board, as the present system is costly and practically ineffective, and is also the means of keeping early cases that now need treatment for a short period, away from tho institution on account of their not being sufficient, accommodation." The roport was adopted without discussion.