GENERAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 52, 26 November 1918, Page 6

GENERAL ITEMS

PAYMENT FOR SERVICE; Dr. Kington Fyft'e, president of the' British Medical Association, suggested to tho Minister of Public Health yesterday that one of the reasons why women were not coming forward more freely to help at the influenza hospitals was that the question of remuneration had lftt been made clear. The Minister has replied that recently, wheh the- Health Department advertised for women all over NewZealand, it was announced Hint 10s. a day would be paid to all persons employed at hospitals with the approval of the' health ollicer for the district. VALUE OF ORGANISATION. "A striking feature of the reports that are coming to hand," said the Minister of Public .Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) last night, "is the success of effective organisation in dealing with the epidemic. To-day I received a report from the town clerk of Cambridge Betting out a fine record of organisation. The result of tho preparations made is that up to November 22 only 37 cases had been treated in tho hospital, tho majority being from

the outlying districts, and 'only two deaths had occurred. , ' THE BOY SCQUTS. "Among the workers who have done yeoman servico m fighting the epidemic are the Buy Scouts," said the Hon. G. W. Hussell yesterday. "These line ladi have done a vast amount of work in carrying messages and food, visiting houses and generally assisting the health authorities aud the volunteer organisations, and 1 feel that the Government is under a deep debt of gratitude to the Scouts." •GOOD WOKK APPRECIATED. The Key. S. Itolwrtson On', captain of the Wellington North health district, has forwarded to Mr. A. J. Tulbot (superintendent of telegraphs and telephones in Wellington), on behalf of Ims committee, a letter of very grateful thanks for. the services of the telephone staff so ungrudgingly given during the crisis last week, noting that in the face of grave difficulties su:h services were so capably and expeditiously given. All district committees agree that the telephone service has, in the circumstances, been very efficient, and much of the good wort lhat has been done was due to the assistance given by the depleted i nnd'sadly-overworked Exchange staff.

Workers in the WellinglVm Central district are requested to., return clinical thermometers and electric torches. Gifts of invalid food will be gratefully received.' Clean bottles, corks, and jars are urgently needed for delivering beef tea. etc., to sick- persons. The matron of the Miramar Convalescent Home acknowledges with thanks the receipt .of - the following donations:— Y.M.C.A., billiard table, piano, and stationery; Eed Cross Society (per Mrs. Myers), medical comforts; Messrs. Gordon and Gotch Propy., Ltd., Mr. Mabin (Seatoun), and Mr. James MacMenamen (Island Bay), books and magazines; Mrs. Mee (Miramar), Mrs. M'Vicar (Miramar), Mrs. Hanan (Miramar), Mrs. Duff (Miramur), and Miss K. Wheeler (Wellington Terrace), flowers and fruit. The home was originally equipped as a home for convalescent soldiers, but since the outbreak of the epidemic has been used as an influenza hospital for members of the military, forces, tip to the present about 80 cases have been admitted. Speaking to a reporter at Christchurch Colonel Wylie said he wished to stress tho fact that people have not yet begun to realise the vital necessity of fresh air. "From reports furnished by St. - John Ambulance workers and jothers, there seems no doubt that the generality of the people do not appreciate the' fact, that fresh air aud plenty of it is an absolute necessity for those suffering from influenza. ' Everywhere the ' same story comes..of closed windows and drawn blinds, and it ie extraordinary that you cannot get people to understand the simple fact that a vitiated atmosphere is not only detrimental to tiie patient, but it also exposes others to infection." Colonel Wyiie said that if he had his' way the, {jpdom that "fresh air is not a dangerous drug, to be taken in small quantities at infrequent intervals," -would be found in larse type in every newspaper. Colonel Wylie , said, in conclusion, that unless more care was shown in personal hygiene, and a more reasonable attitude was adopted by the people in regard to fresh air,, the.danger of another epidemic occurring was always present. Since the opening of the temporary hospital, says our Greytown correspondent, 18 cases, have been received and two discharged. The 16 remaining are doing well. Our Featherston correspondent states that the strength of ■ the epidemic is waning, arid, the outdoor relief workers are finding their organisation sufficiently strong to meet eerious demands. Helpers to "spell-off" those who have borne the brunt of this work and nursing at the hospital are, however, required. The Anzac Hospital is now accommodating 33 patients. ~ A shipment of oranges came to hand yesterday from Auckland, and a quantity was secured for the Town Hall and district centres.

Gifts of clean articles of clothing for children of various ages and for ndults will bo gratefully received at the Karori Epidemic Centre,' Borough Council Chambers, the telenhones of which are: Day, 2201; night, 3701. A conference of .doctors is to be held at the Teachers' Training College at 10 a.m. to-day to discuss the setting up of a children's creche, observation home, and hospital in the infants' department of the college at Kelburn.