DUNEDIN’S QUADRUPLETS

Evening Star, Issue 22454, 26 September 1936, Page 15

DUNEDIN’S QUADRUPLETS

SUCCESSFULLY STARTED IN LIFE PART PLAYED BY TRUBY KING-HARRIS HOSPITAL An interesting survey of the early days of the Dunedin quadruplets, and the work done by the Truhy King Harris Hospital, is provided in the annual report of the Dunedin branch of the Royal New Zealnd Society for the Health of Women and Children. From the day following their birth until they reached the age of 10J months, these famous children were inmates of the hospital, and the special care and provision made for them is related in the following report. The Canadian quintuplets have been described as V The world’s most famous babies,” and since their arrival in May, 1934! people have been kept well advised of their progress. As film “ stars ” they have demonstrated to us their attractive little ways, and as camera studies they have appeared in many magazines and pewspapers to keep us up to date regarding tneir appearance and development, and to prove to us their popularity with the cameraman. Before the wonder of the birth of the quintuplets had abated, New, Zealand atteratped to vie with her sister Dominion for a place in the history of multiple births, and in March, 1934, it was announced to the world that quadruplets had arrived in our midst. Statistics say that there have been quadruplets before, but they have been rare; in fact, it appears that a quadruple birth occurs only about once in every 757.000. The chance that four infants will be born alive is very remote and the probability that all four will survive and grow into strong, healthy children more remote still. However, shortly , after the birth'. of the quadruplets, it was stated by Dr J. B. Dawson (professor of midwifery and gynaecology at the Otago Medical School), that they had every chance of surviving as , they were well-formed and normal in every respect. The babies were born prematurely at the Dunedin Hospital, where the mother had been under supervision for some time previously. Without doubt the detailed preparation made for their arrival, and the expert care they received immediately after birth, added greatly to tneir cnanco of survival. ... . . On the second day of their existence, their condition being very satisfactory, they were transferred to the Truhy King-Harris Hospital. , Here, as in other baby hospitals of its kind, special facilities are available for the care of premature babies. The'admission of premature twins to this institution has been a frequent occurrence, and triplets have, on several occasions, been admitted and safely started on life’s journey. In July, as there was an over-full list of babies at the hospital, including four setp of premature twins, and the nurses were very busy, the matron asked for the services of an extra nurse on their behalf for the space of two months. Through its “ Legion of Mary ” the church into which the babies had been baptised, generously supplied the funds to meet this exigency, and an experienced Kantane nurse was engaged for this period, and set apart solely for attendance on the quadruplets. In September, when the quartet were six months of age, it was thought wiser that a separate part of the hospital buildings should be given up entirely to them. To allow this a certain amount Of alteration had to be done, including the glassmg-m of one end of a verandah to form a sleeping porch. This the committee was pleased to finance, also, the provision of an extra nurse to give special attention to these precious babies during the rest of their time in hospital. The nurses soon became most interested in their four small charges, who made satisfactory progress from the beginning. Public interest was also very much centred in the quadruplets, and regular progress bulletins issued by the matron from time to time were eagerly waited for. The babies soon became familiar to everyone by name— Bruce, Kathleen, Mary, and Vera—hut during the early weeks only the favoured few —namely, the immediate relatives —were permitted to visit the babies, thus minimising the risk of conveying infection from outside. ■When the quadruplets were some weeks old they were transferred from the premature ward to the general wards of the hospital, where, in a short time, they enjoyed the usual routine followed by all normal babies. Later the demand on the bed space in the hospital became so great that the committee decided to provide special quarters for the quadruplets. This involved some alterations in the mothercraft section, known as “ Australia House,” in order to set aside for their exclusive use a suitable nursery arid a large, airy sleeping balcony. A capable Karitane nurse was secured to take charge of the babies, though, needless to say, one pair of hands could not cope with the needs of four healthy, rapidly-growing youngsters. On visiting days crowds of interested and solicitous friends were permitted to see for themselves the four babies ot whom they had read and heard so much, and special privileges were extended to the parents. Bruce, the eldest of the group, led the way in growth and development. He started life with a weight advantage, and was the first to greet his nurses with a smile. His placid, even temperament soon endeared him to his many friends. Two of the girls, alike as “peas in a pod,” -were liable to confuse even the parents in identifying them, hut a glance at the silver bracelets on their arms, on which were printed the names Mary and Kathleen always settled any argument as to their real identity. Vera’s appearance was quite distinctive, she being much fairer than her sisters,. She was inclined to take life seriously and was conservative with her smiles, though her admirers were well rewarded when one was forthcoming. . The quadruplets remained at the Truby King-Harris Hospital until the age of 10i months, and, although the committee was willing and anxious to keen the babies under its care at the home, it recognised the parents prior right and respected their desire to care for their babies themselves. When leaving the hospital’s care the babies were well established on the right lines —this being evidenced by their steady progress, their good and regular habits of feeding, sleeping, playing, and their contented dispositions. Each, with its good colour, bright eyes,'glossy hair, firm limbs, and abounding vigour, presented a picture of what a healthy, normal baby should be.