SANITARY MATTERS

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 31, 6 February 1901, Page 2

SANITARY MATTERS

DISCUSSION IN THE COUNCIL,

At the mooting of the Borough Council last night a discussion took place on the subject of a ward for infectious diseases. The matter was alluded to in tho Inspector s report, who referred to a case of scarlet fever that had been reported . Cr Hepburn said lie thought that a place had been specially built at the Hospital for such eases. Cr Johnston : It was not found suitable and is used for accommodation for the nurses.

The Mayor said that a fever ward had been built some years ago, and then shifted alongside the main Hospital. Cr Nolan: It was a fever ward, for typhoid.

Cr Hepburn : There arc plenty of trustrecs here; they should be asked for an explanation. Cr Nolan : It was never meant for contagious cases of this sort.

Cr Hepburn: Why, it was built for that!

Cr Nolan : No, for typhoid. Cr Hepburn: What was the use of it if it was not for contagious diseases ? Cr Nolan : It was for typhoid, which at that time was thought to be contagious. Cr Hepburn : It was meant for cases of this sort.

Cr J ones : I always understood that it was for contagious diseases. Cr Skcct: Wliat is the good of tho Hospital unless such eases as this can get properly treated ?

Cr Nolan : There arc only four hospitals in the colony that treat contagious cases. Cr Skcet: Well, let this bo the fifth. Cr Nolan : Then build a ward for it. Cr Skcet: We did, and it was shifted. Cr Hepburn : I move that it bo shifted back again. (Laughter.) Cr J ones : I hope there will be no need to make provision for any more such cases, but it is a matter wo should not treat lightly. The Mayor: We might leave it to the Trustees to make tho best arrangements tliey~can. Cr J ones : Wo should go a littlo further than that.

Cr J oyco: lam inclined to think that this was an imported case. Cr Jones: Imported or not, wo have it here.

Cr Harding : The child had boon here six or eight weeks.

Cr Johnston said it might be possible for tho Trustees to make some provision. Cr Hepburn : Yes ; they build a ward, and then shift it down to tho main building. Cr Nolan : My rcmombrancc is that Cr Hepburn proposed tho motion to shift tho building! (Laughter). Cr Hepburn : No 1 I think it was Cr Nolan. (Laughter). The Mayor: Wo won’t discuss that. Cr Kennedy: Cr Skcet removod it. (Laughter). Cr J ones : But he was paid for it.. Cr Skcet: I will put it back again. (Laughter). I will shift still more if you like. (Laughter). Cr Jones: I think the Sanitary Lispcctor should give close attention to the case to prevent any likelihood of its spreading. In such cases it might bo necessary to obtain a cottage in some isolated place. The Mayor said it would be necessary to see that there was not more communication with the house now under notice than was absolutely necessary. Cr Lewis said that some peoplo were so frightened of this case that they would not lot their children pass the house to go to school.

Cr Harding said that people went to and left the house.

Cr Skeet: That is the worst part of it; such a case should bo isolated.

Tho Inspector said he had offered to take anything to the house, but the inmates wont backwards and forwards.

Cr Jones: By the Health Act, it is almost compulsory to have such a case isolated.

In reply to the Mayor, the Inspector said that all precautions were being taken in the way of disinfectants. Tho Mayor: There are four or five Hospital Trustees here, and we will leave it to them as a recommendation. Cr Skcct: Wo must do all wc can to prevont it from spreading. The matter then dropped.