PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FEVER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 222, 26 September 1901, Page 2

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FEVER.

AX' ISOLATION WARD.

CONFLICT AMONGST LOCAL BODIES.

Tii;-: question of the erection of an isolation ward to cope with cases of scarlatina and other contagious diseases was again brought before the Hospital Trustees last evening, when the following letter was received from the Borough Council :

Gentlemen, —I am instructed to again write you in reference to erection of an isolation ward in connection with your hospital. Although the Council, or any other local authority, have power to erect an emergency hospital, or contract for the uso of the existing hospital, as provided for in section. No. 37 to 41 of “ The ruble. Health Act, 1900," the Council are of opinion that it would be more in the interests of the public generally if the said ward was erected by the present Hospital Trustees, and in that case all the district would benefit and pay equally, and it would not become a borough monopoly. The suburbs of Kaiti and Whataupoko are now growing into importance, and are just as much in need of an isolation ward as the borough of Gisborne, i’ull power is given under Sections 30 and 31 of The Hospital and Charitable Aid Act, 1383, for the district Board to undertake such a work and levy accordingly, or it may be carried out by your Board aud a levy made in accordance with Section Xo. 01 of " The Hospital and Charitable Aid Act, 1880." Therefore, 1 trust that your Board will again consider this important question.” The Chairman said that the Board had no power to requisition for funds for such

purpose. Mr K. Johnston spoke at some length on the question, advocating that the request be complied with. Tie claimed that the Trustees had power to levy on the Charitable Aid Board, and they (the Trustee) should be prepared to accept all responsibility in the matter. The Hospital Board should deal with all eases of sickness ; they should bravely face tho position, and provide for all possible cases. They were the only body in a position to provide for such eases, and they should not shirk their duty. There was no difilcuity in regard to finance, and the Board could easily get a building. Further than that, they had the medical and nursing stall', and were in every way prepared to deal with any case that might arise. The Borough Council had rightly thrown the whole responsibility on the Trustees, and they should do what they could in the matter.

Mr Warren asked the Chairman’s ruling as to whether members were in order in discussing the matter. It had been decided at a special meeting of the Trustees not to permit the erection of an isolated ward upon the Hospital grounds, and they required to have a full meeting before the question could be considered.

Mr Joyce said that there was only one member absent, and the Trustees should deal with the question. At any rate members should be allowed to express their views before the Chairman decided as to the point of order raised by Mr Warren. The letter from the Council raised an entirely different question from that which had been before them at tho last meeting. Mr Kennedy did not consider the Hospital Board were supposed to take charge of such eases. If a steamer came into the bay, and a passenger was received into the Hospital suffering from small-pox. would the authorities keep him there ? He contended that they would not do so, but would send him to the other end of tho bay. They should have nothing to do with such cases. An isolation ward was a sort of quarantine, and cases that had to go into quarantine should not bo received at the Hospital.

Mr Johnston : When extreme eases such as you refer to arise they should be met by the Board. It is our duty to face all such eases. We are tho only properly constituted body to deal with such cases at tho present time.

Mr Tuoliy : Ido not want to take up any time, and only wish to state that if we take in such cases wo shall drive all other eases away. Mr Kennedy : No one for a moment wishes to shirk responsibility in the matter. We recognise the necessity for having provision made for such cases, and will be willing to co-operate with the other bodies.

Mr Joyce urged that, as this was a different request from that of last meeting, the Board should deal with it. There was, he said, no need to rescind tho former resolution. Mr Warren: I ask the Chairman to rule on tho point I have raised. Mr Joyce : 1 claim the right to speak.

Mr Warren : Not at all. Mr Joyce : I contend that each member should give expression to his opinion, and then tho Chairman should give his ruling. Mr Warren: You have no right to speak. You are not in order. Mi- Joyce : lam speaking of the letter being in order.

The Chairman said that under the Health Act the Borough Council had full power to erect a building for the purposes of an isolation ward, and also find medical and nursing staff. Tho Act was passed last year for the special purpose of meeting such cases.

Mr Johnston: But we have the whole paraphernalia, and can arrange these things so much cheaper, The Chairman : Until wo get a full mooting, I shall rule that wo cannot discuss this matter, on the grounds that it lias already boon dealt with.

On the motion of Mr Warren, it was decided to call a special meeting for Wednesday evening next, to consider the question. Mr Johnston : In the meantime we shall have to look up authorities. Mr Tuohy : We cannot have a better authority than tho gentleman in the chair. Mr Joyce: Lawyers as well as doctors often disagree.