INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2050, 10 April 1907, Page 2

INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

PROPOSED ISOLATION WARD At the mooting of tho Cook Charitable Aid Board last night tho proposed infectious diseases ward at the Hospital was discussed. Dr. Mason wrote stating that ho had received the plans of the proposed infectious diseases ward aud wired that ho approved them. Ho suggested that instead of patients being required to go into the open, air to get to the bath-room, the bath-room should be so situated that it could bo entered under cover. Tho Chairman said that tenders for the building should be in by next meeting. In reply to Dr. De Lisle he said the plans had been prepared locally. v Dr. DeLisle said lie mado the enquiry because of statements made in an article in the “Times.” The article was most temperate and sensible in tone.

Mr. Webb said the building should be of brick and plaster. It could be washed down then, instead of burning it down. Dr. DeLisle said alternative tenders might be called; but it might come about that they would desiie, because of the spread of population, to take the hospital away from its present site. At the present rate the town would soon reach out there. Mr. Colley said that no building lithe town made of lath and plaster had proved a success. The cause might be climatic. The Building Inspector said he had met a contractor who was erecting a building the same as the Gisborne one in brick and plaster at a price of £I4OO. The Gisborne ward would cost £SOO in wood.^ It was decided that tenders be called for next meeting.

Cr. Webb : It should have been n six months ago.

Dr. DeLisle: Years ago. Dr. DeLisle stated that he bad visited some of the houses in which infectious diseases had broken out. Two cases of scarlet fever had broken out and tho people had moved about from one house to another. It would be well if people knew that for such offonces there was a penalty of £lO provided. A woman had got work at a hotel and had brought a child suffering from scarlet fever. They may have come in some public conveyance, and the danger therefrom could easily he imagined. Dr. DeLislo was thanked by the Board for his interesting remarks.