KELVIN HOSPITAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1924, Page 4

KELVIN HOSPITAL.

INFECTION A MYSTERY. .MATRON’S EVIDENCE. AUCKLAND, March 5. At the enquiry concerning the Kelvin Home, Dr Gilmour, bacteriologist, gave technical evidence. He said he found a good deal of septococci connected with influenza at the lime deaths oecured at Kelvin. From bacteriological facts be had gained it was quite reasonable to assume that some were self-inflicted as the result of influenza. -Air Johnstone said he had been told this morning by Dr Hughes that the number of deaths from this complaint elsewhere than at Kelvin was normal. whereas at Kelvin there was a very serious increase.

Professor fiercus gave evidence to the cl feet that a previous sufferer from influenza would have lowered resistance and bo more susceptible to secondary invaders.

Dr Tracey Inglis, who was called in as consultant in two cases, gave evidence that ho regarded them as septic. He was in the habit of notifying suspected cases in his own practice. There was a higher mortality rate during the influenza epidemic as also in certain others. The increase was nut due to disease in the puerperal region. A question arose whether Nurse Gibbons had said concerning one of the eases for which Dr Inglis was called in, “Remember I have the house full of patients.” the inference suggested being that if the ease was notilicd as septic it would do her harm, Dr Inglis: 1 don’t remember Nurse Gibbons saying anything of the kind. 1 don’t think for a moment she would try to influence me if I thought a case should b<- notilicd. I have known her a very long time and can’t think she would do Unit. .Alins Gibbons, licensee of Kelvin Maternity Hospital, said she had about 2.A years’ nursing experience and had been for 10] years licensee of Kelvin. For 10 years there acre no cases of puerperal fever. Those the subject of the present commission were the first she. had had. She and another nurse were qualified; the others were not, but were all good. Witness detailed the thorough manner in which the hospital was fitted up and the great care taken in regard to avoiding infection of any kind. AVitncss handed in a written statement giving the clinical history of each case before the commission. After Mrs Jones was sent to Auckland Hospital, the room was vigorously fumigated and everything disinfected. AA’itness then thought it a case of influenza and was much surprised to hear that it was a septic ease. AA'itness took special precautions with post-influenza eases. iShe had a dread of them ; in fact, she was terrified of them.

Asked about the possibility of infection being picked up in tbo bathroom that had a sink in which the bedpans were washed, witness gave it as her opinion it was impossible, and tiescribed tile precautions taken. After Airs Dolamore’s case, witness stopped admission to Kelvin before even the Health Department took any steps. There was no question whatever of self-interest. She did all she could in the interests of the patients. She could not .suggest how the infection could have arisen. She was certain none of the staff could have conveyed it. Regarding the allegation concerning the diet given to Mrs Delamore on the day of her confinement; witness said : t certainly was not customary to give tinned salmon at such a time. The first thing was generally hot milk and then broth. .Some women wanted gravy and things, and could have ii if the liked. Li fact, Millie of the big iounlry women were only too anxious to get something of the kind.

Air Finlay ([or-Nurse Gibbons): As a matter of fact, f believe mice you were ordered to give beefsteak l —A doctor once ordered me to give a ebon the same day. Answering further question.-:, u aness said she could not say absolutely what Airs Delamore had the iirst day, but she could be sure it would hardly ho tinned samon, such nob being the practice at the hospital. Air Finlay: Aon could lay a thousand to one against f The Chairman: Does she name the odds f Air Finlay went on to suggest that Airs Rhodes (mother of Airs Delamore) who had spoken of the tinned salmon diet, had got mixed up in her dales. Probably tinned salmon was given at some later date. The Chairman: She was positive about it. Air Finlay: She had got. mixed in the arrangement of her details, as was shown under the cross-examination. Witness said tbo tea referred to bad boon given by a probationer, but it was now impossible to trace the matter. Anyhow, it was quite, against the practice of the hospital. The hearing of evidence was concluded. and the Commission adjourned.