THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4840, 12 June 1925, Page 4

THAMES HOSPITAL.

MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Thames Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held at Thames on Monday, the chairman (Mr W. E. Hale) presiding over the following: Messrs J. W. Danby, W. J. Hall, G. Death, C. W. Kennnedy, H. L. Berney, J. W. Lange, J. Rowe, and the secretary (Mr G. Tonge).

LOAN MONEY,

The Public Trust Office, Wellington, wrote advising that the department Was prepared to entertain the board’s application for a loan of £lO,OOO, with interest at 6 per cent, per annum, plus a sinking fund of £3 0s 6d per annum, for a term of twentj’ years. The letter pointed out that in the event of the loan being approved of by the investments board, it would be necessary for the board to obtain Orders-in-Council under section 20 of the Finance Act, 1919, and its amendments. The chairman said that the position was very satisfactory, but he did not think the total £lO,OOO would be required for the isolation block and laundry. AMALGAMATION. The Director-General of Health wrote in regard to the proposed amalgamation of the Thames and Waihi hospital districts, and stated that the matter was receiving consideration. In the meantime the department, desired to know whether the Waihi board desired to confer with the Thames board .prior to the proposed conference.—Referred to the sub-com-mittee. BEDS AT SANATORIA. The Medical Officer of Health, Auckland, advised that there were 49 vacant beds at the Pukeora Sanatorium. PAEROA HOSPITAL. Mr E. E. Gillman, Pacroa, wrote acknowledging instruction ,to call alternative tenders for wood and brick, returnable on August 10, for' the Pacroa maternity and emergency hospital’, and asking for the return of the original plans. The secretary advised that the plans had been returned. RESIGNATION. Sister N. R. Ansell forwarded her resignation and asked to be relieved of her duties as soon as possible. The resignation was accepted with regret, the chairman intimating that Sister Ansell had agreed to remain until her position could be tilled. BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. The Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society, Thames, forwarded accounts totalling £l6 8s and asked for the usual donantion of £lO. —Granted. STEAM LAUNDRY. The Department of Health forwarded, a plan of a steam laundry for perusal and comment. In a covering letter it was stated .that the approximate cost of the building w.as £l6OO, while the installation of a. washer, hydro-extractor, and ironing machine would cost another £1'250. The department was prepared to give the board any assistance possible in the direction of preparing working plans and specifications. The. Hawera Hospital. Board forwarded particulars' of the plant in use at its institution. The Taumarunui Board wrote, advising that it could not furnish the details in connection with its laundry plant, as the provision of the plant had not. been completed. An Auckland firm of engineers and a Wcllingon company wrote quoting for the supply and installation of laundry machinery. The chairman said that the board now had something concrete .to go on in connection with the erection of an up-to-date laundry. The total cost would be about £3OOO, including ma-

chiiiery and the removal of the present building. The estimate for tUb

isolation block was £4ooo', and as a loan of £lO,OOO had been authorised he was of the opinion that the wbrk should be pushed on. Both buildings were urgently required.

Mr Hall agreed, and said that in his opinion the isolation block should have been up years ago.

The chairman said that it had not been possible because the plans and estimates had been too high. Mr Kennedy said he could not understand why such a big difference in estimates should arise. It was not right that work ishould be delayed for years because of the diversity of opinion with regard to estimates. There was too great a difference between the estimates supplied by the private architects and those of the Health Department. The chairman remarked that, the board members were laymen in such matters, and had to be guided by th*e knowledge of architects. The plan fbr the laundry supplied by the department was a very much simpler one than that, supplied previously. He was of the opinion that the department should be asked to carry out the work instead of private enterprise.

Mr Dauby moved that, steps be taken to raise the sum of about £7OOO, and that the erection of an isolation block and laundry he proceeded with. Seconded by Mr Hall.

Mr Danby thought that the whole matter should be referred to a special sub-committee, such committee to have full power to act in conjunction with the medical superintendent. The following committee was set up: Messrs Hale, Danby, Rowe, and Lange.

It was decided that interest and sinking fund would be met as occasion arose.

INFANTILE PARALYSIS CASES; The medical superintendent (Dr. J. Ritchie) submitted a special report as follows :—

“On Friday last the remaining seven cases of infantile paralysis were, transferred to Rotorua. They were made very comfortable in a main trunk second-class 'carriage, and were accompanied by Dr. Smale and Nurse Burke. Mr Brownlee, who has so generously given us of his blood for the preparation of scrum for the treatment of paralysis cases, also accompanied the patients. It was largely owing to the treatment with this serum that our cases have done so well, and public acknowledgment of this fact would be appreciated. USE OF INSULIN. "With reference to the use of insulin for the treatment! of diabetes, 1 may state that at present we have four cases of diabetes, and in these we are using insulin where it is indicated.” The chairman said that the grateful thanks of the board and the parents was due to Mr Brownlee for his courageous sacrifice in freely giving his blood for serum purposes on sb many occasions. Mr Danby agreed, and said that thanks was also due to. the doctors and nursing staff for their skill and patient attention to the paralysed children. A record had been established in the Dominion in that 17 catses had been treated at the institution without, mortality. It wks a record to be proud of, arnd a glowing tribute to the doctors and staff., Other members spoke in praise of the services rendered by the staff. It was resolved that a letter of thanks and appreciation •be forwarded to the medical superintendent congratulating him and his staff on the splendid results attained, in the treatment of the infantile paralysis cases. It was afeo resolved to recognise the sacrifice made by Mr Brownlee. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £1145 8s were passed for payment. COMMITTEES. Thu following committees were set up : Homes, Messrs Hall and' Beincy ; Hospital, Messrs Kennedy and Lange.