THAMES HOSPITAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4952, 17 March 1926, Page 4

THAMES HOSPITAL.

MONTHLY MEETING. PROGRESS DURING FEBRUARY. The’following reports were submitted at. Friday’s meeting of the Thames Hospital and Charitable, Aid Board: — ' SURGEON’S REPORT. Tlie resident surgeon (Dr . James Ritchie) reported that 41 males and 40 females had been admitted during February. Discharges totalled 33 males and 33 females, while 34 males and 28 females were remaining in the institution at date. Thenum ber of outpatients treated totalled eight,, involvipg 24 attendances. Operations were performed on 27 males and 20 females. There had been .two deaths. A recommendation was made that a masseuse s,hould be appointed, the duties to comprise electric treatment, the Plesher work, and ex-ray developing work. Mr W. J. Hall held that the board could not afford ,to pay a masseuse at the present time.

The secretary said that there was net enough work to keep a specialist busy all the timeu

The appointment was held over and a report adopted. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The engineer (Mr A. M. Somerville). reported that a trial had been made with small coal for steam' purposes. The quality of coal had peeii found very satisfactory, but was unsuitable for range and grate, use. The amount of coal consumed during February was 25 tons 9 cwt. Mr Death asked if the doetoi' and engineer received free fuel* the s|ecretary stating that they did not. Mr Death contended that the sales of coal should be shown in the report each month. There was/ opportunity that the system might be abueed

The secretary replied thkt all orders and ‘fees were recorded in the office DISTRICT HOMES.

The superintendent, Mr Gilmour, reported that there were 15 men .and two women inma,tes< at date, and the conduct was very good. The concluding paragraph of the report rea,d: “The cockroach powder supplied by the board was absolutely useless lor the purpose of destroying the insects. They are getting ais bad as, ever. There are several powders which have been proved to be good and will scon rid the kitchen of .them if used liberally. The position now is that the cockroaches are frequently getting into the food. Most dB the old “ sports ”' are Bond of meat but have yet 1 to acquire the taste for the nimble pilgrims of the night.” The chairman intimated that the cockroaches were certainly very ,bad, and it was hoped’that the new make of disinfectant which “was being tried out would prove effective.. The homes in general were satisfactory, with the exception that, the milk.’ had fallen off considerably../. Mr Lange said he t’noUght it was time the board shut the farm portion up.

The chairman'said that the; speaker, did not know what he was talking about. < Mr Death considered that the'Barm was a, losing proposition- He thought that the cows should-be .sold and the board should concentrate on fruit .and poultry;

The chairman said ' that ■he would welcome Messrs. Lange, and Death investigating the farming operations, which,i. he felt sure, would agreeably surprise them.' In his 'opinion the cows during the season/were worth 30s a week each 'to the board.

Mr Kennedy ,-s.aid it wais ihardly feasible to expect to make money out of about five acres. .

Mr Hall said that without .the farm the board wo-uld have ,to purchase 15 gallons of milk Vat ls.<Bd a gallon tor the hospital alone. 'There was also the supply of eggts, cream, and bacon. The secretary said his figures for the past’ twelve -months' had shown, a profit over the whole farm. NURSES’ REPORTS.

Tbe Native nurse (Miss J. M. Jari ett) reporter l ! that she ha.d attended 42 patients <? airing the month. Fees collected amounted to £1 17s 6d. .Lectures had br »en given on constipation, cause and c ure; tuberculosis, and the value of. fn ash air. Sixteen pahs had been .visit ,ed, involving 168 attendances. Tl. j e health of the district was’ very goo< J.

The t district nurse at Pa,tetonga (MiS6 T McNamara) , reported that she ha 4 attended nine patients during Febru Teh fees; collected.am&llnted to , £1 4s. •