MEDICAL OFFICER’S REPORT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2274, 10 May 1921, Page 4

MEDICAL OFFICER’S REPORT

• TO PALMERSTON NORTH HOSPITAL BOARD.

The annual medical report submitted by Dr. 0. A. Forrest, medical superintendent to the Palmerston North* District Hospital Board on Thursday, states that the total number of cases treated in the hospital during the year was 1,311. Of these, 71 died, giving a death rate of 5.6 per cent. The average number of days’ stay in the hospital was 25.7, land the daily ayerage of beds occupied 70.5. There were 524 operations performed, with a death rate of 23 —4.3 per cent. Of these, appendicitis accounted for 101 cases, with two deaths. Many of these cases were desperately ill when they reached hospital after a long journey, and owed their recovery to the prompt treatment of the honorary staff and subsequent careful nursing. There were 113 operations for the removal of tonsils and adenoids, and 23 operations for the cure of hernia. Four of these cases were strangulated, and required immediate operation; one of the four died. 'There were nine operations for cancer, with one death. Of the infectious diseases treated, cases of diphtheria were much the most numerous, although little more than half of the number for the previous year. There were 51 cases, and two subsequently died. Six cases of typhoid fever were admitted, and all recovered. Other cases were: —Scarlet fever, 21 cases, no deaths; consumption, 13 cases; other tubercular diseases, 23. Twen-ty-six eases of cancer were admitted, nine being operated on,-with onedeath. The Martin Memorial Block is now occupied by the radiologist and bacteriologist. Jt added very materially to the comfort of the patients and tlie convenience of the staff to have the X-ray plant under the same roof instead of having to transport the patielft on a stretcher in all sorts of weather to an outbuilding. The bacteriological laboratory had already proved to be very useful, and should stimulate interest in the medical side of the hospital by providing facilities for clearing up the dagnosis in doubtful cases. To take the case of diphtheria, only a bacteriological examination could distinguish it from other throat affections. Before the laboratory . was established throat swabs sent to Wellington, in a great many eases were nbgalived, owing to the time that elapsed in transit. Now most of I lie reports were positive, and were received within twelve hours of admission, instead of three or four days later. This should tend to shorten the stay in-hospital, and

also to make certain that the disease is not being carried away to the patient’s home. During the past year there had been a great deal of over-crowding in both the women’s and men’s wards. Extra beds on the verandahs and down the middle of the wards had caused much inconvenience and overwork to the nursing staff. Many patients also bad bad to be refused admission for lack of accommodation. It was hoped that this would shortly be remedied by the opening of the new wards. The Board bad sustained a great loss in Dr. Whitaker, who had built up a special depart men t for eye, ear, nose and throat cases, and who was most assiduous in looking after his eases. The training and .-'Upcrvision of the uur\mg staff had been carried out by the matron and deputy-matron with their usual thoroughness, resulting in a high standard of efficiency.