WOMEN’S CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 156, 1 June 1940, Page 11

WOMEN’S CLUB.

CARE OF CONVALESCENTS. The monthly meeting of the Manawatu Women’s Club' took place at Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame’s tearooms yesterday afternoon, there being a large attendance. The hostesses were Mesdames S. Bradfield, T. R. Moore and T. Tyrrell. Mrs Moore welcomed Mrs A. E. Mansford, the president, back after her illness, and Mrs Mansford acknowledged the good wishes of members. Miss L. M. Banks, matron of the Hospital, gave a talk on “The Caro of the Convalescent.” On such care, she said, depended the patient’s ultimate health. Convalescence was a stage between serious illness and the full restoration to health. It was a very variable stage and presented many difficulties. Influenza was a common illness, and therefore regarded lightly. Due to proper care not being taken during convalescence serious illness often resulted from influenza. Apart from the risk 1 of infecting others in the acute stage, influenza sapped the strength and left the patient feeling “flat,” so that it was advisable to go to bed. Some patients had a very protracted convalescence and presented a difficult problem. In the general nursing care of con-

valescent patients there were four factors of prime importance, Miss Banks proceeded. The first, adequate rest, was necessary for all, whether well or ill. The amount of sleep varied with the age and health of the person, but sufficient sleep was more valuable than drugs. Any sick person became tired easily and should go to bed early and get up late. A -warm, comfortable bed, a hot bath and a hot drink made sleep easier. Exercise was, ns everyone realised, necessary in health, but it was difficult to arrange adequate exercise for convalescents. Occupation was beneficial for them, and occupational therapy was being developed in many hospitals! Women could usually occupy themselves, but men often had to be taught to do so. At the Palmerston North Hospital' there ivas an tional teacher who taught the convalescent. children to do basket work, wool work and the like. There were also occupations for convalescent patients in the men’s and women’s wards, and the days were passed far more quickly. Diet was a controversial question, but all foods should be nourishing without being rich. They should be well cooked and attractively served. A well cooked meal badly served was unappetising. The tray should be nicely set with a clean cloth for every meal, preferably white linen. China, glass and cutlery should be dean and well polished, and a few freshly picked flowers ma.de the tray attractive. Small helpings were more appetising than- big ones. Miss Banks concluded by. expressing her pleasure at being asked to speak, and she was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of Mrs Bradfield. Songs' were contributed by Mrs W. R. Bigbam and Master Earle Andrews (the latter accompanied by Mrs H. Pierard). Mrs Tyrrell thanked both performers. The secretary (Mrs N. V. Ballinger) announced that £5 4s had been raised at the last meeting for the annual hamper sent to the mental hospital at Porirua. She also reported having made inquiries as to whether the club could assist with the patriotic shop. She suggested that the club take over the shop for a week and the members signified their -agreement with this. Mrs M. Aitchison, representing the Women’s National Reserve, read a letter from the medical .superintendent of the Porirua Mental Hospital expressing appreciation of the hamper and also of the interest of the Women’s National Reserve in the. female patients. The secretary (Miss Wiltshire) also conveyed the warm thanks of the welfare branch. A letter from a patient expressing thanks for a trip to the Exhibition was read, and Mrs Aiteliisoii thanked members for the hamper, which, she said, was the best yet sent, on behalf of the AVomen’s National Reserve.