OAMARU HOSPITAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 337, 23 May 1877, Page 2

OAMARU HOSPITAL.

The regular monthly meeting; c)f tho Committee of the above institution was held last evening at the Secretary's office Present : Messrs. T. H. Brown, Vicepresident (in the chair), Steward, Lemon, Dunn, M'lntosli, Mainland, Flett, Townsend, and Church (Secretary). MINUTES, ETC J The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward corresrespondence read and approved. SHEARERS' DONATION. A letter was read from Mr. M'Combo (secretary) and Mr. M'Grcgor (treasurer), enclosing a cheque from the Shearers' Union for L2O as a donation to tho Hospital. It was resolved that the thanks of tho Committee should be tendered to tho Shearers' Union for its handsome donation. HOSPITAL COLLECTIONS. Letters were read from the managers of St. Paul's Church, intimating that a hospital collection would be made on tho second Sunday in June. A letter was also read from the Ilov. A. Gifford and the churchwardens of St. Luke's, stating that a collection would bo made in that Church on the first Sunday in June. MEDICAL ItErORT. The following report from the Medical Superintendent was read : Gentlemen, —In accordance with your request I beg to report for the quarter ending 31st March, 1877, as follows : —Acute rheumatism, 3 ; chronic rheumatism, 1 ; ulcers, 2; abscess, 7; huematuria, 1 ; keratitis, 1 ; debility, 1 ; sprain, 1 ; iritis, 1 ; meningitis, dyspepsia, 1 ; paralysis of flexors of hand, 1; catarrh, 1; bronchitis, 1; dislocation, 1; oretitis, 1; crzema, 1; lacerated wound, 1 ; bruises, 2; amputation for injury of leg, 1 j fracture, 1 ; gastritis, 1 ; disease of shoulder joint, 1 ; number of patients admitted, 33. Of this number 29 patients wore discharged cured, and relieved ; 1 died from bronchitis ; and 3 remain in tho Hospital. I have, &c, Albert J. Garland, L.R.C.P.E., M.R.C.B.K, &c, Superintendent. Oamaru Hospital, 14th May, 1877. REPORT OF THE VISITING COMMITTEE. The report of this Committee was read, from which we learn that the buildings and appointments are in satisfactory order, and that the patients are well satisfied with their treatment;' The report states that there are at the present time 10 inpatients (eight male and two female), who are apparently progressing favourably. On the 21st a patient (Myers) died of dysentry. Several surgical operations have been successfully performed during the month, of which details will no doubt appear in the medical report, among them being a very difficult one (the case of William White) in which tho upper part of the shoulder was by Dr. Garland. The patient is- doing well. The Committee also reported as to the necessity of certain works being done, and forwarded accounts to the amount of > LB3 lis. 10£ d. for payment. The report was adopted, and power giron to the incoming Committee to carry

out the suggestions therein contained, and the accounts submitted were passed for payment. RECOVEPwY OF COST OF MAINTENANCE. The following letter from Mr. Hislop, in reference to the power of the Committee to recover the cost of maintenance of patients, was read : J. Church, Esq., Secretary Oamaru HospitalDear Sir, —I have the houor to acknowled"e receipt of your letter, asking my opinion as to the power of the Committee to sue for the maintenance of patients admitted into the Hospital, and have to advise as follows :—I am of opinion that the Committee can sue and recover from those patients only ffho themselves apply for admission, and who are, at the time of admission, able to pay. Those patients who take no active steps themselves to be admitted, but who are taken in while unconscious or while unable to contract, at the instance of their friends, are not liable to be sued, unless, after they recover from their disability, they promise to pay. I would suggest that in order to do away with any doubt, each patient should be required to sign his or her name in a book, with an agreement attached, embodying the contents of the Ist rule. This book could be signed by the patient either at the time of admission, if he was in a fit condition to do so. or so soon after his admission as he was able. I have, &c, T. W. Hislop. Oamaru, May 22. It was resolved that the thanks of the Committee be tendered to Sir. Hislop, for his clear explanation with regard to the question submitted to him, and that the suggestions contained in his letter be carried out. VISITING COMMITTEE. The following gentlemen were ap" pointed a Visiting Committee, for the en suing three months, viz., Messrs. Flett, M'lntosh, Townsend, and Morris. FINANCIAL. The Treasures's report was read, showing that, after paying accounts now due, the balance in hand would be reduced to £25. On the motion of Mr. Flett, it was resolved that an earnest appeal be made to the public for funds, the subscriptions being now greatly in arrears, while the number of patients is larger than during any previous year. It was resolved that a detailed list of all subscriptions and donations received during the month, be laid on the table at each monthly meeting. It was decided that the President and Vice-President should wait upon the Calcined Corkonians, and ask them to give an entertainment in aid of the Hospital, at an early date. The meeting terminated with the usual compliment to the Chairman.