ALCOHOLIC SUBJECTS.

Shannon News, 18 November 1921, Page 1

ALCOHOLIC SUBJECTS.

TREATMENT IN HOSPITAL

At last meeting of the Palmerston Hospital Board, the Director-General of Health, Dr. Valintine, wrote stating that by direction of the Minister of Health, the department would not reinmburse boards, as it had done m the past, for the cost of special attention that might be required in corn nection with delirium tremens cases in general hospitals. He intimated that full consideration of the matter showed no reason why Ihe Department should, bear this cost, which was obviously the responsibility of the hospital boards if the patient was unable to pay. ” •

The chairman said that delirium tremens cases were very troublescqne, and the policy of the board was to refuse such admissions except on the application of the police, in which case an attendant had to be sent with them. Nurses were not really capable of handling such cases, and it was unfair to put them under their charge. He recalled that one delirium tremens subject at the hospital chased a nurse through the wards, brandishing a heavy billet oP woofi. The nurse escaped through a glass door, and as she made her exit, the patient struck at her. Fortunately the blow missed, but the door was shattered.

Mr \V. Murdoch: Are D.T. cases sick ones? He contended the board should take a definite stand in -the matter. The complaint, was • brought about by the act of the individual. Should the ratepayers of the country have to . pay for them if the sufferer had no money? MF Horn blow: I think each licensed house should have a padded cell on the premises for the treatment of such cases.

The letter was received, and it was pointed out that as the police brought such cases for treatment, that they would not be received unless placed in charge of a< police official.