The Old People's Home.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7801, 18 April 1905, Page 2

The Old People's Home.

A WELL CONDUCTED INSTITUTION. INFIRM AND SUFFEUINO PATIENTS. Dr. E. A. Walker, modieal superintendent to thu OW People's Hume, following up Ilia recent recommendulion that a. competent assistant bo obtained in view of the increase of ! Work at the institution, submitted to Monday's meeting of tho Charitable Aid Hoard tho following re|port on thu present state of tho Illume awl its management : I "At the present lin.e th-'ie are 518 'men and 5 women in the, Home, majlving' a total of 43, as compared iw.'ih i'B in IUO3, and 2-1 on JKlh |i\'o\ ember, 1902, when the pre.tcn; o.uelaker took charge. "1)1 the atl men eight are helpl less, ami of Ulis number six are lunable to attend to their natural lin eels, this alone making ver.v tcn•si.lcrable addition to the «,)i'i; of the instKiition. Hve eases are in an unsound state of mind, .i il ni- , though manageable in the insLil'ition are so chiefly on account of ;lie experience of Mr Furrar. Five inn«ile-s suher from chronic rheumaUs.n iml are more or crippled b> it. Six have organic heart disease, i hrec suffer ■from hip disease, two from maligmint 'disease, and one fit.m tulberculosis. There are eve cases of ulcerated leg, returning- mossing once or twice per diem, one cencer case requiring daily dressing, and two catheter cases. Of the live women three are helpless. " Out of a total of 43 inmates only six men and two women ore in ai physical condition to give even a little help in the work—indoor and outdoor—of tho institution. " In my opinion the work of tho institution is much, too extensive, to be carried out by Mr and Mrs; Farrar. Tho gradual increase in the number of, inmates has thrown so much on the custodian that his health has shown the result of the strain. As Ms medical adviser, 1 have not only advisud that extra help be obtained, but also that he apply for leave of absence to recuperate. " I should add that the work of Mr and Mrs Farrar and the enthusiasm with which they discharge their multifarious duties moot with my most cordial approval, and although I have visited many similar institutions, I have yet to liiwl one bo homely and comfortable as that of N'ew Plymouth."

Mr Arthur R. Farrur, manager, reported that two new patients were received during the month, «nd one death occurred. The discipline had been good, but the general health of the inmates was not of it satisfactory character, many of them being seriotfely enfeebled by the years slowly creeping on. Work with many was now impossible and they, required, a great deal of time and attention both night and dny k The chairman intimated that applications had been called for the position of assistant, and Air A. 11. Duncan, late custodian o£ the Mountain House, had been appointed. The chairman's action was con(lrmod, and it was agreed that as soon aa the assistant became conversant with has duties, Mr Furrar be granted leave of absence.