HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 229, 15 February 1913, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

-MONTHLY .MEET IN (J. J. lie monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Hoard was held yesterday. I here were present: The chairman (Mr. K C. J. Bellringer) and Messrs W. Cutlield, G. \V, Browne, F. J. Hill, M. J. Mi-Reynolds and 1). 11. McDonald. THE '•WHITE PLAGUE."

The Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr. Valintine) forwarded a copy of the report of the conference on the subject of administrative control of tuberculosis. He suggested that the Hoard consult with the medical superintendent of the Hospital and other institutions as to what measures could be put into operation forthwith. In view of the fact that members of the conference were unanimous us to the part that education should take in a campaign of this nature, Dr. Valintine suggested that the Board arrange with medical men to give lectures on the subject in various parts of the district. Should the Board require his services, the District Health Officer would be only too glad to attend a meeting of the Board and discuss the details of the campaign under its several headings. The chairman said he was thoroughly disappointed with the conference, which had in the main been comprised of Government officials. Medical men engaged in private practice and meeting with eases of tuberculosis every day should have had representation on the conference.

The matter was not further discussed and it did not form the basis of any resolution.

THE NURSING STAFF. In a letter to the Board, Dr. Walker suggested that in view of the results of the recent State examination and of changes in the personnel of the Hospital stall'. Sister Nieoll should be promoted to the position formerly occupied by Sister Harris (resigned) and at a like salary, and that Xurses Affleck, Lea, Wallace and Young be placed on the permanent staff. The recommendations, were agreed to. GENERAL.

Appreciation of the Board's sympathy in connection with the recent fatality at Mokan was embodied in a letter received from Mr. W. 11. Moyes, principal of the New Plymouth High School.

The Treasury forwarded a voucher for the payment of subsidy to the amount of £4OB Ids !)d.

The tender of Messrs Grayling and Cliff, at £Ol Ss. was accepted for the erection of an implement shed at the Old People's Home. The action of the chairman was approved in giving permission to the Agricultural Department to lay down experimental plots at the Old People's Home. Account.-; as follows were passed for pavmiiii!Hospital. £451; charitable aid'. £147.

THE HOSPITAL The medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) reported that during January there had been 40 admissions, 32 departures and G deaths at the Hospital. This left 4!) patients remaining in the institution. Twenty-one operations had been performed.

OLD PEOPLE'S 1-10.M15. The matron (Mrs. A. Bayly) reported that the discipline at the Old People's Home during the past month had been excellent. There had been two admissions. two departures, and two deaths. The inmates at present in the Home numbered 31 men and 7 women. INSPECTOR'S REPORT.

The Board's inspector (Mr. A. 11. Kcnd,all) reported that during the past month he had investigated and reported upon to the Public Health Department one case of scarlet fever and two cases of diphtheria. He had carefully disinfected the premises concerned, and also other premises ill connection with eases ol infectious diseases reported the previous month. He had also visited and inspected bakers', butchers' and other food shops in New Plymouth, Inglewood and Waitara. With the assistance of Mr. Leppcr. he had collected several samples of the milk supply of New Plymouth and forwarded the same to the analyst in Wellington for examination.