THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 194, 14 February 1914, Page 2

THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

IX XE-W SOUTH WALKS. MR. HOLMAN AT THE MEDICAL COXFEREN'CE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Februarv 11. The Medical Congress was addressed l'.V .Mr. W. A. Holman, Premier of Ne.v South Wales, on the subject of "Administration in Regard' to Public Health." His Government, lie said, was giving special consideration to the question of maternity and the protection of child life. ' Special women's hospitals existed, and their functions hfd recently been specially enlarged. •It was proposed to build' others'to meet the growing feeling that confinements should, as far as possible, occur where the most modem scientific facilities for obstetric treatment were available. The Government encouraged the confinement of women in hospitals specially adapted to the purpose rather than in their own homes, and proposed to make every new hospital in coi'inlrv districts provide suflieeut beds to meet possible requirements. The Federal Go. vernment gave a maternity bonus M all cases of confinement, and the State aimed to provide a medical stall' and nursing- assistance without charge to those unable to meet it. A babies' hospital had recently been provided for the spe cific purpose of combating gastro-en teritis, and the Government was now building special hospitals for children in the large country centres to counteract the high mortality of child life there.

In connection with the medical inspection of schools, it was intended, said Mr. Holman, to start almost iiniucditely what might be called a travelling hospital, staffed by two medical officers, one dentist and one nurse, to deal with eye troubles, and, where necessary, j.ive anaesthetics in minor operations, such as the removal of adenoids large tonsils, etc. Himself and his colleagues were strongly impressed bv Mie. need for preventive treatment (if mental eases, and it was intended to j provide for this work on modern lines.