HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 95, 17 September 1914, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterdav, when there were present: Messrs P. C. J. Bellringer (in the chair), G. W. Browne), M. J. Macßeynolds, E. Maxwell, D. 11. McDonald, A. H. llaleombc, G. V. Tate and Mrs, Dockrill. An apology for absence was received from Mr. J. R. Hill. MEIMCAL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. Dr. E. A. Walker, medical superintendent of the Hospital, reported that during the month 54 patients had been admitted to the Hospital, 50 had been discharged and three had died. There were now 57 patients remaining in the Hospital. Forty-nine operations had been performed,. The highest number in the Hospital on any one day was G2. The month had been an exceedingly busy one, especially on the surgical side. Tlie number of operations was tho highest on record. With the necessary increaso in the nursing staff the accommodation at the home was overtaxed, and in the emergency we had to fall back on the building known as "Tariki" to provide for three nurses. He recommended that •Nurse Dora Weaver be promoted to "sister." The recomendation was unanimously agreed to.

OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. Mrs. Bayly, matron at the Old People's Home, reported that everything had been working very satisfactorily during the past month, the discipline had been excellent, with the exception of two cases, which were dealt with by the chairman. The number of admissions to the Home had been five (four males and one female), leaving in the home 21) males and eight females, a total of 37. Dr. Home wrote suggesting that Dr. Wade be appointed to act as medical officer in charge of the Old People's Home during his absence with the Expeditionary Force.—lt was decided to appoint Dr. Wade to the position during Dr. Home's absence.

HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT. Dr. H. E. Finch, District Health Officer, notified that owing to the possibility of the importation of smallpox from Sydney or of a recrudescence from an unknown source in New Zealand, it had been decided not to revoke, the notice declaring ehickenpox to be a notifiable infectious disease for the present. Mr. C. M. Lepper (acting-inspector) reported that during the period August 1!) to September l(j, 1!)14, he had visited Waitara, lnglewood (three times), Fitzroy, Smart road and Mangorei. Six cases of infectious diseases had been notified—tuberculosis 1, ehickenpox 1, scarlet fever 3, scarlatina 1. He had made seven investigations and performed three disinfections.

NATIVE NURSE'S REPORT. Nurse Muir, native health nurse at Opunake, reported that the month had been a fairly busy one, a good dial of general sickness prevailing in the kaingas. NEW HOSPITAL SUBSIDY. The Board was notified that subsidy, amounting in all to .13)110., had been remitted to its credit. THE NEW HOSPITAL. The Works Committee reported that satisfactory-progress was being made by tlie contractors with the erection of the new hospital. GENERAL. Th? resignation of Nurse Muir as native health nurse in the Taramiki district was accepted. The names of Misses Elsie Smith ami Olive Herd were added to the probationers - list. Accounts as follows wi'Ti: passed Inpayment.:—Hospital £44S4s lid; Charitable Aid, .182 Os 7d.