HUMANITARIAN WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 298, 26 May 1915, Page 4

HUMANITARIAN WORK.

CARE Oi" SICK AND ACER ;>uk hospital axd old pkomj-x' HO.YIL. 'I hi' comprehensive system which has been adopted in >:,•»• '»nland lor the care of the sick" and 11IVl'ius w.ell as of the aged and de.-titute, is one of the many of the enlightened and humanitarian policy of the Dominion. The most gratifying feature of this government by the people lor the peopl" »'• the elimination of the element of charily which is so repugnant to the ililiitid and distressed, j'ivery resident of this country can claim as an absolute i'ight all the benefits of our .splendid Kvsiti»sn which is administered by the 1 JosI'ita! and Charitable Aid Hoards, and. to receive the very best attention that care, i kill, mid forethought can supply. The people [lay for their hospitals and homes •'or the aged, and are therefore entitled to use them when the need arises without losing a fraction of self respect, for they own these institutions aijd directlv )T indirectly contribute to their maintenance. As to whether the best use is (nade of the system depends largely on the administrative ability of the members of the various hoards, and of the recognition by those members of the underlying spirit of compassion, and f.indly helpfulness that should be in evidence. It is gratifying therefore to know from actual experience that the personnel of the Taranaki Hoard is one that fits it peculiarly well to undertake ,md carry out the work of caring for 'hose who reed medical and humanitarim treatment, the more so as"it contains i lady member who is both able and willing'to do all in her power towards Hie success of the institution and the ivelfare of the patients at the hospital lind the inmates of the home. The board is also fortunate in having for its chairman Mr. F. C. J. Bcllringer, who has proved an exceptionally able administrator, as is evidenced: by the excellent ttal'o of both branches of the work.

THE lIOSVITAL. Placed in an ideal situation where it receives every ray of sunshine and an abundance of fresh air, commanding magnificent views over the surrounding ;ountry as well as across a large extent if sea-front, the (/resent hospital, with its extensive and well-kept grounds has (uiturally become one of the show places jf tiie town, and it is not surprising -li'it patients rapidly recover on being vcleased from the wards. Tts days of usefulness, however, are numbered, for ,i handsome new structure on a still higher elevation is soon to be utilised, and the long- career of usefulness will come to an end, the old order giving (ilaee to the new in this age of constant progress. During its existence it has iii'eii a much appreciated boon to thonuiids of sufferers who have had good muse for gratitude for the unfailing lure, attention, skill, and kindly sympathy that they have received, while to 'hose who have passed to the Great Beyond their last hours have been made as painless as the highest skill could render possible. The groat test of the institution to be found in the fact'that there is no longer any dread or reluctance on t'ne part of the sick and wounded, to inter the hospital, for it has come to ix regarded as si friend in need, and it is rarely that a patient leaves the institution without expressing heartfelt gratitude to the nursing and medicaf staff.

THE RIGHT OF ADMISSION. It cannot be too well known that liotli the hospital and home belong to ihe people. They pay for these institutions, and are entitled to make full use nf them should the need; arise. There nre many who are under the impression that in order to obtain admission to the hospital it is necessary to get an order from a doctor, but this is not so. Anyone in need of hospital treatment can, mi application to the secretary, procure tin order for admission as a matter of right, "always provided that there is a vacant bed, but if the case is found unfitting by the medical superintendent im making his first visit to the patient, then the newcomer will bo discharged, otherwise he or she will be placed in the proper ward for treatment. The fact that, residents in the district can demand admission should always be kept in Inind. as the knowledge may save trouble and expense. It should also lie known that the hospital fees cover all expenses—medical, nursing, and board, und as these fees are fixed at a very leasonable figure they should be paid cheerfully and promptly.

THE NEW HOSPITAL. When the idea of building a new hospital on up-to-date sanitary lines was tirst mooted there was much said against the project, which was regarded lis an unnecessary expenditure of a eon - Hiderable sum of money, but ere long common sense prevailed. In no building is it so imperative that the structure mid the general arrangements shall be so strictly on the most scientific sanitary lines as a public hospital. The present building, which has done such excellent service has many faults, fn the iirst place it is a wooden structure, and therefore liable to decay and more I liable to catch tire. Its arrangements, good as they were, left much to be desired, and increased accommodation was badly needed. .Some courage was required on the part of the Hoard to face such a large order as an entirely new building involving an expenditure of something like X 33,000, but the deed has accomplished, and there is every reason to consider that the new hospital Will be one of the most sanitary, best equipped, and well arranged institutions In the Dominion. It is not an imposing building like the present hospital, and there are not wanting critics who consider that; it is too low and "squattv" looking. It certainly would have presented a better appearance for an addition:!! two feet iu height, but the cost would have been proportionately greater, while the actual bcnellt would lime been insignificant. All (he same, it has a pleasing appearance, and when the grounds are laid out around the building the general appearance should lie \evx attractive. II is, ho»e\et', the interior (nut the working part that has vocoixcd that close and careful attention which makes for successful management, am! from present appcaranees the architect I (Mr. K. Messenger) and the board have

evidently been guided by some 0 f tfi® ic'st..model* available. ke latest ! i sanitary appliances are to Ims found iro "tt" m 't tl'J' building, while the-light-r.si'i i', ' T i t,o l ■ ttrfi aa near I'Brfectas risible Ihe heating Byslerllj wWch I'll' !" "1 l,oi!ers located in Hlm«i r H pZ C'T lmiwinfr 11- hem;; jnoMuul in ease of a breakdown whilefor tin- operating theatre a sepaiate boiler is to be used; Tli fi eorhdfir which rims from ciul to end of buildings is l()() yill , ls long, a! 1 v.anls and other room.) leading off directly thcretnuii. What strikes the viaitor at once is llmt tin-re are no dust (raps, but t.iat the whole building lenda. .Ik. KtiiHt.ire being of brick, concrete and p.aster ran easily be kppt , » iectly sanitary condition. Tile men s tor the children's ward, cgpechlV the convalescent quarters arc, excelent, and tfi« kitchen is a model'of eff'-e----tne service. The- contractors have the work well in hand, and could lmi»h next month !f bought desirable. Should tile building be ut.bsed by the Defence Department for wounded soldiers, the work can bo pushed forward and the building ready very speedily. It is quite within, the hounds of probability tliat VZ? me to which this new building will - )e put will be for our wounded men it will be an honor to the district if thi* course is adopted. Should' tins not he the case, the formal opening should 1» made the occasion for a special function to Which the ratepayers of the hospital district—the contributors to the expense thlH ,ini ' building—should be invited so that they may see what sort of an asset is re,,routed by their money. Here w little fear that they will not be sa.tisl.ed and proud of the institution they own. It is a credit to the S'," ;l ho . ~ld ! ,rt,vi: of inestimable benefit to suffering humanity. (To be continued.)