TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1915, Page 2

TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

' TUB ROYAL COJIMISSIOX. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, August 3. The Trentliam enquiry was continued to-day.

Major James Sands Elliott, priiieiuul medical officer in the Weliiugt'Ki military district, staled that a', t>> > request of the Corn-mission lie and i)rs. Christie, Mason, tiibb, (iiesen, Herbert and Pattie liad visited Trenthau; on .Inly )!) and :tl. As a result of their first visit they reported—(l) They were in', satisfied with the accommodation at Trentliam for the infectious oases; i2) they considered that there was liecl for a change in the methods of iu'ULm! administration and supervision : tho-e was urgent need for a proper system of (a) hospital records, (,h) lip-to (iute steam steriliser, (c) increased medical equipment, (d) increased help to medical stall', (e) pack storehouse 'for e-pupiii-'iit. (f proper hospital clothing for lying down eases, (g) a changj in the p.-eseitt system of wet sterilisation with formalin, which was bad, useless ani inadequate, (h) all details i c nursing ani equipment required organisation; (4) they were concerned that at the present time men were being sent out on silk leave who might possibly 'be a menace to the health of the community; (5) it was absolutely necessary to appoint a bacteriologist, to be in constant touch with tils medical officers of military hospitals, and who would be able to offer his services and lie'p at all times; (0) the authorities acted rightly in making ui 1 ra'eco'irsc buildings a temporary expedient for the accommodation of the sick, but more suitable quarter.* were urgently required for the treatment of these very dangerous cases; (7) they were strongly of opinion that a separate hospital staff was required in every large camp, in addition to the regimental and ambulance officers: (8) all cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis, in view of the inadequate accommodation for present cases at Trenthani, should be removed, and in view of the probable extension of the epidemic they strongly recommend that a properly-equipped central fever hospital should be at once arranged for; (9) they would be pleased to co-operate with the authorities in selecting a suitable site; (10) a fully-equipped hospital train should he arranged for the conveyance of sick men from any camp to any recognised hospital centre receiving from the camp; (11) motor ambulances were urgently required, both at the camp and the receiving end. These suggestions were not in any sense reflections on tile capability and industry of the medical ofli.ers, who, the oomniitt.ee believed, worked exceedingly hard and did the utmost any nied'eal men could do to cope with the situation.

The recommendations of the Commission were communicated to the Government. and the following day Dr. Batclielor was appointed consulting surgeon, On duly 31 the committee again visited the camp and found a considerable improvement in many respects. They adhered to their recommendations for a properly-equipped infections diseases hospital, hospital train, etc., and, in addition recommended that convalescent hospital patients should have a. distinctive dress, At present they could not be distinguished from men who had not been .-.ick. The camp hospital was too cla'mrate and had not sufficient accommodation to make it of very much service. More hospital beds should be provided at Trentbom, anil at a lower cost. In South Africa thev had e.xcel'ent accommodation of the. hutment type. The fever hospital suggestion was that suitable buildings should be arranged for. or, if they could mil be obtained, a certain amount of building would he necessary. It should not be too far from the camp, but not ill the camp. Regarding hutments, witness said that he adhered to the recommendation made by a board of which lie was a member. He had urged that huts should be lined with canvas, if wood or asbestos were not available, but Colonel Purdy said they could not he lined. The second hoard had reduced the floor and air space, reduced height of walls, increased tlie number of occupants. an<l placed the buildings in blocks, instead of in echelon. Colonel Ferdinand llatchelor. who re cenlly had military hospital experience ie ligyjjt, said he acted as consulting surgeon since .full' 20. Considering the large number of ea«es, the buildings were remarkably suitable for the purpose, and the authorities were fortunate In having such a number of buildings available. The equipment was all'that could be expected in a temporary hospital. For a camp of S.KJrt men lie would say that if they could retain the racecourse buildings they would have adequate provision for future ep'demiea. An extension could he made with marquees. Accommodation sucli as this was not ideal, but huts would not be much better. llis Honor: Do you consider that in the event of the racecourse buildings not being available provision should he made for future possible epidemics?

Col. liatchelor: Certainly I do. Rome provision, lie added, would have to be made for men returning in the course of, and a-fter, the war. They had all the equipment, fur medical treatment. Sister Keith was recalled in regard to questions alTecting the Berhamipore Hospital. From May 10, the time when she took charge, she kept temperature books for Fordham and Vollard. Separate temperature charts were kept, and these were at the place before she left. Witness left a fortnight before the question of destroying temperature records aro'-e. She remembered Colley. who wai taken ill suddenly and died next day. When he vomp'aiued of being cold -.lvo took his temperature ami found it below subnormal. She put him to bed nnd applied hot water bottle?. Tt was not necessary to call a doctor at that lime. At n ! <»ht his teimperature rose io 103 t, and she sent to the Wellington hospital. Tie bad not been seen by a dodor up to that time.

Lieut.-Colonel Herbert Kdwurd Pilkinutor. .A<ljuttat-0 1, stated Hint the medical services were classified under his branch. Tic had hal nineteen years' mil'tarv experience. lie remembered tlie rpcninp of (lie Hirlianiporc hospital but. ili'l not remember any requisition for a fe'ephonc for that institution. On ■Tune fi. at mid-day, be visited tlie hosP'tal in .-ompanv with ATnjiir TC'inlt-, tlie Chief of Staff, bavins received a complaint as to overcrowdinfr. He found that tlie number in tlie hospital was 02. There were some marquees nn the 'place, either two or three. One marquee was on il. slope. TTo had pitched a tent on a. sWe himself, but, onlv her-ause there was nowhere else lo pitch it. He qnestinned the men. and (Key seemed to be fairly ■"■c.mforiahle. TTe communicated villi the general hospital, which arranged to take five cases. He found that Colonel Purely had made arra neements for some twenty odd to fro had; to Trentlnvm that, day, and another batch on the fol'owins- (lav. Tlie Chief of Sfa(T li&4 an interview with the Defence Minister. and they then hail some communieVV 'tli the Ilea-1! OeD"Hm*nt.

I'urdy had told him that there should not lie move than between lilt}' and sixty at the hospital at licrhaiiipore. Tim Lilt-lease to ninety-two was duo to a rush of .patient* in a. few days. As the result of the communication with the Health Department, he understood that the latter took over the control of the, institution. As the result of what he say lie considered tliut ft telephone waa necessary, and had it installed. Dr. Martin: 'AVJio controls the Director of Military Hospitals? Witness: The General Officer Commanding the Forces. Von lose all touch with the medical services since the D.M.11. lias been appointed? Except for Territorials. The chairman: Could you order Dr. Valintine about? (Laughter). Witness: J could appeal to him over hospital cases. Dr. Valintine intimated that lie had details which he could supply to the Commission later. Dr. Martin asked: Who would be the controlling authority, if one of the medical officers of the reinforcements turned out to be professionally incompetent? Witness: The Director of Medical .Services. Dr. Martin: And lie will report to you ? Witness: Yes. Dr. Valintine explained that, as Director of Military Hospitals, he had to undertake the inspection and sanitation of military camps, the estaMisliment and inspection of military hospitals and convalescent homes, and the transfer ot patients from one hospital to another, Colonel Purdy -was responsible for the examination of recruits, inspection of transports, control of ambulance, and all matters relating to the medical establishment other than those relating to hospitals. Dr. Valintine said he had to report direct to the General Officer Com nra nding.

lii answer to !Mr. Skerrett, Colonel Pilkmgton stated tliat it was left to Colonel Purely to make tlie best arrangements in connection with the epidemic. Mr. Skerrett: Were you and the general right in leaving it to Colonel Purdy to foe if sufficient were being done? Witness: We were assured by the Director of Medical Services that everything was being done. Mr. Skerrett: Then I take it that the D.M.S. is responsible if there were a deficiency of accommodation? In reply to Mr. Gray, witness stilted that he had often discussed hospital matters with Colonel Purdy. Surgeon-Captain Yeates attended to make an explanation. He said it seemed that the evidence would throw some blame on Major Holmes and Captain Fyffe, and he waited to dispel any idea that those medical officers did not <lo their host. Anything that happened at the cannjp was not their fault. He also wished to dispel any idea that there was any unfriendliness between himself and the two officers named. Captain Yeates wont on to say that Sergt.-Major Dorizac had stated that he (Captain Yeates) rode a horse round the camp when on sanitary duty. He could not ride a horse between the tents; he would require a. circus horse to do that. The chairman:' Did you have a horse there ?

Witness: Yes.. Tlie chairman: I don't think he said you rode between the tent lines.

Witness: He said I could not help tripping over them. Captain Yeates added that he rode a liorso up to the camp. A.s to u charge of llis not being in camp after the early morning parade, he had been in and out always every hour of the day. His duties were self-imposed. He used to go round and visit the men, and he had brought medicine from town for tlieni, which he had bought at his own expense. "W hat I would take exception to," Captain Yeates remarked, "is that 1 was not given official work in that Kunp. I Wiu pushed on one side. With icgard to that letter from Colonel Purdy 1 wish him to withdraw that untrue statement about me, and allow me to get to the front. I cannot go while that is there. I want to give him that offer to withdraw." The chairman: I am afraid that is not tt mutter we can haud'e. Captain Yeates: Xo; but I give him that offer.

William Colley, principal lightkeeper ; of the Kelson lighthouse, slated that his son Stanley died in the Wellington lioa•pital on June 11. Deceased was a plumber anil sanitary engineer, and he was considered the strongest in the family. lie received a letter, dated June fi, from his son in the JVrhampore hospital. In this the deceased said lie was laid up with measles. lie complained of the wet state of the camp, and said he expected to be going back there in a few days. The young man took a turn for the worse on June 10. Witness was informed by a telegram from Trentham. hearing date dune 11, 7.12 p.m. The deceased passed away at 10.1") on that dale. Witness left next morning, arriving at Wellington at nearly 10 p.m. on dime 12. to ]e;trn that his son was dead. Witness interviewed Sister Keith :it the Herhanvpore hospital, asking her what hud been done about him. Slu« explainel the sudden circumstances of hU iliness. TIo asked her if she had any reason for not sending for a doctor, and she replied that she Mid not think he was as bad as all that." She had rung up for an ambulance at 9 p.m., ami had the young man sent to the Wellington hospital. Witness asked the doctor why n te'egram about the lad's condition was not sent sooner. The doctor answered that he could not get a direct reply from the camp when he rang up, and that one could never get into communication with the person he wanted.

Colonel Purdy stated that Collev was sent; to the Wellington hospital, which was close at hand, because this was a better course than waiting for a doctor to come. He was informed either bv Dr. Myers or Dr. Haslwell that Colley died of acute meningitis. That everyilrng was done for the boy be was quite certain.

lbivates MieXeeley and iVnk gave evidence of experiences in the hutments at Trentham.