HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1916, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MOOTING. The ordinary meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board was liclii at New Plymouth yesterday, when (here were present: Messrs. P. C. J. Bellringer (chairman), 1). H, McDonald A. E. Sykes, E. Maxwell, M. J. Mcßeynolds. J. R. Hill, J. Brown, G. V. Tate, A. H. Haleombe and Mrs. Dockrill. HOSPITAL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. Dr E. A. Walker, medcal superintendent, reported that SS patients had been admitted during the month, 78 had been discharged, 10 had died, and there now remained in the hojjpitn' 78. The highest number of patients ior one day was 84. There had been Si. operations. A member of the nursing staff was laid aside with enteric feve; The fact that she had to share a bedroom with another nurse went to emphasise the urgent need, already noted, of immediate provision being made for the proper accommodation of the nursing staff, OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. Mrs, Bayly, matron at the Old People's Home, reported that everything had been progressing very favorably. The sunplies had been very good, and the discipline excellent. There had been one admission and two departures. There now remained in the home 30 males and four females. HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT.

Mr. A. H. Kendall (health inspector) reported that, during the past month, there were three cases oi scarlet fever, twenty-four cases of diphtheria, and one case of infantile paralysis, or a total of twenty-eight eases of infectious disease in the district The eases of scarlet fever were: One case in New Plymouth, one in the Taranaki County, and one in the Egmont County. There were two cases of diphtheria in the Taranaki County, .two >ll Waitara, one in .the Clifton County, and. nineteen, in New Plymouth, and one vase of infantile paralvsis-rt Tnglewood. He had promptly visited and investigated all these cases on receipt of the notifications, had notified .".11 school teachers, and made special on each' case to the District Hen'.t'.i Officer in Wellington, and also carried out disinfection of all promises as soon :is removal to hospital, or recovery, made such disinfection possible, and in connection therewith had visited Pihaina, Uruti, Okato, Kaimata, Opunake, and Inglewood and Waitara on several occasions. As far as possible most cases have been lemoved to, a'nd treated in hospital, while in a few cases where proper facilities for isolation existed, and when theMiospital was full, certain patients were treatfd in their own homes. The epidemic o f diphtheria in New Plymouth appeared to show signs of abating.

PRECAUTION AGAINST TUBER CULOSIS.

A circular letter wa? read from the Health Department in connection with the campaign against tuberculosis, and suggesting the giving of special lectures to nurses on the prevention and treatment of consumption, rnd if such was the desire of the Boa;d, arrangements would be made with arc officer of the Department to deliver such lectures.

The chairman said that the Board hud provided an annexe for dealing with consumption. It was decided to refer the matter of lectures to the medical staff.

/ ASSISTING RECRUITING. Tile Minister of Public Health forwarded copy of circuit' letter pointing nut that various hospital boards were assisting recruiting l\ granting free treatment to recruits who are debarred from enlisting unless they undergo some ' i'■ i" \ Tho chairman stated that the board had b«n s assisting in this way for mcr twelve months. THE HOME FOR INCURABLES. The Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote asking whether the time had arrived when the old hospital building was to be used for the incurables of the provincial district, as was agreed between the Boards»in 1012, and if so whether steps would be taken to adapt the building for the purpose ? The chairman said that, so far, nothing had been done in the matter, seeing that it was probable that the building would have been required as an isolation block, or a nurses' home. However, from the report of the health officer, it appeared that the epidemics were decreasing. The question now to consider was whether it would not be better to have a conference of the other boards interested, with the object of modifying or fulfilling the agreement. His opinion was that these eases could be treated better in a ward attached to the Old People's Home. Since the agreement was entered into, things had altered considerably, medical men being of opinion that there were no sue!) tilings as incurable eases. It would be much more economical to treat the cases at the Old People's Home than to maintain the old hospital building. This Board, at present, had no incurabl" eases.

Mr. .T, Brown considered that it would be advisable to have another conferenee. The Taranaki Hospital Board did not desire to go back 011 its word. He moved that the matter should be deferred until next meeting, and that meanwhile a committee should be set up to confer with committees from-the other Boards interested. Mr. Maxwell, in seconding the motion, considered it would be f. ,v better to levieiv the position. He thought there was a good deal to recommend the suggestion that incurables shouli be treated in a ward at the Old People's Home site. There was, of course, the adaptability of the old building f«r other purposes to be considered Mr. Mcßeynolds thourht ttiat it was a pity opportunity li.vj not been taken of the opening c-i fcv new hospital to have a 'with the other boards, who sV*V-d certainly hi)ve been advised of any change in the plans. They had been waiting since l'.lll for the agreement to be carried out, and would be prepared to bear pr) rata any part of the expense. Mr. Maxwell pointel out that the Board was prepared to carry out its agreement, but, as one of the bodies who would share the he was of opinion that considerable expense could be saved, if they could mutually agree as to the position. The point was whether the proposed building was most suitable for the purpose. There was no suggestion of shirking the agreement, The chairman said that it, was merely a question of saving menev. Hawera and Stratford would be equally as willing to save money as they were. It was resolved to receive the letter and Messrs. Maxwell, Brown and the chairman were appointed a committee to consider tlio matter and report to the Board. GENERAL, The County of Egmont Nursing As'.AQlatiro wrot* ewm'ntf regret that ill

health had compelled the resignation of Mr. Lepper, and expressing the hope that he might soon be restoud to good health. The Department of Internal Affairs forwarded voucher fo- £4 10s, being amount 1 payable on account of land agent's licenses. The jir.ard decided to obtain further information as to the number of land agents registered, it being considered that tin: amount was rather small. The Borough Council notified that the minimum charge foi electric current in respect of each meter in use should not be made, the Board to be charged for the amount of current consumed in the aggregate, The chairman's action .in appointing Nurse McHafl'y to the hospital staff was confirmed. Accounts amounting to '£9B9 5s 3d were passed for payment.