HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1916, Page 9

HOSPITAL BOARD.

HEALTH OF THE DISTRICT, The Taranaki Hospital and Charitahi; AM Board met yesterday. The chairman (Mr. F. C. Bellringer) presided. bwl others present were:—Mrs. ]•'. Doekrill, Messrs. J. E. Hill, E. Maxwell, M. J. Mucßeynolds, Brown, I). H. McDonald, A. H. Halcombe, and G. V. Tate. The Hoard's health inspector (Mr. A H. Kendall) reported that Hiring the past month there occurred in the district 15 eases of infectious diseases, comprising three cases of scarlet fever, nine of diphtheria, two of tuberculosis', and one of hydatids. Two eases of scarier, fever occurred at New Plymouth, and one at Opunakc; six cases of diphtheria occurred at New Plymouth, one at Corhett road, one at Waitara road, and one at Waitara; one ease of tuberculosis came from Dorset road and one from near Waitara. The ease of hydatids came from Koru. The inspector reported that lie had promptly visited all cases as notified and had thoroughly disinfected all premises as required. Cases of measles had been fairly numerous during i'ne past month. Mr. Kendall said he had visited l'nglewood, Waitara, Tarilei, Opunakc, lioru, Corset road, Corbettroad, Okato, and P.aliotu, and had visited and inspected food shops, and butchers' and bakers' premises in New Plymouth and other towns in the district

The medical superintendent (Dr. 13. A. Walker) reported that during October US patients were admitted to the hospital, SI were di'.charged, four died, and 77 remained at the hospital at the end of the month. The daily average v '' a3 78.5. The House Committee recommended the nurses' nolidays be fixed as follows: Matron 31 days,' listers 21 days, nurses 14 days.—Adopted. The matron of the Old People's Home (Mrs. A. Bayly) reported that there were 37 inmates in the home. Everything in the home was going ilyWriting on behalf of the Minister for Hospitals, Dr. T. H. A. Valintine appealed to the Board not to fill important vacancies during the war so that those doctors and nurses on active service should not be debarred, by reason of their patriotism, from applying. It was suggested that only temporary appointments be made.

The Board decided to recognise the appeal and to'keep it in view when an occasion for the consideration of an appointment arose. On the recommendation of the medical superintendent the Board approved of the appointment of masseurs at the hospital. It was decided to secure further information before taking definite steps.