HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1917, Page 3

HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of tho above board was held yesterday. Present: Mr. F. C. J. Beliringer (chairman), Mrs. Dockrill, Messrs. E. Maxwell, M. J. Meßcynolds, A. E. Svkes, J. Brown, D. H. McDonald, D. McAllum. SUPERINTENDENT'S RiPORT. The medical superintendent (Dr. Walker) reported:—The month has found the stall' fully occupied in all departments. Ward I. has again been opened and now has 17 patients. The admissions reached the high number of !)6. A few isolated cases of diphtheria have come in. while one family has been„ responsible for four cases of scarlet fever. In the X ray department much excellent and valuable work has been done and its usefulness is fully appreciated outside the Board's own district. The number admitted was flfi, discharged 69, deaths 8, remaining 87. Daily average 74.4; operations 43. MATRON'S REPORT.' The matron. Miss E. Browne, reports that Nurses Milroy and Waller had passed the "anatomy and physiology examinations. Nurse Anderson was away on annual holiday leave. Nurses Patehell and Paget have resumed duty after their annual holiday leave. Nurse Mettam, on account of illness, was unable to return and resume duty at the termination of her holidays. She waS allowed two weeks sick leave. Nurses Henderson and Lansley have taken up the duties of pupil nurses.—Received. Regarding the absence granted on account of sickness, it "Was decided that the Matron report all cases to the Board in the first instance. HOUSE STEWARD'S REPORT. The house steward reported that the railing on the children's ward verandah has been erected, and the electric fans duty installed in the meat room and dairy. I regret to report that during a windy night both doors of the coal house became unfastened and were wrenched off their hinges. Repairs to same arc in progress, with due attention being paid to secure fastenings for the future. During the month owing to supplies of milk from the Old People's Home falling short it was again necessary to augment it from Mr. Butler. Mr. Shephard (warder) was granted leave and Mr. John White engaged. I would again point out the necessity of .having an efficient destructor erected, the present temporary equipment being inadequate, more especially with regard to contagious diseases, where it is absolutely necessary total incineration of refuse'should take place.—Received.

HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The health inspector, Mr. A. H. Kendall, reported as follrws:— I have the honor to report that during the past month nine eases of infectious disease were notified in the district, comprising four cases of diphtheria at New Plymouth; four cases of scarlet fever at Mangorei in the Taranakl County; anil one ,caso of enteric fever at ICovito. One, at least, of the cases of diphtheria w»s traceable to a place outside the district, the scarlet fever and enteric case 3 were of unknown origin, but in all cases every precaution ws>s taken, full investigation D*de ,and patients remove.! to hospital. Other matters, including a proposed rubbis'- depot at Waitara, have been reported upon to the District Health Officer, who is dealing with the same. In connection with the Sale of Food and Drugs, samples of milk have been taken with a regularity which must tend to keep up the feeling of supervision (and consequent security) that is being given to ensure a pure supply. All ■samples taken were on analysis found to comply with the requirements of the Act. Some fifty loaves of bread were also weighed during the month and found to be generally of a weight which was well in the buyer's favor. Fruit, meat, and other shops have been carefully inspected during the month.—Received. OLD PEOPLE'S HOME. The matron of the Old Pecjple's Home, Mrs. Bayly, reported everything progressed very' favorably during the past month The supplies were good and the discipline excellent. Admissions four, departure one, deaths two, remaining in the Home, males 32; females, 3 total 35. . „• GENERAL. It was decided to write for quotations for the supply of cotton wool. Dr. Walker, medical superintendent, recommended that Nurse Muir be appointed to the vacancy caused by the resignation of Sister Waite—Agreed to. Farmer and Copeland, contract bakers to the Board, wrote stating that owing to the increase in the price of flour they were compelled to raise the price l& per 41b loaf, making \t BJd.—Agreed to Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, Inspector General, wrote stating that no claim could be made for subsidy on account of Christmas or kindred gifts to hospitals. —The chairman mentioned it made a difference of about £7 to the Board They had received it for years past.— Received.

Plans for the proposed new nurses' home (prepared by Mr V. Griffiths) were before the Board, and were referred to the House Committee to confer with the medical superintendent and matron. Miss Emma Salway's name was added to the probationers' list. It was decided that copies of the estimated receipts and expenditure for 191718 be forwarded to the contributing local bodies, together with the intimation that in the opinion of the Board it will be necessary to lev a rate of 1/6 per £IOO tn enable it to carry on?- next year's „i----minisl ration. Accounts amounting to were for payment.