HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1918, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly mooting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was hold yesterday. Air. If. Eraser (chairman) presided and there were also present: Messrs C Andrews, E. J. Hill, E. Morgan, -1. Andrews, A. 11. Halcome, R W. J. McNeill, J. Young, G. Capper, and A. E Sykes. STTPIIRINTENDENT'S REPORT. In his report for February the medical superintendent (Dr. E. A. Walker) stated work had been steady in all departments. On only four days did the number of patients fall below 90. Th& isolation wards in the old hospital have been brought into commission, fifteen eases of diphtheria being- under treatment One ease of scarlet fever has been admitted. Fifteen soldiers have been treated as in-patients and 20 as out-patients. The number of patients admitted was SG, discharged 05, deaths 2, remaining in hospital 108, highrst number for one day 108, daily average Dii.fi. operations performed 49. ACTING-MATRON S REPORT. The acting-matron (Miss G. Gill) reported that Nurse Lanslcy returned from leave on February 20. Nurse Hirst went on holiday leave on February 21 and returned to duty on March' 14. Sister Pntehell returned to duty on February •2". Sister Bawden took up her duties as ward sister on March 4. Nurse Wilson went on holiday leave on March 13. HOUSE STEWARD'S REPORT. The dispenser and house steward (Mr. C. F. B. Perrin) reported on various matters that had occupied his attention (luring the month. Ho slated one crack in the main corridor was particularly bad and required immediate attention. Hi! also said Dr. Walker had pointed out the necessity of securing more beds. At present there are 04 beds for adults, and mvin" to the increasing: number of patients and returned soldiers it was evident more accommodation would have to be provided. RANGTATEA HOME. Ths matron (Mrs. A. Bayly) reported everything had gone along satisfactorily. There had been one death and there were remaining in the institution 43 inmates (six females and 37 males). FARM MANAGER'S REPORT. Th? farm manager (Mr, Wm. C. Noble) reported steady work for the month. Fiom the lfi cows in milk he had received of milk for the four weeks. He entered some fat pigs at the recent show and secured two second prizes. Tlir manwer asked the Board to consider givin" him an increase in las salary as h > found it difficult to maintain himself an:' his family on his present salary.

Tt was decided that the farm committee should report to next meeting of the licird as to salary and house accommodation for the farm manager. HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The health inspector (Mr. A. H. Kendall) reported 21 eases of infectious disease during the month as follows: Tlree eases of diphtheria, one of enteric fever, and one of tuberculosis in New Plymouth; one of diphtheria and one of tuberculosis at Waitara; anu four cases of diphtheria in the Clifton County. In the latter case the district school was closer! and thoroughly disinfected before reopening. Immediate attention was given to all cases as they occurred and proper precautions taken. During my Visit to Opunake I noticed that at the cottage occupied by the district nurse the hedges needed trimming, the section clearing of tins and old rubbish, and the convenience moving to a new site. The food shops and marts in the district have lipen inspected and somo s.i.-nptes of milk taken and forwarded to the Fominiorr Analyst for analysis. OPUNAKE DISTRICT NURSE'S REPORT. The Opunake District Nurse (Miss J. D. Eoldsworth) reported for the fortnight since her arrival there. She stated that the local committee had resigned and left matters somewhat awkward for a new nurse. She applied for permission to purchase some conveniences for the cottage. She also asked that the health officer should visit the district. The chairman pointed out that the position \vas somewhat unsatisfactory. The Board had sent the nurse to Opunake and was responsible for her salary. The old committee had resigned and there was apparently no organisation on the part of the local residents with regard to raising funds for maintaining the services of the nurse. He did not know if the representatives for the distiict could throw any light on the subject. Mr. Young said he could get no satisfaction out of the Opunake people. He had L-"Oii assured a day or two ago. however, that a public meeting would be called early for the purpose of reorganising a local committee. Mr McNeill said he could not say much regarding the matter, but if the public meeting was called to consider the question he would undertake to attend. Mr. Young also stated that ho would atterd such meeting - when held. It was ultimately resolved, on thiv motion of the chairman and Mr. Capper, that Messrs Young and McNeill be asked to report to the Board on the matter as early as possible. TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS, i The matter of the Defence Department taking over the old hospital building for use as a military hospital was referred to by the chairman. A telegram had been received from the Chief Health Officer stating that the Minister in Charge of Hospitals had informed him that "in accordance with arrangements made the Defence Department will take over all consumptive soldiers and discharged men. They are to be allowed to remain in existing consumptive sanatoria and hospitals until the Defence Department has hud reasonable opportunity of erecting its own buildings, after which all consumptives—both soldiers and discharged | men —will be provided for by the Defence Department entirely independent of civil requirements. Please take action according! v." Mr. Eraser said the Board members wonlo remember that some time ago the Board had agreed to place the old hospital building at the disposal of the military authorities for the treatment of returned soldiers, provided they equipped and staffed the establishment. As to whether they actually intended to take over the place the Board was somewhat in the dark. It was known that the Minister of Defence was expected In visit New Plvmouth that day and it had been said he desired to visit the hospital, but the Board had had no notice j in connection with the matter whatever, I and no information seemed available at i

to when the Minister -would arrive in town. If the Minister visited the hospital while the Board was making its usual inspection then all the members would be able to meet him. If not some arrangement should be made for members of the Board to meet the Minister. It was agreed that should it be necessary, the chairman, Messrs Sykes, Hill and Morgan be a committee to meet tlie Minister. GENERAL. ' The Inspector-General of Hospitals |Dr. Valintine) wrote further with reference to the employment of unqualified persons as assistants to ho&pital dispensers, that the Minister had approved of the drawing up of definite proposals for the amendment of the Act next session, but no guarantee could be given that the measure would be put through during the short session.—Received. The clerk of the Egmont County Council wrote stating that the following resolution had been passed at the last meeting of the Council: "That this Council is of opinion that soldiers' wives should be treated free of charge at all public hospitals." The chairman stated that there was 110 necessity to do anything in the matter as the Government hail already decided the question. Incy 12. Smith and Jirice Fairbrothor applied to be put on tiie list of probationer nurses for the hospital. Tlie i panel'" in each case were all .in order j and the applications were granted. ' On the motion of Messrs Morgan and Andrews it was decided that tlie four ' town members of the Board should he ! an executive committee to act 011 all j matters of urgency. ; An application for increase in salary by one of the Board's employees was i"i'feried to the finance committee. Hie committee set up to go into the matter of securing improved accommodation for the Board and the office staff subltted a report. It was stated that suitable offices v-f-'iT available in Griffith's Buildings \ \ li couid be leased. A building prop,-.5.,! - vns aiso considered I !mf it was fell ■ i'visalile to proceed willi such a scheme m view of the large i amount which the contributing bodies j .would have toon to find. '

J It was decided that the matter be left in tK' hands of the committee, with iiowo" to act. The matter of closing part of West street for hospital purposes was considered. Mr. Hill reported on behalf of the committee set up for the purpose, recommending that application be made to tho Borough Council for permission to fence oil' part of West street, and that the same bo handed over to the control of the Board.—The committee's recommendation was adopted. Accounts amounting to £724 Cs 4d ware passed for payment and payments amounting'to £023 2s Gd authorised. The Board then went into committee.

HAVE YOU EVER SUFFERED THE A£SONY OF NEURALGIA?

There is no neeil to describe Neuralgia. Those who have endured its torment do not wish to recall it. Those who have never sull'ered could not understand. But this is unnecessary suffering. Neuralgia need not be endured. Dr. Sheldon's Magnetic Liniment has put an end to this martyrdom. Rub it on the forehead, back of the neck, on the gums. Dr. Sheldon's Magnetic Liniment smoothes ; out the pain, draws out the Neuralgia i like a magnet. First, you enjoy the I sensation of ease after pain, then refreshing sleep follows the relief. On : awakening you realise that Dr Sheldon's i Magnetic Liniment is your safeguard 1 and refuge against future attacks. A i 1/fi bottle of Dr. Sheldon's Magnetic ; ! Liniment wiil convince you that it will banish all pain. A 3/- bottle provides protection for all the family. Obtainable everywhere. KILL THE DEADLY FLY. In a. few minutes you can kill all the flies or mosquitoes in a room by simply burning "FLT KEELO' insect powder. ; There is nothing to eyual it for quickness and ease of operation. Any chemI ist- or store can supply, but—remember to ask for "FLI-KEELO." It kills all j vermin with deadly oertainty. 0 -