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AT THE HOSPITAL

j A WALK AROIW

'A SPLENDID INSTITUTION.

I " r would you to take a walk j Ground and see for yourself how we are j managing tilings," said the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital to a News man who had gone up the other day to render some little service. Visiting the Hospital just now ia tabooed, because the attenuated staff are exceedingly 'busy and becauso of the danger of infection. To guard against infection, the newspaper man was fitted up in a surgeon's gown—or was it a nurse's?— had his sleeves rolled up, and other safeguards taken. Then, in company with the surgeon, he sallied forth to do the rounds, looking for all the world as if he were a special medical importation brought up to help in dealing with the epidemic. The Superintendent is really a wonderful man. Bright and cheerful, having time for everything and everybody, notwithstanding that he has not ipown a j decent night's sleep for a fortnight, lis not I only supervises the huge establishments with their multifarious departments and worrying details, but finding time to keep an eye on and gripping the threads of the intricate machinery he has set early in motion in town to assist in stamping out the epidemic. He is a singularly good example of human perpetual motion. He has not lost, in this time of difficulty, anxiety, and sadness, his appreciation of a good joke and his capacity for smiling on the world, where-

in we may find the secret of his ''sticking it" and his success. "We'll go down this way, and see the old buildings. We have still a reserve of beds left, .and things are going along' very well indeed- We have over sixty here now, and they are being evacuatea to Kawaroa Park and East End daily now, not quite as fast as they are coming in, but still we hope before long that the transferences will equal the admissions."

The first ward contained about thirty beds, a few being vacant. The patients, mostly from the country, were all progressing well, said the doctor,. What impressed itself most upon the mind was the airiness of the the ventilation being all that it .could be,' and the spic-and-span appearance of everything. On the left was another ward, a men's ward, with an equipment of beds, and everything in readiness for freßh cases. "This is our reserve," said the doctor, but, judging from the way the cases came in on Sunday afternoon and evening, it will soon be all utilised.

In the airy passage one accosted the wives of prominent citizens performing V-A.D. duties and others who had had previous hospital experience. "Without their help it would be impossible for the Hospital to carry on under the conditions that prevail to-day. They deserve, as they have earned, the thanks of the community for their unselfish and devoted service in tho cause of humanity. Then the women's wards were reached. The patients seemed to be receiving all possible attention, and it was not surprising to learn that several would be leaving almost, at once for the convalescent home on the seaside. Still another men's ward, where the patients were looking bright and happy. Some familiar faces were seen here, and "Doing all right" was tho unanimous answer to questions as to their condition. Ob the verandah were four or five men taking things easy and awaiting removal to Kawaroa. One left tho old building feeling thankful that the Board had not demolished a structure that was now being put to such valuable use. It is a rather surprising fact that whilst a few weeks ago there was quite a large number of diphtheria cases, to-day there is onlv one patient in isolation ward, which' is a great blessing. Then off to the main building. "Feelin" fit?" asked tjie doctor of one or two returned soldiers who had been down with the "flu" and were sunning themselves in one of the foremost bays"Yes, quite,' came the answer; "quite ready for Kawarca.' Just around on the verandah on the .west side of the ward were two patients, one resting in bed. the other sitting up. The latter laughed uproariously. Something had tickled risibilities. The cause was soon apparent. "It's you, Mister Blank!" he said, referring to the pressman, and he broke once more into hearty laughter. "Thought you wero a bloom-

ing doctor!" he ejaculated. The real doctor took _a hand. "Yoi, know, von must keep quiet, my friend, and laugiii ing and talking like that won't make ; yon fit. "Sorry," said our Inglewood mend, who, it transpired, had had a rocky run but had put up a big iHit , and was winning out. ° \ The main men's ward was next visited. It was full of "flu' cases, several bein* of a severe type. Like the witches in "Macbeth," they were flitting here, there, and- everywhere, quietly ministering, to the wants of the patients. A wellknown writer once averred that '-bending before stricken men is a reverence. M e touch Ifeaven when hands are hid on a/human body." If this is so, tho Horses arc all angels. Theirs is an exacting calling these days at the Hospital.• Never light nor easy, their duties now are unusually heavy, for but four of the whole staff of forty odd have been down with illness, and many are struggling along when they should be taking~rest or a holiday. Yet there is no demur or complaint ou their part. Their only regret peems to be that they cannot do more, and that the days are not longer. "You look very much like a doctor now!" The observation came from the wife of a leading medico, who had donned cap and apron again, and was what she was years ago; just the digni- ! fled matron, radiant with kindness and sympathy, a source of help to the nursing staff and of comfort to tho stricken patients. The ward appeared to be fairly full, and again were seen the familiar faces of public and ex-public men who had peeped into the portals of Eternity but had by dint of courage and good constitutions, not to speak of skil-

ful medical and nursing assistance, succeeded in turning the corner. Others there were—fine, strapping fellows, promising lads; sedate and calm, elderly men who had home the heat and harden of t It was sad to see them all there, but it wan pood to observe tho surroundings and notice the perfect ventilation and the devotion of the nursesOne could wish for no better place to be in were one also stricken with illness. "This is the women's ward." We were in the eastern verandah, where there were quite a number of patients in bed. "And how is Sister this morning? You'll be glad to hear things are much better and brighter to-day." The Superintendent was talking to one of his nurses, who had contracted the disease, and liis presence" seemed to act as a tonic on the patient, who brightened up and expressed pleasure at the turn of affairs. There is a great bond of affection between the 'Superintendent and the nurses. Alongside was another nurse, also ill. To her he addressed a few words of comfort and cheer.

And then inside. K stately nurse came forward and spoke to the doctor . about a case. The nurse is the daughter of a well-known citizen who had retired from the profession, but, like many others with nursing experience, offered her services immediately the emergency arose. The ward was not as full as the men's, but there were some serious eases, all being watched over by'the ministering nurses, who were doing all that wa3 humanly possible to win them back to health. Here, as elsewhere, the conditions for fighting the disease —fresh air, sunshine, unremitting care—obtained, and agam one felt thankful that in their hour of trouble they were in such good hands and in such a splendid place. There was the surgical ward and the children's ward, but it was to see the conditions under which the influenza was being fought that was the raison d'etre of the visitation, and back the whiteclad doctor and pressman went to the robing room. On the way the Matron was accosted, wearing a, serious yet pleasant air. Her's is a gjeat responsibility these days. But she is equal to it, notwithstanding that her health is not all that it should be. She has passed through so much during the past week or so that nothing that can possibly arise in the near future can disturb her equanimity or alter lier philosophical outlook. The great record of the hospital, Its success in face of trials and difficulties of a. magnitude never previously known, are in no small measure due to the-' capacity, tact, and resource of this fine little woman. "Will she come out f for some fresh air m a motor-car? -* 1 * o, she cannot leave her place, not even for an hour. She would like to, but there is much to be done, and she cannot lea.ve her post. More V.A.D.'s pass. One notices the wife of another medico, who had doing splendid work amongst the afflicted ones in town, helping the Mayoress in her useful and indispensable work at the rooms, and now is throwing herself heartily into the work of the Hospital. There passes a chic of a girl

I whose special job is to attend to th» door and telephones and generally act as messenger. She is fully alive to her work and acts with tact and confidence. Tho returned soldiers arc there, too, doing valuable work that eases the lot of the staff considerably. "Perfect bricks,'' says the doctor. They are. purses pass out, some gowned, some in j.civics." Ihey are taking off an hour for a riSt into the country—or, at least,! the Matron's orders are that they must take advantage of a motor ride- The doctors points to the room, the "robe" is taken off. hands washed, etc., and the visitation is at an end,

l-he pressman leaves Hie buildings fully salosfied that New 'Plymouth and the portion of Taranaki Gcr\ved by the Hospital have much to Be grateful for in the institution, and in its staff, and that nowhere are patients receiving better or more skilled treatment; and also gratified that it is directed by one who sinks himself entirely in the discharge of his Hospital duties, thinking nothing too great a sacrifice so long as t-lio aiflicted are succored and life saved.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19181126.2.35

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1918, Page 6

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,761

AT THE HOSPITAL Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1918, Page 6

AT THE HOSPITAL Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1918, Page 6

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