TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1919, Page 2

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING The ordinary meeting of the Tnranakl Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday, when there were present: Messrs. M, fraser (chairman), J. Andrews, F. .1. Hill, C, Andrews, S. .1. Campbell, I. Young, 0. Capper, (J. Young, A. H. Halcombe, and E. It. (lilmour. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. Dr. A. E. Walker, medical superintendent, reported that 88 patients had been admitted to the hospital during July, 04 had been discharged, and 12 had died. There were now 1)1 remaining in hospital. Tho highest number for one day was 97, and the dally average was 90.03. There had boon 49 operations, Steady work in all departments had again been the rulo for July. Four cases of diphtheria were admitted, and one of scarlet fever. Two of the former, and ono of tho latter remain under treatment. ACTING MATRON'S REPORT. The acting matron (Miss A. Handen), reported that Nurses Evans, fircatbalch, Corldll, and Smart, had returned to duly after holiday leave, and Misses Iludson and Smith after holiday and sick leave. Sister ratchell severed her connection with the hospital on July 31. Nurses Winfleld and Taylor had completed their term of probation, and were now on the permanent staff. Miss Ona Ennlss had commenced her term of probation. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. Mr. A. H. Kendall (Inspector), reported that during the month 20 eases of Infectious disease had been ndtt/led as follows: One case of tuberculosis, four of scarlet fever, seven of diphtheria, two of influenza, and ono of letliargis encephalitis In the borough of New Plymouth, two of tuberculosis, and six of Influenza hi the borough of Waltara, and |hrco cases of Influenza at liiglewood. Several cases of influenza continue to he notified at place 9 widely apart in the district. BANGIATEA HOME. Mrs. Boyly, matron at the Ranglatea Home, reported that everything had been progressing very' favorably. Tho discipline had been excellent, and supplies very good. There had been throe admissions lo the home, and there were now remaining in the home, 30 males and six females. FARM MANAGER'S REPORT. Mr. W. C. Nohlo (farm manager), reported that everything waß progressing favorably at tlie farm. The milk returns amounted to 13,928 lbs, and there had been abundance for all requirements. He had sent to the hospital 5T dozen eggs, 15 fat fowls, and.bad sold 7 fat pigs. Tho winter feed was just going to see them out, and he was very pleased to see a llttlo sunshine, as tho winter had been very trying. THE NURSES' HOME. Messrs. Messenger and Griffiths reported on matters In connection with the erection of the new nurses' home. HOUSE STEWARD'S REPORT. Mr. C. E. B. Penn, dispenser and house steward, reported on various matters of detail in connection with the hospital. Owing to the shortage of coal and labor conditions, he suggested that DO tons of coal be ordered Immediately,, as he estimated the present stock to last for about two months. A RADICAL PROPOSAL, The Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board forwarded the following resolutions: "That in view of the most disquieting information in Its possession regarding the great Increase recently In tho number of case 3 of syphilis in this Dominion, and regarding as we do with tho liveliest concern and apprehension the increased menace thereby created to the welfare not only to the community of to-day, but of generations unborn, this meeting would strong urge the Minister of Health to Issue a public note of warning to all parents, Impressing on them. In the strongest terms possible, their moral duties to their own families in particular, and to the State in general, not to sanction the marriage of their sons or daughters unless both the contracting parties possess doctor's certificates that they are freo from any Inherited or transmissable disease. Further, the Board confidently hopes that the warning will be merely the forerunner of legislation during the next session of Parliament making It compulsory for contracting parties in a marriage to produce health certificates beforo a license be issued to them. Also, that all cases of venereal disease be lnado compulsorily notifiable. The chairman stated that such a large question should be considered with due care It had never been proposed before, and he doubted whether they would be justified in discussing this matter before tho Press. It might, of course, be time that the disease was widespread In New Zealand, but he had made enquiries, and as far as this district was concerned, they were practically freo of trouble. No doubt, bo said, they hud to look to the preservation of the race, and he took it hospital boards had something to say In this. He entirely agreed with the proposal, but in view of the fact that a conference was likely to be held at the end of September, he did not know whether it was necessary ;at the present time to go further than express sympathy with the resolution. It was a radical i movement, and deserved the careful consideration of thinking men. ' Mr G. Capper, in moving that the board support tho resolution, stated that ho knew of cases. Mr. S. J. Campbell considered it was a case for the Government to take acllon. Mr. J. Andrews, In seconding, remarked that the Hospital Board should give a lead. Mr. Geo. Vcung considered it was a step In the right direction. Miy observant person must realise what posterity had to suffer. The resolution was carried unanimously. ENLARGING SCOPE OF BOARD'S WORK, A circular letter was received from the Inspector Goneral of Hospital (Dr. T. A. Vallntlne), pointing out that In the past the energies of. Hospital Boards had In the main been confined to providing institutions for the accommodation and treatment of the sick. In the opinion of the Minister, the time had now come when the operations of Hospital Board could with advantage be extended outside, so to speak, the walls of their Institutions, and out-door medical services, established, so that Boards could make arrangements for the treatment of the sick in any part of the hospital district. Experience gained during the recent epidemic showed the nqcesslty for a clinical medical service throughout tho Dominion associated with the Public Health Department, on which the Boards and the Department could rely in case of emergency. It was well known that many of the patients admitted to hospitals and other Institutions were suffering from what were known as preventiblc disease and diseases or complaints 'which could have been prevented had tho patient received "timely warning" from a medical practitioner. It was estimated that the cost, considering the advantages to be derived therefrom, would not be great, The medical service would be free even in necessltious cases. For this new service tho Minister would be prepared to pay a £ for £ subsidy. Tho chairman said that this was a very big question, and no doubt it would be a groat boon to the public and people who refrained from calling in medical advice until too late might bo Induced to do so In time to save life, and thus confer a benefit on the community. In order to open up the question, he moved that while sympathising with tho proposal, yet In the absence of definite Information as to the responsibility that would fall on the Board, thoy could not at pr»sent support the proposal. He said that the Hoard would have to guard against peoplo who sent for the doctor on every occasion. Mr. Gllmour seconded. Mr. Halcombe said that tho letter would open the door to. the above, as people woulu be sonding for" the doctor from all parts of the district. • ' Mr. Young pointed out that the proposal would assist the backblocks. The resolution was carried. " ' .;-... GENERAL..., Dr. R. H. Makgill, acting Chief Health OfflcCT, notified ■ that v,;it hnd..-,-bi)»>. .suggefltfjl to the Department,,.|hat registered liiKses with considerable expeflcrico. 'ln th? operating room, shendd'-'be trained' to: administer.mndesthctics. It! was pointed;'; out. tha,t ; . a number of New Zealand, nurses...dnruig their.- military services 'Slirbad "undertook duties lis anaesthetists after careful 'training hi tile" clearing stations In France, and.the possibilty of using their sorrices in. the. smaller hospitals pf the Dominion' had been mentioned. In order to ascertain if there 'was any prospect of appointments, for such sister or nurso at hospitals where a. difficulty was frequently met with In obtaining the services of a medical nractitloner, the matter was brought bwore the Board's notice, t

The letter Is tD bo sent to the medlenl superintendent, asking for his opinion, »':J statins that tlio Board Is In sympathy with the proposal. Mr. fleo. Younß (Inulewond), notified that he hud forwarded a lot of hooks for the use of the inmates at the Otd People's Home. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr.' Oeo. Young, and also to Colonel Ellis, who also forwarded hooks. Mr C. Andrews suggested that they should advertise for hooks to be forwarded. Mr Ymniß stated that the hooks had heen forwarded by the IliKlowood. Borough Council, and would probubly only he the first Instalment of many. . It. was resolved to forward a resolution of thanks to the Inglewood Boroueli Council.

The Mayoress (Mrs. C H. Burgess), wrote that during the epidemic she had supplied the hospital with 50 suits of pyjamas, hilly couipped the ambulance three times, and had also irlven six'pairs of blankets for truti. She was noyf establishing and furnishing a Soldiers' Hostel Hid asked Ifr * grant of six petts of

blankets or more If they could be spared, as. It was impossible to buy blankets. Members were sympathetic towards the proposal, but It was pointed out that the Department had taken over all blankets, and the matter was I left In the hands of the House Committee, with | power to'act.

The Inspector General of Hospitals • notified that the Deportment was prepared tb lend 42 ambulance whloh it was procuring n» part of tho mobilisation equipment of the medical unit of the New Zealand Territorial Force. It wos resolved to apply for one of them. It was resolved to support the resolution from the Thames Hospital Board' regarding the purchaso of coal.