TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1921, Page 3

TARANAKI HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. / The r £&ra.Ra£i Hospital Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs. M. Fraser (chairman), J. Andrews, J. Sutherland, H. R. Cattley, S. Capper, S. Vickers, J. Young, M. O’Brien, A. H. Haleombe, and E. R. Gilmour. THE MEDICAL REPORT. The report of the medical superintendent (Dr. 'E. A. Walker) stated that the number of patients admitted in September was 121; the number discharged was 124, and 8 died, 106 patients remaining in hospital. 'Hie highest number for one day was 116, the daily average being 103.3. Eighty-seven operations -were performfed. With, a high daily average, September was a busy month in all departments. The number of operations is a record. The internal telephone system at the 'hospital is badly out of order, and there is now no communication between the isolation ward and the main building. This matter requires careful attention. The present system has never been very satisfactory. MATRON’S REPORT.

The matron (Miss B. A. Campbell) reported that the following went off duty: —On -holiday leave, Nurse Sheet, 7th inst; Miss Clarke, 12th inst. Returned to duty after holiday leave, Nurse Field, 6th inst. Sister Nilson severed her connection with the hospital on September 30. Nurse McCrae, having finished ‘her three mpnths’ term of probation, was now on the permanent staff. HOUSE MATTERS. The dispenser and house steward (Mr. C. F. B. Perrin) reported:—Thanks are due to Mr. Davies, of Dunean and Dav-, ies, for his advice and a gift of shrubs to improve the grounds in front of the hospital. During the improvements to the bank dn front of the hospital an open drain was discovered, and was found to lead from the kitchen yard. For some years offensive smell has come periodically from this quarter, and no doubt this drain is the cause, and requires immediate attention. The secretary of die board (Mr. E. Holden) reported that the drain referred to in the report had already been attended to. THE RANG I ATE A HOME. The matron of. the Rangiatea Home reported on the administration of the institution during the month. Disci-, pline was excellent, with the exception of ope case, which was dealt with. There. 1 was one death and one departure during the month, leaving a total of 37 inmates. DISTRICT NURSING. Nurse McFadgen (Opunake) reported that twelve eases had 'been attended to during the month, five of which were Maorjs. There was one case of measles (European), two cases of pneumonia (one a Maori), and two cases of scabies ! (Maoris). A number of Maori houses were visited and colds were found to be prevalent. THE FARM. The farm-manager (Mr. W. C. Noble) reported that for the month of September the dairy herd of 21 cows had produced 'T5 i .4451bs of milk. Six pigs had been sold at the stye and' twelve pigs had -been delivered to the bacon factory, to be cured for the hospital, the average weight 'being 1481bs. Reporting on his monthly visit to the farm, the chairman o-f the committee, Mr. J. Andrews, stated that on the 12th inst., when lie -went over 'the property, 21 cows were being milked. Other stock running on the property consisted of two dry cows, three heifers, one bull, four -calves and three, horses, in addition to a v number of pigs. Members would, therefore, see that the farm was fully stocked right up to the hilt, in fact to more than it could possibly carry under ordinary conditions. In order to keep up ufTe supply of milk the year round, the cows had to be abnormally fed. In his opinion they were over-fed, which rendered them more liable to disease. especially at'calving time. He believed it would be a much better policy to keep a. less number of cows on theplace, and so do away with so much expense in the purchase of fodder. At present eight acres were being saved for fodder, -but whether all this could be held would depend on the season. There was also about seven acres being sown 'down for ensilage. OPUNAKE HOSPITAL. The Director-General of Hospitals wrote with reference to the site of the Opunake cottage hospital, an<| stated that application had been made by the department for the vesting of. sections 5,6, 7, 8 and 9, block XL, town of Opunake, as a hospital ‘reserve. In speaking on the question of acquiring the sections, Mr. O’Brien said the extra piece of land which they were endeavoring to obtain was absolutely necessary, as after the building was up there would not be much room on the present site of one acre. The Opunake Hospital Association wrote acknowledging receipt of a communication from the board, stating that the tender,.of Mr. F. E. Cooper at £4472 had been accepted for the erection of the cottage hospital. The letter continued: “On behalf of the Nursing Association, we desire to tender you dur thanks and appreciation of your action, and to inform you that we will guarantee to provide the £6OO already promised, and at least an additional £B6, totalling £686, this, we understand, being the amount required.” Mr. O’Brien reported that the money referred to was' practically now in hand, the people of the district having taken up the matter earnestly. NOTIFIABLE DISEASES. A letter was received from Mr. S. G. j Smith, , M.P., acknowledging receipt of ! the board’s letter conveying their approval of a resolution passed by the | North Canterbury Hospital Board urging that an endeavor be made to have venereal disease included in the list of notifiable diseases. He stated that some objections had been raised by the resolution referred to and he was endeavoring to ascertain if §uch objections were valid. The board was assured by Mr. ■Smith that ho regarded this question as important, and one needing much greater attention than was at present being given to it. GENERAL. The purchase of a steam engine for use in connection with the laundry machinery at c. cost of £lOO was confirmed. It was decided to effect improvements to the septic tank system at the Rangiatea Home. Correspondence was read concerning ■ the forthcoming visit of the GovernorQcatnU to New Flynouto, and the :