S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2021, 18 March 1890, Page 2

S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

ihs monthly meeting of (he South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Friday. Present—alessrs John Jackson (chairman), Quinn, Barker, Moore, McLaren, Ross, and Dr Hogg.

Ihe chairman stated that immediately alter last meeting they had made application to the Government for the usual subsidy, and the receipt of it wiped off the overdraft, and left them with a good ciedit balance. The accounts that day amounted to £305, and after paying them they would close the year with a fair credit-balance. During the month several children had been sent out to Geraldine and placed with families. His Honor Mr Justice Denniston had dismissed the appeal case brought by the oaid, the result being a slight financial oss. J. Daly had paid tiio amount claimed Hom him into court.

Ihe secretary was directed to write to contractor for rations at Fairlie Greek, ve alleged overcharges. Several cases of charitable aid were dealt wi Ji. One recipient asked that his rations be sent to hijn as he was unable to come in for them, and lie asked further that mare than 5d per day be allowed him, ns such a late was killing him by degrees. Iso action was taken. A case of an aged couple at the Washdyke was mentioned by the chairman, and it was agreed to provide for them ; action to be taken by the caairman and the secretary. Another case was mentioned of a rather dangerous inmate in the barracks. It appears that whon certain fits were on her, she not only laid violent hands on herself, but on other people, ft was agreed that such patient was hardly fit to be left among children, and the chairman was requested to consult bergeant Major Mason on the subject. On the recommendation of the resident surgeon, the salary of one of the under nurses was raised to the same sum as lhat given to her companion, £3C per annum. Drs Hogg and Reid wore appointed visiting surgeons for tin; year.

Mr Moore reported verbally on a visit of the sub-committee to the barracks. They had made a iniaulo inspection of the buildings, and whether a favorable reply or not was received to their application to the Government certain things would certainly have to be done. In the women’s ward they recommended that the windows should be repaired ; that the on I or door not used should be locked up altogether ; than an iron bedstead be provided, and that for tho present one easy chair bo got. In tho men’s room tho

windows needed repairing, and certain j cupboards provided. In the children's 1 room, the old portion of the barracks, they recommended that all the partitions be removed, and that the room be simply divided into two, this arrangement being far bettor for the children. Other repairs ware needed. A quantity of bedding would have to bo got.—lt was agreed that Mrs Sabiston should remain in charge of the barracks for the present. Accounts amounting to £305 la Id were passed for payment. A letter was read from Dr Maclntyre stilting that Mrs Egan, the patient over whom such a fuss hud been made lattely, had not been suffering from pue peral lever, but “from a local affection—pelvic inflammation and abscess.”—At the request of Mr Ross the secretary read the telegram to the Colonial Societary sent at the time tho patient came to Timaru, stating on the authority of Dr Maclntyre that the disease was puerperal fever. Members arid tha“ th >y und-rstood that Dr Maclntyre stated this to be the case when discussing the matter at last meeting.—The letter was received.

On the suggestion of Mr McLaren a list of “ defaulters” with particulars attached up to (Me >a to be laid before each board meeting.

Mr Marchnut’s report on drainage and ventilation of the hospital then came up for discussion.—ln the course of tho discussion which followed members expressed the opinion that the necessary alterations -vouid cost £309, and it was decided that tho report be held over till next board day ; that Mr Marchant be requested to be in attendance, and that a sum be placed on the estimates to meet the intended expenditure on ventilation.

The chairman, Dr liogg, and Mr Ross were appointed a committee to examine and prepare estimates for tho ensuing year.

Mr Barker then brought on hia motion, which shortly put was that the treatment of puerperal septicaemia cases be conditionally undertaken ; that part of the fever ward be specially fitted up ; that arrangeuents be made for tire services of medical students for such cases ; that a nurse be specially trained for them, and that the medical men of the district bo invited to co-operate with the board on the matter.

Mr Quinn seconded the motion pro forma.

Mr Barker said he wished to say very little on the matter, but as it had been freely said at last meeting that no such cases were ad mi I led to hospitals he would draw their attention to a case that had lately been admitted to the Melbourne Hospital, The patient, he gathered from the newspaper report, was suffering from peritonitis and blood-poisoning. The case had been operated on in the Melbourne Hosnital.

Dr Li aw sou ; No operation is required in puerperal septicaemia. Mr Birker: “Operation” is merely a term. An operation might be a trifle—the slightest thing done. For instance, Dr Roberts, in Irs letter last board day, said that he had performed an operation on the puerperal septicaemia pationt. The assertion had been made largely that no hospital took in such cases—that was why he hail brought Iho Melbourne case before the board.

Dr Lawson said that there was nothing to found an opinion to go on here. The ciao mentioned by Mr Barker might have been followed by cases of blood-poisoning. Dc Hogg also agreed that there was very little to go upon.

Mr McLaren said that they should be very careful, indeed, in doa'ing with this subject. Among ilia medical profession the rules in such cases strict, and f the board made special provision for them they would send in cases right and left, tie suggested each case as it arose should be gone carefully into, and if the board could see their way to do anything in the shape of attendance or comfort they should do so.

Dr Hogg, in reply to Mr Quinn, said that there never had been many similar cases to that of the late one.

Mr Boas, after referring to the cost of tiie Egan said that puerperal fever cases were on the same level as leprosy ciaes as regarded hospitals; they could not take them in. As the telegram from the Government said that the board must look after such cases, that they could not let a patient die, he would move further ; —“That the attention of Government b© called to the question of cases arising of pnerperol septicaemia, and where such are recommended for hospital treitment, and where there is only one resident surgeon in charge, and to the extreme danger arising from admitting such cases, neglect or refusal of any doctor in attending on such dangerous cases, it be now resolved : ‘ That this board recommends that cases of this nature should be attended to from Wellington, where Government can arrange for any locum tenens attending at any hospital to immediately proceed and care for any puerperal patient; and that such attendance should bo paid for by the local board requiring such assistance.’ ” That seemed to him the only way out of the difficulty. The chairman said that if any doctor got a case of puerperal fever he should see it through.

After a few more remarks by members Mr Barker said he had no wish to force his ideas on the board, and withdrew his motion, seconding Mr Ross’. Mr Ross’ amendment was then put and lost. The meeting then ternrnated.