Thames Goldfield Hospital.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3492, 4 March 1880, Page 2

Thames Goldfield Hospital.

The monthly meeting was held yesterday afternoon. Present—-Mr MeCullough (President). Revs, Laishley, Neill, and

Beilly, Messrs Renshaw, Murray, McGowan, Frater, and Mennie. Apologies were received from Rev. V. Lush and Messrs Mulligan and Ehrenfried.

BUSG-EON's REPOHT. The Surgeon's report was read as follows :— j- "Sir,-—I have the honor to report, for the information of the Committee, that on the 31st January there remained in your hospital 11 patients ; that during the past month, from the list to the 29th February, nine patients have been admitted, while eight have been discharged. Two patients died during the past month—one of lung disease and the other of cancer. On the 29th February there were remaining in your hospital 17 patients, the daily average of sick treated in your hospital being 17; the number of outpatients treated were 153. During the past month we have had, perhaps, the the worst accident yet admitted within the waHs of the hospital, and which has certainly rendered necessary an operation unique of its kind on the Thames. I refer to amputation in the upper fourth of the thigh, said to be one of the most fatal known to surgery. The patient is, I am happy to say, progressing most favourably. Mortification of the stump having set in with severity, and fearing at once the terrible fatality that would follow should the air and walls of a ward (especially set apart for surgical cases) become impregnated with putrescent or morbific matter, and also the possiblity of there being a fresh case at any.moment, I had the boy removed to another ward, where he is alone, and after consulting with one or two members of the Com-.j Ukittee, had the accident ward thoroughly washed out, lime- washed and painted. If Ldid not wait to formally consult with the House Committee, the urgency of the case must plead my excuse. Before closing this portion of my report, I think it but fair to mention the assiduity with, which IJr Huxtable, Hon. Surgeon, has assisted me in this case, he having accompanied me to the Hospital as often as three times a day, and twice daily for many days together. I would suggest that the other wards in the Hospftal be renovated one at a time. I have omitted to state that a man has been retained to watch at night by the bed of young Wsddel, the lad above referred to, in this case also I spoke to some members of the committee, the lad would not have been alive now had not the most constant and unremitting care been employed. Kirk, an inmate of the Old Men's Home attended to him by day. I think there is a lesson in this last accident, that no matter how rare an operation may be there is no knowing how soon or how suddenly We may be called upon to do it. Now amputation at the hip joint is an exceedingly fare as well as an exceedingly fatal operation, yet we were very nearly being compelled to perform it in the other, and that without the proper appliances. I refer to a species of tourniquet employed to control the circulation in the abdomen technically called " Liston's Aorta Compressor" which we have not, and should hare been obliged to fall back on digital compression — a risky procedure at the best of times. At the same time, we might never during the next twenty^ years require to use one, but should such a case occur, the absence of the instrument would practically deprivo the patient of his last chance of life. I have received a communication from your Secretary requesting me to furnish the names of the 112 patients treated last month, and in reply have the honor to furnish the list made up and kept by Mr .Aiiken.—l have., &6., Mabtin If. Payne. --On4he,mQtipu of Mr.Renshaw the .re-, port was adopted, the question of procuring the surgical instrument mentioned by the doctor to be left to the House Committee. tbeasubeb's bepobt. The Treasurer's report showed the balance in the bank to be £38 2s 4d, and cash iv- hand £10 Is 7d, besides which there was a Government subsidy due of .£9714s Id. The liabilities were—salaries £63 18s 6d, and general accounts £84 3s Id; total £157 Is 7d, or £5 3a 7d more than the assets. Received and adopted upon the motion of Mr Rensbaw, seconded by ,Mr Murray. DBAINAGE. The House Committee presented no report, but Mr Renshaw, in reference to the drainage, brought up by Mr Lush at the last meeting, said the Committee did not think they ought to carry the drainage into the public streets, but that they should have a pit dug in the Hospital grounds at a short distance from the building, and should carry the drainage into that. The matter was referred back to the House Committee that they might consult with the Surgeon in the matter. HOSPITAL SUNDAY.. The Secretary stated that he hud received replies from.only two churches in reference to the Hospital Sunday, one from the Baptist Church agreeing to the suggestion, and one from Sti George's stating that a resolution of the congregation prohibited any collections being made in the church for such purposes. Mr Renshaw moved that a'letter be sent to the Vestry regretting the decision and asking for a reconsideration. Carried.' ■ '.'■.' " /'■';,.;:..■■.";.. ; ■

The Secretary was instructed to call for tenders for firewood.