FEMALE PATIENTS AND THE HOSPITAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 210, 22 May 1866, Page 2

FEMALE PATIENTS AND THE HOSPITAL.

(to the editor or tub wjkst coast times. ) Sir,— The p.s. Bruce yesterday brought, amongst her passengers, a female from Okarita, who had been conveyed there on a stretcher from the Five Mile, south of Okarita. She was in a very debilitated state, and delirious. Her husband, being desirous to get her admitted into the hospital at Hokilika, on arrival of the Bruce at this far-famed town endowed with an institution called an hospital, applied to have his wife admitted, aud was informed she could not be received ; at the same time the husband not being in a position to pay for a medical man to attend her. I would ask, Mr Editor, the causo of the non-admittance. Is there, no female ward? If not, why is it? Should not a ward be provided lor females, who are as liable to sickness as ourselves? Should such be the case I trust you will bring the matter before the public, that a portion of such a valuable institution should bo immediately set apart for that purpose, and a matron appointed. Your intorest on behalf of sick females, amongst and at a distance from us, is earnestly requested. I am, &c, G. P. H. G. + „ .

TO THE EDITOB OF THE WEST COAST TIMES. Sir,-— Surely you will exert the powerful means in your hands, to arrest attention to the urgent necessity for procuring a female ward to tho Hospital. We are too well acquainted with womens' devotion to account for their appearance in places remote from any assistance from medical men, oft times so necessary for thoir preservation. It is only in isolated cases, such as the one I will draw your attention to, that our warmeut sympathies are enlisted ; but believe me, Mr Editor, in cases such as the present one— and for aught I know to the contrary, many such cases daily occur in the remote districts of the goldfields—and were you to witness the carefulness and attention of stout, able-bodied miners, to women in sickness, you would naturally turn, and say " God bless them for their -tenderness," so foreign to their mode of life. Mr Editor, tho Bruce brought a poor woman, quite out of her mind, from Okarita to Hokitika. She was carried by miners from the Five Mile Beach. She is the wife of a respectable storekeeper; though a poor man, he has spared no expense to restore her to health : but failing in doing so, resolved to bring her to llokitika, and endeavor to gain admission to the Hospital. The Bruce arrived on Sunday last. The poor husband soon learnt that Dr. llyley lived at the Hospital, on tho South Spit, and he then waited upon Mr Sale, requesting an order for admission to the .Hospital. Mr Sale then informed him that he could afford him no assistance, there being no female ward ; but if the husband liked, ho might take his wife to the deserted building, known as the late Hospital, and he would havo to attend her himself and pay for oycry requirement. Mr Editor, surely the wives of some of our leading clergymen of the various denominations, assisted by the wives of our bankers and merchants, will at once tako steps to assist their poor unfortunate sisters who, from unforeseen circumstances, arc compelled to toil in places destitute of every requirement of civilisation. I may add, also, that the poor woman, who now lies in such a desperate condition, has a large family of young children. Iv hopes theso lines will effect some good, believe me, Sir, Yours, &c, S. L. M.