MASTERTON HOSPITAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1422, 5 July 1883, Page 3

MASTERTON HOSPITAL.

The following is the report of the Inspector of Hospitals on the institution at Masterton:— The hospital is well situated on somewhat elevated ground, about half a milo from the town, Tlio soil is a loamy clay, and mb foimerly swampy, but lias been well drained. The estate (about three acres) ia fenced in with posts, and wire. In front is laid down in grass and planted

with shntba; behind are the drying ground nnd the kitchen garden. This is in admirable orrior and supj lies abundance of vogel'ibles, fiuit,'and'flowers tu the hosjital Water is obtained from a we'l by moans of» force lo which 120 feet of one and h halt inch hose cnu be iitted in case of lire The hoso is good and kept on a reel undor proper shelter. Two ladders are also in readiness for use. Bain water is caught in a tank nnd used in liio bath. A ceaspir, filled with boulders, is situated at some distance.from the hospital towards the smith east, and receives ibo drainage of the sink, lava'ory, bath, aud urinnl. This gradually soaks awav into tho bud. All refuse is burned nd used in ibo garden, with the soil from iliu closets. Tim building is of wood, with ii shingle roof. The whole is in good repair, hut badly requires painting externally. There are three wards, which are very clean and bright looking, and a good view is obtained from the windows as the patients lie in bed. Open lircplacos lor wood are providod, and the lighting is by kerosene-lamps. Sash-windows and openings in the ceilings give proper ventilation. Very neat iron bedsteads uro provided with straw palliasses, hair tnattraßses, and feather pillows. "White counterpanes are in ine, nnd these, with every other article, I found to bo most scrupulously clean. Thero is no largo stuck of bedding or linen, but quite sufficient for all practical purposes. One patient was lying un an excellent spring maltrnss. The ward furniture compiises washstands, reclining chairs, tables, Windsor chairs, brackets above the beds, commodes of simple construction, carpets, and green blinds in the windows A proper cupboard contained tho medicines and appliances, A lew hooks wero seen, but no papers or pictures, Thero is a very good lavatory, with four basins. Each patient lias his own towel. Abath room is provided, and thero is also a portable zinc bath. Hot water had to be obtninod from Iho laundry. The kitchen has no proper rango, but a colonial oven only. The room is neatly furmshod, and the crockery and utensils are good, The scullery is properly fitted, and contains tho meat safe. I examined the bread nnd otho;' stores, which are kept in a room for tho purpose, A bedroom iidjoiniug the kitchen is used by tho Steward and Matron, James Bulpitt and bis wifo. Their sitting room is now occupied as a bedroom by a young man who assists in nursing iroublesomo cases, and works in ibe grounds. A detached laundry conmins a copper and a good wnnglin? and mat g ling machine. Attached is a lean-to shed, intended for a mortuary, but unsuitable for this purpose, nnd used as a toolhousc, adjoining which is a stall for the Medical Officer's horse. Behind this building stand three dotached closets lor patients, and a urinal, The closets aro emptied overy week. Within the hospital building is a room intended for a dispensary. Medioines are, however, procured from a chemist in town, Thore is hero a stock of surgical instruments, worth .£SO to £7O. A small consulting-room, is used as a mortuary. A register of patients is kept by the Medical Officer, and there is also a diary, in which aie recorded the visits and recommendations of tho committee, with other matters, An inventory is well and leguhuiy kept. A member of ihe GVmimttee visits the hospital at least once a week, with great regularity, A Church of England Minister also attends weekly, but I litre ore seldom any other visitors than the friends and relatives of the patients, nnd a very few presents aro received, At iho time ol my visit thore we;eib:ee beds in tho m:\le division occupied, aud a female was expected in the afternoon Patients are admitted by an order from some member of the Oommitlee, subject lo the approval of the Medical Officer. Accidents iue provided for without any formality, No fixed dietary is in use, but the meals ate liberally provided and woll served. A good detached ward gives accommodation for two or I luce infectious cases, Nothing could exceed the good order and condition in which I found everything pertaining to this institution, and which reflects tho highest credit upon the Commitieo and tho Medical Officers. The Steward and Matron devote their whole time and energies to Iheir work, which they cany out with great ability. Of them the patieu's spoke to me very warmly, as regarding their kindness and attention. It is a matter to rogret that so little is done by tho town residents in the mutter of visiting tho hospital. I recommend that a kitchen rango with boiltr be procniod, and that the building bo painted externally.