WESTPORT DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 531, 17 July 1869, Page 2

WESTPORT DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

MEDICAL OFFICER'S EEPOET

I have to report the institution as beiug greatly increased in efficiency since its management was undertaken by the Committee. Next to the erection and occupation of the present hospital, the improvement is duo to the engagement of a cook and assistant wardsrnan, by which the hospital attendant is free to fulfil his proper duties, and to carry out the instructions of the medical officer, as well as of the Visiting Committee. Several useful appliances have also been introduced, to the benefit and comfort of the patients. The present plan of having the whole building (with the exception of the necessary offices) thrown into one large ward, though, upon the whole, the best for the majority of patients, as ic ensures a much more efficient ventilation than the system of division into smaller apartments, is occasionally found very inconvenient, and it is desirable that a separate ward should be added to the building as soon as practicable, for a single restless or delirious patient causes all his wardmates to suffer with him.

The subject of the addition of a female ward having been mooted, I wish to place it upon record that during twelve months' hospital and private practice in the district, I have seen hut two female patients who were fit subjects for hospital relief and treatment, and one of these was admitted, (the other being able to proceed to the Provincial Hospital at Nelson). In connection with this possible proposal I would remind the Committee and subscribers generally that the cost of constructing and maintaining such an addition would almost equal that of the present section of the hospital. It is very desirable that the Hospital Reserve should be fenced in, both for the sake of discipline and as giving healthy occupation to certain patients in gardening, &c. Moreover, I believe the practical economy would repay the cost.

No epidemic affecting adults has marked the past year, and the majority of cases treated in the hospital consist of those diseases and injuries to which residents on the West Coast are especially exposed, either by climatic conditions or by the nature of their occupation such as rheumatism, fever, dysentery, mining accidents, &c. To the late dry summer I attribute a considerably less number of cases from the terraces and other inland diggings than might have been expected, seeing that early in December the number of in-patients reached fourteen, with every prospect of an increase. On the setting in of the dry weather the number diminished, and has not since exceeded the average, viz., eight. Many of the cases admitted have been of an unusually severe and protracted character, which will account for the somewhat high average period during which each patient remained under treatment.

The dietary scale in the hospitals at home and elsewhere has, on the West Coast, to be supplemented by many extras, which materially increase the maintenance expenses.

"With reference to the latter, I feel it my duty to call the attention of the Committee to the very small number of cases in which the maintenance charge, or any proportion of it, has been paid by patients having means to do so. Recommendations are frequently brought to me, the recommender stating that the applicant is able, and promises, to pay all or part. Such promises are rarely fulfilled. I would suggest that in such cases a weekly payment should be required in your Hospital, as it is elsewhere. Moreover I cannot see why" emergency cases," which are admitted without any recommendation or stipulation, should be, as heretofore, entirely exempt from payment (the patient's circumstances permitting it.) The numerical statement of cases is as follows :—Number of cases remaining in hospital July 15, 186S, 5 ; inpatients admitted from that date to June 30, 1869, 93 : total, 9S. Of which were—Cured, 58 ; relieved, 12 j made out-patients, 9; discharged at own request, 2; improper cases, 4; deaths, 7 ; remaining in hospital, 6. CLASSIFICATION OP CASES.

Zymotic Diseases. Paludal (marsh) fever, 5 ; carbuncle and boil, 5 ; dysentery, 5; ophthalmia, 4; orchitis, 3 ; stricture of urethra, 1. Constitutional Diseases.—Rheumatism, 13; podagra (gout), 3; phthisis, 2 ; osteoid cancer, 2. Local Diseases. Diseases of nervous system, 3; bronchitis, 2; pneumonia, 1; inflammation of gullet, 1; dyspepsia, 3 ; colic, 3 ; inflammaof liver (in each case suppurative), 3 ; jaundice, 2; caries, 1; exostosis, 1; muscular atrophy, 1; urticaria, 1; herpes zoster, 1 ; ulcers, 3. Burns and scalds, 3 ; dislocations, 2 ; sprains, 3 ; fractures, 9 ; contusions, 7 ; concussion of brain (with. compliincised wounds, 2; lacerated wounds, 1. The majority of the cases classed as " relieved," " made out-patients," and "at own request," should, strictly speaking, be included under the head of " cured." Of the seven cases in which a fatal termination occurred, death resulted in one from laceration of the spinnl cord, one from extensive burns, with inflammation of the bowels, five from disease of lite liver. In three of*the latter cases the fatal disease was due to excess ve and pro'ouged intemperance. Wilb regard to out-patients and casuals, about sixty cases have been attended under this head. lam unable to classify them, as, having regarded my attendance in most of them as a matter of private charity, I have consequently kept no complete record. S. TitoitPE, M.E.C.S. Lorn, L.S.A., Medical Officer to tho Vestport District Hospital.