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which he has entered into the work. By the judicious use of tact and firmness he has got patients who had never occupied themselves in any useful way before to become interested in some form of light employment, thus making their lot a happier one. I desire to place on record my appreciation of the valued assistance given by Miss E. Paterson, B.Sc., Dietitian, in drawing up a dietary scale for the imbecile boys at "El Nido " ; for the more liberal and varied diet has had most gratifying results, particularly on the very feeble children. I was pleased to find on my return to Nelson that the public continue to show a practical interest in the institution. There have been numerous concerts given to the patients at Nelson and Stoke during the year, and most generous donations were made to the Christmas-tree and amusement fund. I regret losing the services of Dr. Hunter, who has lately been transferred to Porirua, and I take the opportunity of thanking him for his loyal and able assistance, and the other officers and staff for the help they have given in carrying on the work of the institution. HOKITIKA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Buchanan reports : — I beg to report as under for the year ending 1925 : — At the beginning of the year there were, 236 patients on the register ; at the end of the year there remained 159 males and 62 females, making a total of 221. Admissions during the year amounted to 9. Of this number 2 were previously voluntary boarders. Discharges numbered 9, and deaths 15. Pour died from general diseases, 6 from diseases of the circulatory system, and 5 from old age. The general health of the patients has been good. Dr. Whitton took charge of the Hospital on the 27th May, 1925, and relinquished his post on the 28th January, 1926. I returned to the Superintendency on the 14th February, 1926. It will be recognized under the circumstances that it is impossible for me to furnish a comprehensive report. The outstanding works during 1925 have been the completion of " Te Maire," an up-to-date ward that houses 38 male patients, and the demolition of the old gaol portion of the Hospital. CHRISTCHURCH MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. McKillop reports: — ' I have the honour to forward my report of the year 1925. On the Ist January there were 822 patients on the register. During the year we had 152 admissions (74 males, 78 females) ; 72 patients were discharged, and 5 transferred to other institutions. The total number of committed cases under care was 974 (inclusive of 8 males and 17 females absent on probation), and 835 remained on the 31st December. Seventy voluntary boarders received treatment during the year, 33 being discharged recovered, several were committed as ordinary patients, and 22 remain for further treatment. Thirty-six patients were remanded for observation by the Magistrate, 19 were committed, 3 admitted as voluntary boarders, and 16 discharged uncertifiable. The general health of the patients has been satisfactory. There were 62 deaths, the principal causes being senile decay (16) and general paralysis (9). The work of upkeep and repair has continued to receive careful attention from the artisan staff, and among the important works which have been engaged in, in addition to the constant and daily work inevitable in any institution of this size, are the following: Construction of attendants' quarters ; lavatories for A and D Wards ; alterations .and additions to laundry ; painting of female corridors. A working squad of painters has been organized under an experienced attendant. All the airing-court fences, the exterior of North House and Annexe AVard have been renovated. Exceptionally good work has been done, and they will be kept fully occupied during the ensuing year. The farm and gardens continue to afford healthy occupation for a great number of patients. Much has been done in the way of development, both at Sunnyside and at Templeton. A new stable is urgently required, and the fences on both farms are in need of immediate attention. The overcrowding on the male side has been relieved to a certain extent by the completion of the Attendants' Home. The hospital ward at the female reception-house is in occupation in charge of a fully qualified nurse. lam pleased to note that a neuropathic hospital is shortly to be erected at Hornby. The erection of this institution will mark a decided advance in the treatment of nervous cases in this district. At the present time, chiefly for economical reasons, early cases of mental trouble are for the most part segregated in large institutions. This is a thoroughly bad system, as it means that the recoverable cases are to a very large extent mixed with the chronic incurables. The mere proximity of a maniacal or excited patient is a constant source of irritation to the exaggerated sensibilities of the sufferer from mental depression. The provision of an " out-patient clinic for nervous affections " at the General Hospital has given greatly increased facilities for the early treatment of nervous and mental disorders. I have to place on record the keen interest taken by the staff in the course of lectures, and the desire to qualify themselves further by obtaining the certificate which entitles them to a place on the Register of Mental Nurses. It is pleasing to state that twenty-three members of the staff passed the Senior Examination in December last. To Mr. Acland, District Inspector, to the Official Visitors (Mrs. Williams and Mr. Hanna), to Mr. Souter, Patients' Friend, I tender my sincere thanks for their regular visits, and to their attention to our inmates. I have also # to thank the clergy of different denominations for their services. I desire to record my thanks to the Medical Officers for their valuable help, to Mr. Thomas and office staff, the Matron, Head Attendants, and other heads of departments for their loyal and efficient assistance, and the staff as a whole for the satisfactory manner in which its work has been performed.

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