85

1T.—31

Ornamental Grounds. —These have been kept in good order. A daily average of 12 patients have been employed assisting the gardening staff in constant attention to the grounds, bowling-green, paths, and patients' kitchen garden. From the latter the additional supply of 2,769 lb. of potatoes and 484 lb. of onions was provided. Bed Cross Society.—Red Cross workers have again contributed in large measure to the comfort of patients throughout the year by weekly visits of the various committees, bringing gifts in kind and various home-made delicacies. This practical interest amongst Red Cross workers is not confined to local committees only, but prevails throughout Hawke's Bay from Napier and Hastings to Dannevirke. The Red Cross Society has not only not forgotten the thirty odd ex-soldiers still being treated annually, but is also steadily maintaining its peace-time work on behalf of the stream of civilian patients who come from all parts of the North Island and even from the South. Among the larger contributions made by the Red Cross Society to the welfare of patients must be mentioned the vocational-training classes in leather and raffia work under Miss Shaw, and in cabinetmaking under Mr. W. Condie. The society has also for years past contributed half the cost of moving-picture programmes given twice weekly. The society is deserving of every commendation for the valuable work it j>erforms. Canteen, &c. —The canteen continues to show an annual profit over the year's working, and the accrued profit now stands at £70. From this fund from time to time extra benefits for all patients are provided, such as library-upkeep, games, requisites, &c. This year an additional part of vocational training by way of a class in book-keeping for patients has been financed from the canteen fund. The canteen has been very ably conducted by the Storekeeper, Mr. Trollope. I would like, in conclusion, to record full appreciation of loyal support given me by the staff as a whole in the work of this institution.

APPENDIX. SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS. PART I. —RESEARCH INTO STILL-BIRTHS AND NEO-NATAL DEATHS. By Dr. C. M. Hector, Medical Research Officer. Work on this research has been continued on the same lines as in the preceding year with the addition of a more extensive statistical inquiry. During the preceding year post-mortem examinations were carried out on the bodies of thirty-one infants received from various parts of New Zealand, and during the year just completed this number has been brought up to seventy-five. These bodies were submitted to a complete post-mortem examination, and parts of the principal organs were preserved for histological examination. In addition complete records were kept of the weights of the principal organs and the ratio of these to the body weight. It is hoped that these records may throw some light on the development and importance of the endocrine glands. Post-mortem examinations are undoubtedly of value, and should be carried out systematically wherever possible. They deal with material which in the past has been almost entirely neglected, and in fact there appears to be no standard work on the normal histology of the new-born infant. Much of the material —e.g., that from macerated bodies and from bodies sent from a distance— is not in the best condition for histological examination. This suggests the desirability of having, at each large maternity centre, facilities for making immediate post-mortem examinations and for preserving tissues for further examination. It may also be noted that, even in cases where the material is not suitable for histological examination, post-mortem examination may reveal gross lesions of great significance which, in the absence of such examination, might never have been suspected. In August, 1929, it was decided to extend the statistical inquiry, as it was realized that the cases submitted to post-mortem examination represented but a small proportion of the total stillbirths and neo-natal deaths which occur in New Zealand every year. Accordingly, a questionnaire was drawn up to be sent to all maternity institutions which showed still-births or neo-natal deaths in their monthly maternity returns. Up to the present time 517 of these forms have been sent out. Replies have been received from 365 (i.e., 71 per cent.), and further replies are still coming in. An analysis of the first three hundred of these replies is appended to this report. The response to this inquiry has been very gratifying, and the information given, though incomplete in some respects, is full of interest and value. I have to express my thanks to the members of the Health Department, to the members of the profession, and to the Matrons of maternity institutions, who have all so willingly assisted me in this inquiry.