H.—7.

HOKITIKA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dk. Childs reports : — At the commencement of the year the patients on the register numbered 452. The admissions proper were 23, while 54 males and 60 females were received on transfer. The discharges numbered 12, transfers to other institutions 24, and deaths 21. The total number under treatment was 589, and the number remaining on the register at the end of the year 532. There were 8 voluntary boarders on the register at the beginning of the year, 8 were admitted during the year, and 10 discharged. The general health of the patients has been very satisfactory. Cardiazol treatment was carried out on a small number of patients, but as the majority had been in hospital for a considerable period the results, although in most cases beneficial, were on the whole somewhat disappointing. Two modern villas, one male and one female, were erected and occupied during the year, the patients admitted being transfers from Seacliff. This has allowed of better classification, and in consequence more individual freedom, and already some benefit may be seen. A small nursery glasshouse in conjunction with a new flower-garden was completed during the year in order to increase the supply of flowers for the wards, while a number of trees and shrubs have been planted around the estate. The usual routine of farming, draining, and gardening has been carried out, 7 acres of land being drained, cleared, and left fallow, while 7 acres left fallow last year were sown in grass. In addition, the farm gangs have been busy making roads to and around the new villas. The gardening gang has taken in extra ground. The painting gang has been fully occupied during the year, and the usual maintenance work carried out. This is steadily increasing as the institution grows in size. A monthly clinic has been held at Greymouth. Westland Hospital has been visited when required, while it is noticed that the tendency is gradually increasing to come direct to the hospital for advice.

CHRISTCHURCH MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. McKillop reports : — On the Ist January, 1939, there were 1,385 patients (778 males, 607 females) on the register. During the year 238 patients (119 males, 119 females) were admitted and 28 patients were transferred from other institutions. Discharges totalled 142 (68 males, 74 females), and there were 1,651 persons under care during the year. In addition, 79 voluntary boarders (38 males, 41 females) were admitted. Twenty-eight male and 36 female voluntary boarders were discharged, 7.1 remaining for further treatment. In all, 141 voluntary boarders received treatment during 1939. The total death-rate was very low : there were 73 deaths (32 males, 41 females), the chief cause of death being senile decay. The results of the cardiazol treatment, carried out for the first time in this hospital, may be considered quite satisfactory. Eight cases received treatment. One appears to have made a complete recovery, while six have shown improvement varying from slight improvement to such a degree that the relatives consider that they are back to normal. One case showed no change. One case has been discharged as " recovered," one as " relieved," two are on probation, and the others remain here. Since 1927 the Wassermann reaction has been done on the case of every person admitted since that date. Ninety-four males out of 1,352, and 12 females out of 1,100, gave a positive reaction. Figures for males only

The results are very interesting: the peak years 1928 to 1931, and the very low figures during the past few years, show the incidence of the disease in the war period and the efficacy of the treatment carried out in recent years of causal factor. Many Vorks of major importance have been completed. At Templeton most up-to-date laundry machinery has been installed and is now in operation. This has greatly relieved the congestion in the Sunnyside laundry.

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i j I Year. ' Negative. Positive. Year. j Negative. Positive. I I _J 1927 .. .. 88 81 7 1934 .. .. 115 109 3 1928 .. .. 94 86 12 1935 .. .. 110 105 5 1929 .. .. 112 96 16 1936 .. .. 83 78 5 1930 .. .. 136 125 11 1937 .. .. 96 95 1 1931 .. .. 139 125 14 1938 .. .. 94 91 3 1932 .. .. 104 96 8 1939 .. .. 91 88 3 1933 .. .. 94 88 6