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15
Arc Lamps were installed towards the end of the year and
children suffering from Marasmus and Rickets have apparently
been much benefitted by the "Sunlight treatment " given.
HOSPITALS
The Local General Hospital contains 50 beds.
It was originally established for the treatment of diseases of
children, but now serves all the purposes of a general hospital. It
is not subsidised by the Local Authority, except to the extent that
two beds are retained for typhoid patients at a fixed fee, with a
definite charge for those sent in by the Medical Officer of Health.
There is no Institutional provision for Maternity.
The Governors of the Hospital are putting forth great exertions
for the extension of the present buildings and probably in the near
future 40 more beds will be provided.
The work carried out meets with approval from the general
public and is of a character leaving little to desire as far as the
existing accommodation will permit.
Hopes are entertained that under the new conditions, closer
co-operation with the Municipal Authority and greater co-ordination
of all Medical and Surgical work within the District will eventuate.
The Fever Hospital—recognised accommodation 84 beds,
for Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria patients—-is situated without the
area, and provided ample accommodation for all the patients
needing removal from their homes.
At present we have no provision for the hospital treatment of
Small Pox Cases, and if the disease arose in the area the situation
would be an embarrassing one. The matter has occupied the
attention of the Council but no satisfactory solution of our difficulty
has been found.
In view of the number of cases of Small Pox occurring throughout
the Country for the past two years, the Council should make
some arrangement and be in a position to deal with any case that
might arise in this District.
The position would be a very serious one if for want of proper
isolation, the disease, once introduced, could spread indefinitely.
There is no institution in the district for unmarried mothers,
illegitimate infants or homeless children.