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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1953-05-06, Page 11WinOliatn General &Offal —Photos Courtesy London Free '1 Tess. aotiA afigrf • Ashfield Twp. 28 37 57 57 51 77 4 Belgrave 48 51 49 39 39 51 3 Bluevale 14 33 26 18 19 22 1 Blyth 49 39 9 28 10 19 1 Brussels 26 28 38 39 35 39 2 Carrick Twp. 7 11 6 6 3 10 Ye Culross TWP, 50 63 85 62 92 94 5 Colborne and Goderich 15 • 5 6 8 28 16 1 East Wawanosh Twp. 85 108 132 110 156 123 7 Gorrie 14 28 29 32 19 20 1 Grey Twp, 14 13 30 26 37 42 2 Greenock Twp. 8 11 8 6 5 11 1 Howick Twp. 37 70 81 90 82 86 5 Hullett Twp, 25 3 8 5 8 5 '4 Huron Twp. 10 10 19 11 12 12 % Kinloss Twp. 38 99 102 104 99 103 6 Lucknow 98 103 103 107 102 113 61/2 Morris Twp. 38 06 107 94 102 104 6 Other Counties 24 38 43 27 35 37 2 Teeswater 74 60 78 73 98 92 5 Turnberry Twp. 112 114 122 158 179 154 81/2 West Wawanosh Twp. 36 54 58 71 85 81 41/2 Wroxeter 26 50 33 32 39 38 2 Town of Wingham 324 407 473e 399 388 454 25 Total Admissions 1200 1501 1702 1600 1723 1805 100 Average Patient Daily 32 45.5 52.9 65,7 70 73.8 Admissions by Districts to Wingham General Hospital over Past Five Years Show Wide Use 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1952% First Hospital Activity Started Back in 1906 Original Hospital Building • Wingham General Hospital is biesa- ed with better equipment than most hospitals of a comparable size, and perhaps its most outstanding feature is the surgery department. Due to the hospital facilities most Major and min- or surgery can be done within' the confines of its walls, The generosity of the John Cornyn Currie Estate through Mr. W. A. Galbraith, executor, has made avail- Ladies AuNiiiary Raised $13,329 By Rummage Sales Ever since its organization in 1906, the Ladies' Auxiliary has formed a very integral part of Wingham Gen- eral Hospital. The Charter held a broad purpose, "To assist the, hospital in every way possible," To this end the Auxiliary made itself responsible for inside furnishings for the hospi- tal, such as bedding, curtains, dishes, .nursery supplies, patients' gowns, eta It also assists with social events In connection with the hospital. As the size and scope of the hospital has in- creased, the Auxiliary has kept pace, working to fill all these' needs. When the first X-Ray machine was pur- chased by the hospital board, the Aux- iliary made a substantial donation. Through the years, many money- making schemes were employed, ail of which have been discarded in favor 'of the marathon bridge parties and the rummage sales. For these rum- mage sales the Auxiliary has becoMe so famous that crowds come from long distances to see and buy. The first rummage sale was held in the Coun- cil Chamber in October 1936 and brought receipts of $100,00. In 1944 they outgrew the Council Chamber and moved to the Armouries, and in 1945 it was found necessary to have two sales, spring and fall. Citizens Generous The citizens of Wingham and dis- trict and the business people of the town have been most generous in their donations to these sales. From the beginning until now, the rummage sales have brought the total of $13,328 into the Auxiliary treasury. An inovation this year will be a tag day in, connection with the rummage sale. This will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, in towns of the surrounding area, and on Saturday, May 9th, in Wingham. For more than 25 years the owner of the Lyceum Theatre in Wingham has given tickets for "Hospital Night". These have been sold by the Auxiliary and the proceeds kept. This gesture of good will has been much appreciated. Through the generosity of the Wing- ham Ministerial Association the col- lections from the Week of Prayer and Holy Week have been given' to the Auxiliary, Fourteen Sewing Groups Another task Which the Auxiliary members took over in Its organization is the sewing and mending, This work has now reached such proportions that a cutting committee and four- teen organized sewing groups are re- quired to keep up with the needs. Each group meets once every month at the hospital where cutting tables and electric machines are provided. In this way the shelves are kept well stocked with new supplies and all the mending is completed each week. When the nurses' residence was ready for occupation, curtains and bedding were supplied for it. The Auxiliary meets in the the Council Chamber on the first Friday sof each month and the membership fee is 50e. For this year there are 113^ paid up members. Many women of the town have served long and faithfully for the interest of the hospi- tal and new members are always wel- come. Officers for 1953 The following are the officers for 1953: Honorary president, Mrs. J. W. McKibben; past president, Mrs, Mur- ray Johnson; president, Mrs. George R. Scott; let vice pres., Mrs. R. E. McKinney; 2nd vice pres,, Mrs, A. W. Irwin; 3rd vice pres., Mrs. Peter Fish, er; recording secretary, Mrs. C. H. Hincle; corresponding sec., Mrs. W. J. Greer; treasurer, Mr's, W, ,Adams; buying comet.,Mrs. R. R. Ilobden, Mr's. V. R. Howson; marathan bridge emit., Infra W. H. French, Mrs. W. A, 1VreKibbon; social eornm., Mrs, R. E. Armitage, Mrs. Gordon Buchanan; convener bf sewing, Mrs. Ft. E. MeKins rice; convener Of cutting, Mrs. A. Peebles; auditer, Iletvaed Sherbondy.1 able a large amount of equipment of special surgical types, and with the recent donation from the Atkinson Foundation, patients are sure of the best surgical care and the meet mod- ern equipment. A good deal of the minor surgery is done in the outpatient department, where emergenciep .such as accidents are cared for, Patients whose injuries are not severe enough to ,warrant hospitalization are treated here and allowed to go home without actual ad- mission to hospital. Most patients here are treated for small wounds, fractures and other minor cases, and the outpatient department is also used foethe removal of dressings and casts and for some X-rays, All types of X-rays, including the more complicated and special organs which require certain dyes or barium, may be administered in the hospital. Regular X-ray clinics are conducted twice a month. All X-rays are Teed and a written report of the X-ray els returned to the hospital, one to be filed with the plates and the other to be returned to the doctor. Minor X-rays of chests are taken on all patients admitted to hospital and on outpatients, if they have not received an X-ray within three months. Chest clinics are, conducted on the third Monday of each month under the supervision of the Huron County Health Unit. The .laboratory of the hospital is equipped to do routine urine exam- inations, and is particularly useful for diabetics, Blood may be examined re- quiring microscope and special instru- ments, or may be taken and sent to a provincial laboratory for other tests. Blood may be typed for the giving of blood from unknown donors, but in general the hospital uses its own walking blood donor service, where some 200 men have been typed and the blood grouped. A file has been made of each of these donors which is a great saver of time and in many in- stances may mean a saving of life. Certain tests such as basal metabo- lism test for thyroid function, which formerly had to go to the larger centres, are now classified at the lab- oratory. Ultra violet therapy and in- fra ray lamps are being used for skin, deep muscle and bone ailments. The hospital is also epuipped with special electrical machines for keeping the stomach washed and emptied, which are very necessary in the pre and post operative care of a patient re- quiring surgery on the stomach or bowel. Since the recent addition of the new maternity wing mothers can feel confident that the hospital is able to cope with every and all types of ma- ternity problems which might arise. This has been facilitated through the donations of equipment from organi- zations,' and private individuals. One of the most recent donations is from the Atkinson Foundation and consists of a modern table, lights and sterile water tanks. The services of a hospital are not measured in equipment alone, The ex- cellent work of the Ladies' Auxiliary, for instance, is an expression of com- munity spirit concentrated on the welfare of the hospital and patients. Diet, housekeeping, maintenance, new drugs office, aiding the patient to make out proper insurance forms, re- laying messages from a loved one, giv- ing young women the opportunity to enter the nursing profession—all these are part of the hospital's services which cannot be measured, in dollars and cents. To each and everyone in any way interested in hospital work, the only reward has to be in the self 'satisfa- ction of doing each in his own way, something to relieve the suffering of his fellow man. LIFE IN RESIDENCE IS DESCRIBED BY STUDENT By L. Batte Can you imagine livieg with fifty or more young girls? It is an exper- ience I will never forgot. Each bearing the others joys and sorrows, hopes and disappointments. Each room is softly painted in Pastel shades, bright matching drapes and spreads with friendly modern furniture, and to complete each room is your lovable roommate. Here in the evening, there is always gay talking and laughing, someone waiting anx- iously for her date or that important phone call. Then there is another chatting seriously with her best pal, studying class notes or just deep in thought. The room at the front of the resi- dence with the big bay window and bright drapes is our reception room where friends or guests are greeted and made welcome. The walls are done in a quiet green and the floor is cushioned with a huge rug. The furniture is most attractive and the lamps, in various shapes and sizes, make this room most inviting. A large recreation room done in white with gay drapes, lounging chairs, sofas and a beautiful radio phonograph make this room very cheerful. Here many happy hours are spent in relaxation. A large, convenient, modern laundry room completes the basement. Living in a residence, to me, has been both an education and develop- ment. Our kind, thoughtful house mother and superintendent are always ready to untangle our troubles or give comforting advice. PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE SET UP TO PLAN, PUBLICIZE The Wingham Hospital Public Re- lations Committee was elected at the annual meeting of the Wingham Gen- eral Hospital on January lath, 1953. This board was Co take in Wingham and the surrounding territory and the following men were elected to it: Mayor D. Miller, Rev. H. Parker, W. T. Cruickshank, E. Armitage, N. McPhail, all of Wingham; C. R. Coul- tes, Belgrave; G. Radford, Blyth; C. Thompson, Lucknow; K. Hueston, of Gorrie; A. Worrell, 'Teeswater; H. Gaunt, W. Wawanosh; J. Willits, Turnberry; W. Elston, Morris; W. Todd, Brussels. A meeting was held on February 17, 1953, at which Mayer D. Miller was elected chairman and M. McPhail secretary. At this meeting it was ex- plained by the chairman that the pur- pose of this committee was to organ- ize, the promotion and planning of a new chronic wing for the Wingham General Hospital. A second meeting was held March 20th, at which charts prepared by Mr. Parker and Mrs. Morrey were given to all members showing the percent- age of patients from the town of Wingham and surrounding districts for the year 1952. Also at this meet- ing the publicity committee was set up under the chairmanship of Rev. Parker, the committee to consist of D. Miller and M. McPhail, A third meeting was held with the press and radio on April 16. The pur- pose of this meeting was to acquaint them with our plans for publicity on Hospital Day. This publicity included window displays and a poster contest open to the public schools in the dis- trict. DAY SET TO HONOR "LADY WITH LAMP" BY Grace Simpson Florence Nightingale began her life in 1820 at Florence, Italy. The follow- ing year she returned with her family to England and as a child, Miss Night- ingale was a copious letter writer, In April, 1839, Florence Nightin- gale began her training at the Kaies- erwerth Institution which lasted for nine years. During this time mathe- matics was the subject which required a great deal of studying to her as it meant she would gain a greater know- ledge of nursing. In 1854, Miss Nightingale went to London to nurse and then to the Crimean War and was appointed to go to Scutari, Turkey, to look after the sick in a barrack hospital where food was scarce, and an overcrowding of soldiers with lack of sanitation made the hospitals overrun with rats. She described the hospitals as places of filth and dirt, wretchedness, degrad- ation and squalor. Here she had a very hard life to lead as conditions at that time were very poor but Miss Night- ingale never repented or looked back, as she was one of the beet nurses that had ever existed. In June 1856, her difficulties reached a climax. Lord Paninure told Miss Nightingale, "The period is now fast Florence Nightingale also establish- ed a training school for nurses, en- dowed with the proceeds of the Night- ingale Fund. In 1865 the scope of the Barrack and Hospital Commission was further enlarged and its name changed to the Army Sanitary Committee. Florenc, Nightingale worked her way through with the Report of the Sanitary Com- mission until at last she had secured a sanitary department in India which improved the barrack and hospital conditions. It was not until 1906 that she' be- came quite blind and her memory failed. in February 1910, she no longer spoke and death came on August 13th, 1910, at the age of 03 years, A young lady applying for an ap- plication to train as a ward aide must submit in writing her reasons why she would like to train. She must have at least two years' high school edu- cation and enclose two references from persons other than relatives that have known her for a length of time; then if the applicant is accepted she is sent a list of instructions and the time which she is to be expected to report at the nurses' residence. Mrs. Fuller, our house mother, makes her welcome and she is assigned to her room. This may be a single or she may be required to room with another student, the latter is preferred. This institutional life teaches the girl co- operation and consideration for others. The student is allowed to acquaint herself with the hospital and her sur- roundings for one week in which time she learns the routine of the hospital, helps with the housekeeping on the wards, changes water on flowers and helps to feed patients assigned to her by the charge nurse. Lectures are given once a week and this year the anatomy and obstetrics will be by our doctors. Ethics, practical demonstra- tions and follow-up anatomy and die- tetics are given by the superintendent and supervised by the assistant super- intendent and charge nurses. Some of the regulations required of a student during her year of training are as follows: She must conduct her- self in a lady-like Manner at all times. She must be in residence by 10.30 p.m. and in bed by 11.00 p.m. She is allowed one late leave to 1.30 a.m. or an overnight pass Once a week. She will keep her room and person clean and tidy and observe the rules of living in residence. She will report any illness to the superirt- tendent at once. Following five months Of lectures Away back in 1.906 a group of pub- lic spirited citizens, Dr. R. C. Red- mond is the only one still living, de- cided to purchase the Webster house for the purpose of establishing a Hos- pital in this community. The next year, 1907, the hospital became a fact. Whether they hoped for any return on their investment, we do not know, but it is a certainty they did not re- ceive one penny of dividends. In a very short time they were so interest- ed in the public service that they had created, that the question of money was forgotten and Wingham General Hospital was operated by them and their successors for the benefit of the community, but as a private hospital. This method of operation had one defect, While people often leave money to a public hospital, they do not usu- ally leave anything to a private insti- tution. There were no bequests what- ever during this time and the institu- tion was compelled to sink or swim on whatever revenue it could secure from the patients augmented by small grants from the County of Huron and the Town of Wingham. In the year 1937 after a particularly trying financial period, the hospital was turned over to public operation and placed in the hands of a board, six of whom are elected by the Hos- pital Association, three represent re- spectively, the District Medical Asso- ciation, the County of Huron, and the Wingham Town Council. an examination is written and must be passed in order to receive a cap. This is called the probation period and at this time if the student does not apply herself to nursing and is unable to obtain a certain percentage in her marks based on ability, con- duct, proficiency and the test, she will be 'allowed to discontinue her training, A full year is required to complete her course at the completion of which she tries a final examination and re- ceives a certificate, She then is allow- ed to wear a white uniform, and if suitable she will be kept on the staff of this hospital. 1951 1,723 724 • 671 2,279 279 fig 60 25,169 60 61 48 Itbe Wittgbarn 2Ibbantt. Wingham, Ontario, WeellisdaYi Kay • 6th, 1993 Hospital Faa li fe es Have Expanded With Growth lVfUNICIPALITY Nurses' Residence, Wingham General Hospital —PhotoS Courtesy London Free Press. approaching when your generous and disinterested favours will cease," and by the end of June the hospitals were all empty. Standards High in On July 16th, 1856, the last patient left the barrack hospital and her task to England. She spent night and day Nures' T On July 28th, after the war she went s raining was ended, building up a commission to try and improve the hospitals and barracks, At the same time Florence Nightin- gale wrote an enormous volume of notes on matters affecting health, efficiency and hospital administration of the British army. Miss Nightingale, who had worked as an invalid for a number of years, made her retirement in 1857. THE LAST TWO YEARS AT WINGIIA.111 GENERAL HOSPITAL 1052 Admitted to Hospital 1,05 Outpatients 783 Operations 735 X-rays 2,363 Births 265 Deaths ... 74 Blood Transfusions 42 Total Hospital pays 26,523 Average Daily .PatiehtS 75 High Census 102 Low Census • . 57 Rated Hospital Capacity 48