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H.—3la

Dispensaries. The Chairman stated that the establishment of dispensaries was a matter which very considerably affected the practising members of the profession. Such dispensaries had been started in Christchurch and Dunedin, and one was about to be started here in Wellington. In Christchurch the management of the dispensary was practically in the hands of Dr. Blackmore, the Medical Superintendent of the Christchurch Sanatorium; and the management of the Dunedin dispensary was in the hands of Dr. Lyth, but the latter was assisted in his work by members of the honorary staff of the Dunedin Hospital. It was generally agreed that it would be advisable, where possible, to obtain the services of the honorary staffs of the hospitals in this movement. Dr. McLean asked whether the resident in charge of a sanatorium was to have charge of the dispensary. This was answered in the affirmative, and Dr. Lyth pointed out that it was desirable to have one man responsible in a hospital district for tuberculosis. Dr. Blackmore stated that it was not intended that the dispensary should take any paying patient from a medical practitioner; it was intended for those patients who could not afford treatment, and to try and catch the early cases. Dr. McLean did not think the establishment of dispensaries could affect the interests of the medical profession from a purely financial point of view; it might even save the profession a lot of trouble. He thought any possible source of friction with the profession could easily be avoided by proper arrangements. The Chairman did not think there was any need for the Conference to pass a resolution in connection with this matter; he took it that the Conference was to have the co-operation of the medical profession, and that every possible assistance would be given by the profession in the campaign which it was proposed to initiate. In connection with the question of dispensaries, Dr. Lyth pointed out the disadvantages of the country districts in this respect, and asked whether something could not be done in the matter. The Chairman agreed that arrangements might possibly be made whereby either the Bacteriologists attached to the different hospitals or the Medical Superintendents of the sanatoria could visit certain townships, taking an outfit with them, and giving demonstrations, &c. Dr. Frengley suggested that some name be given to these institutions other than tuberculosis dispensaries, which, in his opinion, seemed to once again put consumptive patients into a marked class. After further discussion it was resolved, That it be a recommendation to Hospital Boards that they erect and equip tuberculosis dispensaries for the special treatment of chest-diseases; that the staff should consist of a medical officer and one or more nurses, according to the size of the district; and that the tuberculosis officer should be associated with the dispensary where such an officer has been appointed. The equipment of the dispensaries to consist, in addition to the ordinary furniture, o.f a microscope and weighing-machine, and means of examining sputum and urine. It was agreed that the Hospital Boards should be asked to provide sputum-flasks free to those patients who could not afford them, and the possibility of providing special tents was discussed, arrangements to be made with local firms to supply them at a fixed cost. Farm Colonies. The Chairman thought the Conference was agreed as to the advisability of establishing farm colonies, but not as to where they should be erected, and he asked for an expression of opinion in this regard. Dr. Blackmore was of opinion that one farm colony for each Island would be the best arrangement, and after- some discussion the Conference agreed to the following resolution : That it be a recommendation to establish two farm colonies if possible —one for the North and one for the South Island. During further discussion of the subject, however, the fact was emphasized that, with but one exception (Christchurch), there was sufficient land available in connection with all the existing sanatoria to run small farm colonies without buying additional land. Dr. Frengley therefore proposed the following, to be substituted for the previous resolution : That the fullest use be made of the ground surrounding the sanatoria at Palmerston South, Otaki, and at the proposed Auckland site for farm-colony purposes, and that in Christchurch an attempt be made to acquire land adjacent to the sanatorium for this purpose. Seconded by Dr. Makgill. Carried. The Chairman stated that the onus of filtering cases for farm-colony treatment should rest entirely with Medical Superintendents of sanatoria. He agreed with Dr. Frengley that the institutions should be erected by the Boards. The Hospital Boards were asking for special assistance in this matter, and he thought such assistance might be granted on certain conditions : (1) That the farm colony is controlled by the Hospital Board in whose district it is established; (2) that the Medical Superintendents of the four sanatoria shall be the sole judges as to the eligibility of the patients that are to be treated therein. As to the class of work that should be done in these institutions, Dr Makgill held that tree-planting was the best way in which this class of patient could be utilized. He advocated the Taupo district as eminently suited for this purpose. Dr. Blackmore pointed out that the farm colony was simply an extension of the sanatorium; it was intended to complete the treatment begun and carried on in the sanatorium. He considered it essential that it should be made clear that patients were not sent to these institutions for the purpose of exploiting their labour; farm colonies must not be looked upon as places out of which money was going to be made, but as places where patients might be sent to fit themselves for work in the world again. Hβ advocated fruitgrowing and the teaching of other small industries, such as bee and poultry keeping.