Annual Report of the Medical Officer

Of the Otago Benevolent Institution

For The Year 1872.

I have much satisfaction in being able to report that during the past year the health of the inmates of the Benevolent Institution has been, on the whole, good.

Amongst so large a number of very young children and of old people, it is a source of congratulation to say that no death has occurred in the twelvemonths now completed. There can be no doubt but that this excellent state of tilings is mainly attributable to the scrupulous observance of cleanliness and ventilation, and in this respect, as well as in their attention to the sick, the Master and Matron are deserving of all praise. There have, however, been several cases of illness—some of them severe—many of the old men suffer from some form or other of senile ailments. All the children, and many of the adults have been thoroughly vaccinated in four places, and this whether there had been previous vaccination or not. The epidemic of whooping-cough that has been so prevalent in town, has so far, not visited the Institution. I fear, however, that our good fortune in this respect has ended, as one case has made its appearance.

Many of the outdoor recipients of the Charity have been invalids, and whenever necessary, have received medical assistance.