Following on from our post of 28th November we have the second entry from the Matron’s Medical Report Book with an additional 4 patients being admitted and reports on the progress of all the 9 patients currently in the sanatorium.
May 9th 1908
“Four new patients have come during the last month.
7. Henry James Robinson, aged 14 ½; Address 50 Warwick St, Gateshead. Admitted April 11th
8. Dorothy Tuff, aged 11; Address 181, Butler Rd, Benwell. Admitted April 20th
9. Dora Patterson, aged 16 ½; Address 10, Saltwood Place, Bensham. Admitted May 2nd
10. John Joseph Mills, aged 11 ½; Address, 50 Mansfield St, Newcastle. Admitted May 2nd
The total number is only 9 owing to the fact that one boy, John Nicolson, developed appendicitis on May 2nd. He was removed by Dr Allison to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, the next morning & operated on within 2 hrs of his arrival there.
The general condition of the patients continues to improve though the gain in weight in most cases is not so striking satisfactory as during the first month. The average gain in weight per week per person is .95 lb.
No patients have fever now. Five of the nine patients cough up no phlegm. Of the remaining four the sputum has been examined for tubercle bacilli in 3 cases & in 2 of these (Maggie Smith & James Robson) they were found to be present in small numbers.
The local condition is satisfactory in all patients though there is no obvious improvement in the case of J. Robson & H. Robinson & also of the latest two arrivals.
We are feeling the need of encouraging the children to do some work. One boy (J. Kenney) is now looking after some hens that live on the field; & more light work of this kind would be much appreciated by the children & would help to improve their moral tone.
Also it is becoming increasingly desirable that the boys should be kept more separate from the girls by occupying wards on a different floor. This would mean that another nurse would be most valuable as we find it impossible to leave the children for five minutes without regretting it.”
HOSP/STAN/11/1/51
Not a comment but an enquiry. My aunt, Doris Mash, died of TB in Stannington in 1944 or 45. She was a Londoner, presumably sent up North for safety as well as treatment. Any information will be gratefully received.
Hi Mike
Unfortunately I can’t answer that online as the records are all confidential, you’ll have to contact the archive directly on collections@woodhorn.org.uk to have the research done.
All the best
Stannington Project
Hi do belive through family history research that a relation of mine worked at the Sanatorium her name was Margaret Atkin, her son Robert worked on the farm the family later lived at Tramwell Woods.