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Abstract of Myrtle Eileen DUMBLE, 2016

 Item — Box: 34
Identifier: H02630002

Scope and Contents

From the Record Group: Audio recorded on a Marantz 671 Digital Recorder with AKG table top microphone.

Dates

  • 2016

Conditions Governing Access

For access please contact the Southland Oral History Project Coordinator at sohp@ilibrary.co.nz.

Conditions Governing Use

The contents of Southland Oral History Project collections are subject to the conditions of the Copyright Act 1994. Please note that in accordance with agreements held with interviewees additional conditions regarding the reproduction [copying] and use of items in the Southland Oral History Project collections may apply. Please contact the Southland Oral History Project Coordinator for further information at sohp@ilibrary.co.nz.

Extent

From the Record Group: 1 folder(s)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Myrtle Eileen Dumble Interviewer: Janice Templeton

Abstracter: Courtney Ellison

TRACK 1

Introduction by interviewer (background to Riverton Hospital)

TRACK 2

00:00 Introduction and year born

00:48 How she ended up at hospital, grew up on farm but not needed, so at 17 looked for other work

02:08 Living in nurses home, a few days off once a month to go home

02:40 Training by matron, different uniforms for meals and work, and different seasons

03:45 Typical day: shifts, lectures by matron occasionally, learning on the job, always 2 staff on ward, matron checking beds, no showers

06:30 Spent a month on each ward, always put on women’s ward where it was heavier lifting. Operations done twice a week.

07:45 35 in old peoples home for men, approximately 20 beds in women’s ward, 4 special rooms for very unwell

08:58 Dr Fossie (sp?) was surgeon and Dr Gordon was anesthetist

09:30 When people died, laid them out, and washed them. Morgue on site

09:55 Living in nurses home, another cottage on site for household staff. Means in hospital

12:15 Days off, tried to sleep in but Matron would check rooms. Had to be home by 10pm. Went to dances, would catch a taxi to Tuatapere, hiding mops in bed so they could come home late.

TRACK 3

00:40 Story of car accident when out with boyfriend at the time

02:45 Travelled by bike

03:30 After work into normal clothes, walk to town, pick up mail. Had telephone connection

05:04 Paid 4 pound, 18 shillings per month at the start, increased to 7 pound 10 shillings per month at the end. Board and meals provided on top of this. Money didn’t go far.

06:15 Worked for 3 years and 9 months, left to get married

07:30 Never went to Invercargill for training, dispersed drugs / gave injections, treating abscess, don’t recall antibiotics. Became senior nurse after 2 years.

09:30 Story of removing clips from a ladies wound and not wanting it done.

11:03 Night duties in old peoples home, walking back in dark to eat breakfast. Some patients would disappear in the night

12:45 Story of dissentry in ward one night. Laundry done at hospital. Jockeys used to go in drying room to lose weight before races.

END

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository