(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY) 

Two female patients in escape bid
(The Guyana Chronicle: January 1, 1976)
TWO female patients of the Observation Ward of the Georgetown Hospital escaped from the Ward early on New Years’ Day, and, after a lively chase, were held and taken back to the Hospital.
At about 6:30am, the two patients were seen squeezing through a  broken paling on the western side of the hospital compound and dashing towards  the public convenience  at the junction of Middle and Thomas Streets.
They were called upon to return to the hospital, but the two young women ran for more than a corner before they were captured and handed over to the hospital authorities.

1978 babies born at NA Hospital in ‘75
(The Daily Chronicle: January 14, 1976)
LAST year, 1978 babies were born at the New Amsterdam Hospital.
And this figure represents more than 284 more than 1974, when 1,694 babies were born.
Disclosing this, the hospital administrator, Rohit Persaud said that the infant mortality rate had dropped by some three per cent.
He also disclosed that in 1975, 10,563 persons were admitted at the New Amsterdam Hospital,  and in 1974, 8,932 were admitted.
In 1975, 376 persons had died at the institution as against 434 in 1974.
The Administrator congratulated the Hospital Improvement Association for doing a wonderful job in making the institution a better place for the patients, and wished the organization continued success.

Watch hemlines, nurses told
(The Daily Chronicle: January 13, 1976)
OFFICIALS of the Georgetown Hospital have called on nurses to watch the length of their uniforms.
It is reported that over the past few weeks, Administrative Sisters working in the Matron’s Office of the hospital have told a number of nurses that their uniforms are too short.
A hospital source said that every nurse was aware of the required length of their uniforms, which should be just a few inches above the knee.
They were told that they would not be allowed in the ward if their uniforms were too short.
A spokesperson for the nurses said that they have received their uniforms too short on a number of occasions from the sewing room, and were forced to wear them until they could be lengthened.
She said that no provision was made for the expectant nurse, and it was common knowledge that when a nurse was expecting, some of her legs would be exposed.

‘JAWS’: The Movie
(The Guyana Chronicle: January 1, 1976)
Going swimming? See ‘JAWS’ first. ‘JAWS’ the terrifying motion picture from the terrifying N0. I Bestseller. There has never been an adventure thriller quite as terrifying, yet as enjoyable as ‘JAWS’. Astor Cinema, among 700 theatres;  Guyana, among 45 other countries to play ‘JAWS’ for the holidays. Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss. For your fullest enjoyment , be sure to see ‘JAWS’ from the  beginning.

Infant rushed to hospital after ‘narrah’ treatment
(The Guyana Chronicle: January 4, 1976)
DOCTORS at the Georgetown Hospital were battling to save the life of a five-year-old girl admitted to the Hospital in a serious condition after receiving treatment for ‘narrah’ from a female ‘expert’.
It was reported that the child complained of feeling unwell, and was suffering from loss of appetite and vomiting.
She was taken to the female ‘narrah’ specialist by her father, who was also treated after complaining of similar symptoms.
While at the home of the ‘narrah’ expert, she was measured from navel to nipples, after which the ‘expert’ made the diagnosis.
The infant also received the common method for ‘narrah’ treatment — the anointment of the abdomen, flexing of the arms and legs, and finally the administering of hot milk.
The girl was taken home by her father, who was certain that the treatment for ‘narrah’ would have solved the child’s problem.
But hours after, the child’s condition worsened. She was again attacked by vomiting and looseness of the bowels and fever.
This time, the father lost confidence in the specialist and rushed the ailing child to the hospital.
There, it was discovered that the child was suffering from ‘bacillary dysentery’ caused by ‘shigalia’ (gastro).
An official source said that the myth of ‘narrah’ was dangerous  and should be disregarded, and that people should not allow themselves to be exploited by persons who profess to be experts at curing ‘narrah’.

Hopetown rounders club formed
(The Daily Chronicle: January 9, 1976)
A 26-MEMBER mixed rounders club was recently formed at Hopetown, West Coast Berbice.
Chairman of the Club is Carmen Joseph; Assistant Secretary Treasurer is Desiree Adams; while Assistant Secretary is Agnes Grant.
Committee members are: Europa Wilson, Sheila Parris, and Louisa Hyderkhan, and the Coach is Isaac Blair.
Recently, the Club sponsored a District competition involving the seven local authorities in the sub–region.
Hopetown emerged winners with three games, followed by Ithaca in second position.
Meanwhile, the Club is sponsoring a number of fundraising activities in an effort to raise funds for the purchase of gears and other equipment.

Library books recovered
(The Guyana Chronicle: January 9, 1976)
MORE than 200 library books, which were outstanding before December 1974, and a large number due in 1975 have been recovered by the National Library.
This followed the granting of library amnesty from October 1 to 31, 1976.

(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or by telephone: 657-2043)