Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-03-17
BAYvEEW HOSPITAL. AGsrN-

When we alluded to the early opening Of
this institution, some days ago, and the ne
cessity Of proper medical organization con
nected Herewith, we confess we had not read
the last Report of the Trustees Of the Poor.
addressed to the Mayor and City Council Of
Baltimore. This Report, while FURNISHING
abundant evidence, in other respects, Of the
sagacity, sound Judgment, and energy Of the
present Board, shows, also, that the Medical
Department Of the Hospital had received no
small share Of attention at their hands. The
following paragraph indicates, to some extent,
a similarity of views between the Board and
ourselves, which we are gratiGed to notice.
The Board say:
I'm our opinion an able physician should be So
lected as resident physician. who should have gene
raj charge Of the several hospitals and the treatment
of the insane. The resident students should be IN
der his special supervision. In addition to the resi-
dent physician. applications might be received from
eminent physicians who have students in their Office
preparing themselves in the study of medicine, To-
visit with their classes the several hospitals, and.
necessary clinical lectures might be delivered at such
times as might be selected, said services to be siycn
to the Board gratuitousy by said visiting physicians.
Such changes we believe would work material GOOD
and advance the reputation of the Institution at
homo and abroad"
This is all admirable, as far as ii goes, and
no ore can hesitate to give the trustees credi,
for correct appreciation of the wants of the
institution in this regard. Unquestionably
there should be a resident physician, an cx-
perienced and slllful man, who should be
literally paid for his services, and have the
general medical supervision and direction Of
the hospital. We regret, however, we cannot
endorse the remaining suggestions in this part
of the report Applications might not be
presented by medical men having classes for
the privilege Of attending the hospital with
their schools, and should these be made by
any number of teachers, DESTROYS Of deliver
ing clinical lectures, the arrangement would
inevitably lead 10 much confusion,
The plan we propose is not only TO have 4
resident physician, who shall take the general
charge of the hospital, but also ii corps ol
consulting surgeons and physicians, one ol
another of whom shall attend daily, and de-
liver cliniQue upon such cases as are en-
braced within his particular speciality. Thus
the best talent and skill will be brought into
requisition for the benefit of the inmates Of
the charity. enlarged facilities afforded stu
dents of medicine for Improvement in their
profession, and indirect advantages flow ont
from the institution through The entire com
munity. This surgical and medical corps
should perform their duties free Of charge
and should have power 10 supply their own
vacancies, from time 10 time, by whatever
cause occasioncd. Moreover, they shouid
have the privilege, We think, Of nominating
to the Board of Trustees, candidates for the
position Of resident physician; first, because
they are supposed to be free from political and
sectarian bias, and chiefly because they are
Justly presumed 10 he the best judges of the
ability and skill Of their own craft
We have thus frankly stated our opinions,
for the present, intending to aIlude to the sub
ect at another time Already sound views
have been taken by thcprcsent board, and We
have great confidence that, under their wise
and iudicious management the Medical De
partment Of the Hospital may be developed
into system Of teaching which will reflect
credit upon the city, and materially enhance
the cause of science and humanity. Certainly
those who inaugurata the reform will have
nothing to regret, but will be honored during
life, and gratefully remembered long after they
have ceased to labor for the good Of others.