Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-03

disease could be treated which came under my
care, have kept this year an accurate record of
the number of cases which, in my opinion, were
suitable for a hospital, that might in my an
nual report submit definite statement of the
present necessities for city hospital. The
number amounts to forty. regret that it did
not occur to me at the beginning of the year to
ask all of the medical profession to keep such
record, consequently am unable 10 arrive only
approximately to the whole number of hospital
cases which occurred in the city during the past
year. But in answer the inquiries which have
made of many of the physicians as to the num-
Der of such cases as have come under their OBJ
servations during the past twelve months,
think we can safely estimate that the number
attended by other physicians will amount 70 17j
cases. Adding the forty cases under my care it
makes a total of 2l5 cares, which would give Il
weekly average of a fraction over four patients.
Allowing that the average duration of each case
would be three weeks, we should have constant
ly in the hospital from twelve to fifteen patients.
Such, gentlemen, is the record OF the past year,
and shows the present necessities for hospital,
When we consider the character of these cases
and the adverse circumstances under which
many OF them are obliged to be treated, | think
the sentiment will be unanimous that some pro-
vision should be Immediately made for place
easily accessible, where those unfortunate ones
can be taken and properly cared for. Humani-
ty and the good name of the city require it.
Scarcely week passes but am called upon TO
attend SoIe severe case of accident or sickness
at the police station. Many of these are stran.
gers, and having no home are brought to the sta
ton for want of any other place. There we are
obliged to provide for them with no facilities
but for temporary treatment. Some of these
have been kept five days before they could be re-
moved, and Others have died there.
Similar cases are constantly occurring outside
of the police station which require the services
of the city physician. These, in many in
stances, are in miserable tenementS, with no
provisions for food, nursing or warmth. Such
cases must be taken care of where they are
found, or sent to the hospital at the city farm,
or at the state almshouse at MonsOn.
OF late, few have been received into the
Sisters of Charity hospital Of this city; and one
or two have been sent to the Massachusetts
general hospital. The laws expressly state that
all state paupers who are too sick to be moved
to Monson, must be provided for by the city.
Now the danger and discomfort to the patients
are scarcely any greater in removing them to
MonSon in the cars, than to our almshOuse,
which is over three miles distant. 1t is fact that
a large percentage of the severe cases have TO be
provided for by the city where they are first
seen. Besides this class of patients which came
under my care as city physician, there is still 4
larger class which comes under the care of every
physician. Our city Isl one great workshop, in
which are employed yOnng men and women,
many OF whom have no homes and are living
in crowded boarding houses. If they are taken
sick or become injured, it is almost impossible
for them to obtain that care which they require,
consequently many die who might have been
saved, could they have been sent 10 Il good hos
pital.
To my mind the above facts are sufficient to
convince every one that the time has arrived
when there should be a city hospital. / would
respectfully submit the following plan for your
consideration 1t is not necessary TO commence
hospital on large scale. A building large
enough to accommodate twenty persons will be
all that is needed. Let the city lease a house
centrally located, for a few years, and put a
suitable man and wife in charge. Let it be fur
nlshed, not extensively, but comfortably and
conveniently. The expenses of such an institu-
ton would be for rent, furnishing, fuel and
light, for man and wife in charge, medicines,
and perhaps one or two nurses, which would
depend upon the number Of patients
Probably the best of medical attendance
would be obtained gratis The income
OF such an institution, and which would dimin-
ish the expenses to the city, would be-firSt,
from state paupers The entire cost of prOvd-
ing for those state pauperS who are too sick to
be be moved to Monson is, in many cases, rem-
hnrsed TO tho city by the state, and in all of
these cases part of the cost; second, from
those having a settlement in the towns of the
state, aud assisted by the city. In nearly every
instance the whole expenses of such cases are
paid by the town where the patient has a settle
ment; third, from those taken sick in the board
ing houses. These, in the majority of cases,
would be not only able but willing to pay
reasonable weekly board. Perhaps the
railroad corporations whose roads center
in or pass through the city, would be
willing to contribute certain amount
for the privilege of sending to this hospital
those in their employ who should become
injured, or for whom they usually provide.
And lastly, this being charitable institution, |
cannot but feel that the people generally would
contribute literally towards its support.
1t seems to me, therefore, that a hospital like
the one above recommended can now be estab-
lished, which, under proper management, will be
creditable to the humane sentiment OF the city
and which will not involve large expense.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
ALBERT WooD, City Physician.
Adjourned for one week.