The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-07-13
The Medical and Surgical Monopoly at the
Queens Hospital-No. 3.

In nv last article under the abo We title, | intimat.
ed that much more might be said and that it was
my intention at an early day to return to the sub
ject.
l now avail myself of the kind permission of the
ADVERTISER to present a few more facts and argu-
ments bearing on the question of hospital manage
ment, for the purpose of making still palmer if DOS
sible, the improperly and the unwisdom of the
system under which the Queens Hospital is at pres
ent conducted. l have already remarked that this
system is contrary to the custom prevailing else
where. On this point 1 think the facts and figures
presented in my last ought to be sufficient and con-
elusive to any candid mind. They might, if neces-
sary, be multiplied to any required extent. Before
leaving this branch of the subject 1 would simply ask
if it would not be the part of wisdom to respect the
example of older and larger communities, whose
practice in this regard is the result of the accumu-
lated experience of generations and has the sanction
and approval of the most eminent men in the profess
sion. l know of nothing which could justify a con-
tinuance of the present arrangement, unless it were
the impossibility of finding more than one medical
man, competent and willing to undertake the duties
of Hospital Physician, and such an excuse can hard
ly avail in the present instance, in face of the we'll
known fact that there are a number of physicians
49, NN OH1 "AAlAbR u ohAAOuS " chdAC IL
the opportunities for professional study and improve
ment of which DR.. McKibbin now enjoys the exclu-
sive benefit.
| have also claimed in n former communication,
that the giving the entire practice of the Hospital to
one man to the exclusion of other practitioners equal
ly competent, and equally respectable, was Injurious
to the popularity of the institution and detrimental
to its highest usefulness. This institution being de-
CipDaI 20 rroeo,vo A. 6ool1I IL -. Al. l.--
the Hawaiian people, every means consistent with
its efficient conduct should be used to increase its
popularity and commend it to the favor and conf
dence of the class for whom it is intended. This
desirable result, the present arrangement fails in a
great measure to accomplish.
However interested parties may seek to account
for it, the fact remains notorious and incontestible
that there is q very general and widespread preiu-
dice in the native mind against the Hospital and an
unwillingness to become inmates thereof. On this
point [ will quote from the report of the Board of
Health. (f which the present Hospital Physician is
himself a member) to the Legislature now in session.
sit would be a public benefit if the Assembly
would give the Board discretionary power to remove
to the Hospital cases of sick natives who are entirely
unattended. Very many deaths have occurred be-
cause, through ignorance and superstition, they
have positively refused to be removed from filth and
poverty to a house of cleanliness and plenty. < +
+ = OF the deaths which occur in Honolulu, some
sixty per cent. or sixty out of every one hundred
persons, die without having any medical assistance
whatever during their sickness"
The above figures, if l am not mistaken.
include the whole number of deaths occurring in
native and foreign. Now, if from those
laving medical attendance we deduct the foreigners
nd natives married to foreigners and their children.
will be found that at least two-thirds, and pro-
ably three-fourths Of all the natives dying in Homo.
llu die without any medical attendance whatever.
This is certainly Il very serious and alarming
OF affairs, and one which calls for most ear
and careful consideration. In view of the
above disclosed. two questions force them
upon cur attention First-Have all the .
Ieans and facilities been provided which might
nd ought to have been for preserving the health
I'D lives of the Hawaiian people ? And, second
ave the officials having these matters in charge +;
all the means in their power to inspire con- q
ience, overcome prejudice and commend the t
.nitary arrangements of the country to the C
,ople most in need of them ? Both these ques- :
L c~andidly think. must be answered in the !.
.gative. Concerning the first point-viz, the S.
lure of the Health Authorities to institute GER a
in needed sanitary measures-it is not my pur- Sc
'se here to speak but of the second matter a.
e.. the failure to commend existing medical insti- u
tions to the confidence and respect of the class
whom they are chiefly intended-the present
inagement of the Queens Hospital affords a -
liking example. The unpOpularity of the Hospi-
being Il fact admitted in the official report of
Board of Health, it may not be amiss to inquire 4
% the causes of this unpopularity. and whether =
nething cannot be done to remove it. The -
= - BOARD of Health n"tHFarv "s"-ihr- -
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