The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-08
BY TELEGRAPH.
FROM AUGUSTA.
Hearing sn the lHaiue General Hospital
appropriations for Charitable Insti-
tnsions, Etc.

Especial to the Pressl
AUGUSTA, Feb. z.
The Finance Committee gave hearing on
the Maine General Hospital this afternoon.
There were present DR.. Hunt, Supt DR.. Dana,
Dr. Gilman. Messrs. Jose, Thomas and Put
nam, Trustees, and Mr. Fassett of Portland,
and Drs. Briekett and Bell of Augusta
Aon. J. ]. Perry was the first speaker. He
appeared to represent Portland parties who
think reform is needed. He severely criticised
the management No account has been kept
of how much had been spent on the building,
&c. The Hospital has been RAINING tn rec
years, and its expenses are constantly inoreas-
ing. When will it become self-supporting?
The more patients the more it costs. Why are
there no more patients? He reasoned that it
was on account of the cost. No patient goes
there without paying seven dollars a week.
The poor man has no chance. He must give
bond for five weeks board. There is suspicion
of bad management and people will not recon-
mend their friends to go there. The directors
should be poor men, not millonaires, who don't
sympathize with the poor men. He suggested
remodelling of the heating apparatus and
steward for superintendent. The salaries are
too high. 1t costs $4,000 to take care of eighteen
patients. He criticised the grocery, milk, med
icne, and other bills, and thought $4,000 year
might be saved.
Dr. Hunt replied and exhibited schedule of
the receipts and expenditures since the Hospi-
tai started The increased cost is on account of
free patients which have largely increased as
fIa fol hos
dred and seventy-fve tons of coal were used
last year. He explained how twenty-four per-
sons can take care of forty patients. 1t would
only require two nurses, one laundry and one
kitchen girl additional. No bills were paid
without the approval of the directors Proper
ventilation was problem which has tried all
builders and managers of hospitals many years.
Each patient requires $500 cubic feet of air
every hour. In dangerous diseases the air
must be changed every 20 minutes. The heat
ing and ventilation are perfect. The apparatus
cost $125OO
Hon. w. w. Thomas said that when he first
became connected withithe hospital he thought
the coal bill was high. He had investigate
it thoroughly and had decided that the building
cannot be properly ventilated for less sum
than at present
Mr.. Fassett said he made the plans after first
visiting many hospitals in Boston and New
York. He adopted the present system as the
best. 1t was submitted to the medical society
and approved. When these plans were made
he had plans of twenty European hospitals.
He never heard Of the offer to put in a heating
apparatus for $2500. He heard of PROPOSE
i'm IN hoaf with buf vuou1d not ofoo IN
t. Cannot heat and ventilate the Hospital
properly with less than 100 cubic feet of air
per hour.
DIR. Dana of Portland, said we cannot
take care of sick people as cheap as well
ones. To get at the cost per patient we
must compare with other hospitals of like
character. Others with larger number cost
$40 per week. This is lower than many. We
cannot substitute steward for superinten-
dent for the latterexercises important functions
He examines the patients as to fitness, and
examines the patients when the staff is not
there, and in urgent cases often advises. The
superintendent maintains stable and uni
form government. The nurses are under his
control. We must have man at the head OF
the Hospital, of character and capacity in or.
der to beget confidence. Good results must not
be sacrificed for 5000.
DR.. Brickett of Augusta said he was a friend
to the Hospital, but did not like the manage.
ment. No operations should be made without
the consent of the surgical staff Prejudice Is
increasing and confidence must be secured to
make it self supporting. He heard man had
leg cut off without his knowledge. Another
I,oII III h1oI e.
was there. Two physicians had previously
examined it and found none. A steward is
just as good as superintendent The expen-
ses must be cut down or the state will get tired.
He had sent three patients. They were treated
well. He thoneht 5000 cnnld- hs -saHsa---
DR.. Dana explained about the patient who
had his bladder opened. The operation was
not for stone but for chronic Inflammation. 1t
was performed because the man could not
live week without it and this would give
one more chance. The operation was approx
ed by the most eminent physicians. The med
ical staff were present and advised it.
DIR. Hunt explained about the patient who
had his leg cut off. 1t was very bad case Of
compound fracture. 1t was attempted to save
the limb, but the bone would not unite and it
was necessary to amputate to.save life. Other
surgeons were present and advised it. The
patient made no complaint or doubted the wis
dom of the operation. No difficult operation is
ever made without the consent of the medical
and surgical staff and on eminent advice. The
rules do not allow it. Two hundred operations
had bsen made since the Hospital started sue
cessfully as compared with the others. There
were fewer patients because of the attack by
the press combined with prejudice.
Dr.. Brickett expressed confidence in the
physicians and surgeons of the staff He was
glad the charges which damaged the Hospital
had been so well explained He was satisfied.
W. L. Putnam, Esq, spoke strongly in favor
of the Hospital 1t was noble institution, in
good hands, worthy the fostering care of the
state. 1t will become prosperous when the
benefits are known and appreciated Others
had started small and grown.
The hearing occupied three hours and there
was large attendance. A favorable impress
sion was created and the hospital was COM
pletely exonerated.
A resolve has been reported to the legislature
approprIating $4,000 for instruction, farm
improvements, &C., in the Agricultural Col
lcSc, ouu ~loUV lOr UuAiuluS WOThSuOps
The Committee on Military Affairs have
voted to report resolve giving $4,000 to the
Soldiers Orphans Home in Bath; $1,000 to the
Home in Bangor; $500 to the Female Orphan
Asylum at Portland, and 5000 for ST. Eliza
beth Orphan Asy lum at Portland.
The Judiciary Committee will report bill al
lowing Presumpscot Water Power Company to
build dam at the outlet Of Sebago Pond; act
fixing penalty on towns for Incorporating
free high school fands; act that works for
mining and smelling operations be taxed in
towns where located.
The Committee on Military Affairs and on
Interior Waters will report finally, to-mor-
row.
Col J. Manchester Haynes gave brilliant
and fashionable party at Granite Hall this
evening, which was largely attended.
RoDERICK
XLVth C0ngress-Regular Session.