The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-02-25
Remarks Of Mr.. Dana Of Portland,
I'm HOUSE of REPREsENTATIvE
Resolve in Favor of the Maine General
Hospital.

Resolve IN Favor OF the Maine General
Hospital.
Mr.. Speaker and gentlemen of the House Of
Representatives:
! 1t is hardly necessary for me to say the year
just past has been one of marked financial de-
press,on, requiring 10 the varied condition of
society the practice of the most rigid economy
| to meet the ordinary expenses or life; ccnse-
queutly an unusual number of applications
have been made to the Maine General HosLi-
tai for free BEDS FOrty-six applicants, with.
out means and residing in different part, of
State, have been received and treated on the
score of humanity
This kind of patients cannot be treated at
home, most Of them requiring some surgical
operation that they could not have but for the
superior professional advantages which a we'll
regulated hospital can always provide and they
would have remained at home great sufferers
and cripples for life if it were not for the free
beds the State provides by its annual appropri-
alton to tbis institution, and those pt rsous
would have become the unwilling subjects of
town or city support.
With the requisite means for their maiute-
nance, the hospital could be filed with this
class of unfortunate patients have referred to,
and in large majority OF the cases they would
bs saved from becoming paupers to our cities
and towns.
Many of you are familiar with its workings
and know of the good 1t has done and is doing
by receiving patients from all parts of the
State and giving its medical and surgical at
tendance free to all who may come. To pa
tients who are able TO pay, board only is
charged.
The hospital has not yet been running long
enough to have obtained the entire support of
of the people of this Stat' Could the citizens
of our State witness the great amount OF good
which the Maine Gedera Hospital has done
and is constantly dong, their sympathies would
be secured and 10 auifested by large donations
for its support Until period comparatively
recent. many Of the diseases and operations
were deemed incurable, which are now treated
successfully.
The hospital has taken from the railroads,
the streets and byways of oar State. many
man who could not possibly b ave had the prop
er treatment at home, after meeting with an
accident, and has had degree of comfort and
care, aud been given back 10 health to his fam.
lily and society ut the small expense of one dol
lar day for his board 20 charge whatever for
medical attendance; and if he was too poor to
pay this small sum. he was treated all the
same without pay, as long as the hospital had
dollar.
The age demands, the wants of the common
people demand this appropriation little losg-
er. The treatment Of patients 10 hospitals has
shown larger per cent. of recovery than in the
homes OF the common people. This cheering
fact is established beyond a d0uot by series
of experiments instituted from boiler motives
or recorded in the annals of science. A few
men in our State are justly entitled to a con.
spicuous station among the banefact0rs of their
race, and can mention nODe mire entitled to
the honor than DR.. John T.. Gilman, President
of The board If directors, the visiting physicians
and surgeons of the Maine Geseral Hospital,
whom l have Known for many years. They
have exploded many of the old theories of prac-
tice in h0spu ais, and have discovered that skill
mildness aud self devotion to the welfare of
THAR tina THAR
restoration. Their labors have been hallowed
BY the spirit of humanity that inspired them.
Reviving health aud restoring happiness has
bsen their only reward
Many man will advise friend to go to the
hospital for treatment, who will doubt aud hes
itate 10 the case of one of his own family. He
is not abe to account for the misgivings he
feels. but they are in truth he result OF early
prejudice. aAd this early prejudice is always to
be dIstrusted. Another reason ls that the pet
ty scandal that has from time TO time been cir
culat-d IN regard to all hospitals, has doubt
had lis effect on the Maine General Hospital
aud it does not receive the support of paying
patients that it should, or as it will In Gime at
ter the prejudice has worn away and the peo-
pie know more of it's bepefits. There ia cause
which more than all others at this time pre-
vents people from awaiting themselves of the
benefits of the Maine General Hospital--that
is, want of means.
Although the services of the medical and
surgical staff are free to all who may go there,
yet the fund and contributions are not yet suffi-
Gent to pay the hoard and other expenses nee
essary to the proper conducting of an Inst tu-
ton of this character, to only limited number.
The day ia not far distant when this hospital,
like the Insane Hospital in this city, will be
sef-sustaining. Il needs our care but little
longer
This hospital is Intended for all classes; not
specially for the rich, nor entirely for the poor,
but is open to all needing such services as it is
Its object to give.
Every institution 70 a charitable nature
must have large requests, generous contribu-
tions aud constant aid to accomplish the good
at which it aims, and establishing free beds is
one step toward making a hospital what is
most desirable it should be-a refuge for the
pennisss sick. place where those without
means 70 procure medical treatment and nurs-
ing can be cared for most faithfully, and enjov
every comfort
The pc pie of Maine know that with the ad-
vano cement ofuscience and civilization have come
more enlightened methods of treating patients
in hospitals, very many patients receive much
better care aud treatment than they possibly
could have at th-ir homes 1t is not Only
"noble Charity" as our Governor stated 10 his
message last year, "but duty we owe the uu-
fortunate sIck to care for them IN their extreM-
ity," and should be generously performed.
Tue Name Central Hospital embraces among
its contributors some OF the first men of the
Safe; they have dooe and will do ali in their
power to continue 20 aid this Institution with
their money and their unceasiug care All
new institutions of this character have in their
first years of existence to struggle against
prejudice, caumny and abuse of every sort, uu-
til they shall have gained the confidence of the
people.
But do know, gentlemen of this House,
from my own knowledge that the professional
gentlemen Connected with the Maine G-ueral
Hospital, have felt the weight of the respoosi-
billy resting pom them and have not proved
unworthy of the trust committed them.
They have every inc. ntive winch can inspire
human thought or effort to make all possible
progress 10 The treatment of those committed
t. b "a and have 10 my Judgement done all that
men could do SO alleviate the sDH IiUg and
sick foed to thsif care There is not one
connected with the Maine Gen-ral Hospital
that would not trust my life with if L needed
treatment.
The need of appropriation has never bssn
greater than at this time. The present depres-
sed state Of business will as l SAID before make
calls for free beds greater than ever. This
Hospital needs the fostering .are of the State
for short time. II has gained much in the
short Il ne it has bsen in ex'steoce and this is
enough We might say for to-day, but it is not
enough for tomorrow. Life Is never still.
think ny Impressions of hospitals will
hold good wi ii all That is, the more we
know of these institutions the more We will see
the need of th-m, and Will see the need ofaa-
learning much IN regard to them.
There is no need of my giving you any sta
tistcal m after about this hospital. Portland,
its home, has contributed more than S9O,000,-
to it. The d rectors, who have been assaied
by correspondents of the National Democrat, a
paper 10 this city, have given more than $4,000
of their money to its support.
You have had its report On your desks, and
are fully compel mt to judge of its standing.
When iDsti utjon has such professional men
IS Drs. Gilman, Dane, Greene, Weeks, Small,
Gordon, rhsyer ard Wood, and such gentIe-
men as Clapp, Brown, Spring, Thomas, Wash
burn, Jose and hosts of physicians and gentle
men all over the State for its patrons, who give
without money and without prcs, their profess
sonal services, time and money to this institu-
ton. What more can say?