The Portland daily press., 1881-08-26
PORTLAND AND ITS CHARITY
AS Seen by the Eyes of New York Pro-
lessor.

Professor Didama, of Syracuse Uni
versity, who writes to the Syracuse
Journal over the pen-name "Amos Cot
le," visited Portland the other day, and has
the following to say about our city and its no
bic charity, the Maine General Hospital:
Portland is fine city of some thirty thous-
and souls, and not single sample ROOM
sign. We learn, however, that some Twelve
hundred arrests annually are made for drunk
enness; but the law aims to repress rumseling
and make it disreputable But, if 1 might in.
dulge in such striking originality, no amount
OF legislation viii of itself make men moral or
temperate. The friends of sobriety must be
unceasing in their efforts to point out, espe-
clally 10 the young, the evils of dram-drinking.
Reliance on Law, 10 matter how stringent lis
provisions or severe its penalties, to eradicate
incompetence will prove delusion ana a
snare. Ii the clergy could induce the Legisla-
ture 20 re-enact the Ten Commandments they
would 81 Ill find all their zeal aud perseverance
needed In the work of saving souls. Portland
may have accomplished much in driving an
unholy traffic into secret dens but SO long as a
great multitude continue to be Sin favor of the
Maine Law, but opposed to its enforcement"
the millennium is not SO near as to excite any
needfui alarm.
Among many things of which Portland NAV
be proud, the Maine General Hospital stands
pre-emiDent. Situated in the heart of the
Gown, on an elevation which commands view
6Attuulllg all over Lie udIOOr 10 the ocean and
10 the White Mountain range, distant fully
ninety miles, surrounded by fifteen acres of
land on which no building Can ever be erected
70 oostruct the magnificent prospect or to con-
taminate the healthful breezes which blow
from every quarter, complete in its equipment,
perfect in its system of heating and ventila-
tlon and drainage, thoroughly manned by &C.
compished physicians and surgeons, some of
them having national re utation, this beauti-
1ul hospnal stands an ornament to the city and
testimonial TO the wisdom and warm hearted
benevoience of the commonwealth
nave seen mauy of the best hospitals in
this country and in Europe, but for beauty of
situation and healthful surroundings and ar
rangements to secure an even temporal, T and
pure air in every part of the building. the
Maine General Hospital surpasses them all.
Ii is not too much to hope that the good people
who have already contributed $150,OOO will
not stop in their work of benefcence till this
noble building shall be enlarged to its needed
dimensions, aud a sufficient fund be secured,
by enactment and requests. to ensure the per-
manency of abundant and efficient work.
Syracuse, with popu, alton of 60.0Gi, has its
penitentiary set on hill in the midst of ample
grounds, and not hospital worthy of respec-
table village. Portland, with a wiser humani-
ty. takes care of her sick, giving them the fine
views and healthful location which we and
many Other cities set apart for our precious
criminals.
Were our good President an inmate of this
Grating breezes from the sea, enjoying a tenn
perature which is cool, but not free from moist
1re, his appetite, digestion aud strength would
come back and his recovery would not be
doubtful. The President has in the main the
best medical and surgical skill which this
country affords; but the difference betwee a
malarious atmosphere, like that of Washing
ton, and heaithful tonic one like that Of
Portland is the difference between debility aud
strength; AID an artiicially refrigerated air,
xrhr1 81 la. hatt thn,,
and suffocstiug coseness which must have
prevailed at the White House, can never be
equal TO the delicious coolDeSs which nature
4, provides on our northern seaboard. Ice not
only cools air but deprives it of moisture. AS
i understand it, the air which is admitted to
the Presidents chamber is first cooled in re-
frigerating apparatus to 40 degrees. When
thus cooled all the moisture i'll the atmosphere
except about eight volumes in one thousand is
extracted, when raised again to 70 degrees,
must be added to produce saturatiOn.
This necessary moisture, unless it be supplied
by evaporating water, will be sucked from ey-
cry person and thing with which the deslccated
air comes in contact. And the necessary re-
suit will be rapid loss of weight on the part of
those who yield their succIlence Copious
draughts of water might, to some extent pre-
vent emaciation, but they would be likely to
disturb an enfeebled stomach and interfere
with digestion. 1t is safe, however, to say that
the bright and eminent medical men, who
have the life of our Chief Magistrate IN their
keeping, have considered the matter and have
not allowed their priceless patient to furnish
from his own juices the moisture demanded
by an exactiDg and pitiless atmosphere.
The Brunswick Medical School should be re-
moved 10 Portland, so that the students who are
- be the future medicine men may enjoy clint
cal advantages furnished only by hospital
Then the present able corps of teachers can al
I'd 10 adopt the graded system Of instruction,
winch Is the only system fit % he loved and To
lenethen the ter1os sron, s;ytesn 10 1hirtySsiy
O. forty weeks, as we have done in Syracuse.
That TINS good work may be speedily accom-.
plshed Is the wish and expectation of all those
who read Alright the signs of the times and
nave respect Tor the eternal fitness of things