The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-10-15

The value of coal on hand October l, 1883, wss
$2,u92.S3; on hand Oc ober 1, 1884, 1911. 40.
Inls makes me average coet OF each patiert per
week $11.40. Tn re was received from patents
for board $40 1885. lhe excess OF expenditure
over the receipts from patients was therefore s11,
o2S %.
BY comparing the above statistics with those of
last year 1t will be seen thai the amount OF work
done in the two ears is practically the same, there
being only difference Of ona week in the aggregate
number Of weeks of relief furnished. The current
expenses have also beea practically the same as
last year, except in the item of rsJairs We have
been obliged To paint all the wood and metallic
parts of the ext rior of the building and We have
also been compelled to reset our boilers. We have
had new hue cons rue ed by which the dranght Is
improved and more under control. Tbs wo think
will result IN saving Of fuel. These tao items Of
extraordinary repairs aggregate $SS5.i3 aud Ac-
count tor the sls hit increase in the total expendi-
lure and in the average cost per week.
wish at this tilpe to submit to your cor sidera-
a traininS school for nurses Many Of The friends
OF the hospital have long wished TO such school
here but circumstances have not been favorable for
such an undertaking until now.
Such schools have b. en- In operation In the lark-
er hospitals for many years aud It IL admitted By
all, have brought about great improvement in the
methods Of caring for the sick Sons have doubted
however " hetner la hospital OF this size where q
'ompar lively small number of nnrsss can be en-
ploysd trai ing school could be conducted success
inily. 10 satisfy myself ON this point | have re-
Gently visited several OF the smaller hospitals Of
New England, some of them smaller lhan ours,
wch have this system in operation and found that
without exception their oficArs ~oro very much
pleased by tha results accom- pished and would not
Tor any consideration go back tn the Old methods
What we shall hope to accomplish by the school is
principally, OF curse, TO improve the character of
nursing in the hospital. But II we are aOls to fur
uish the cJmmsIity with we'll instructed aud
aimed nurse we shall he conf-rring public bene-
fit that will very soon be recognized.
Tue pi uou a scnOOi $ yJr receive on oils for
two years du ing which time they are thoroughly
instructed by text b ,oks. lectures and pract cal
demon straton the be Isl lie. When The two ,ears
completed the nurses thus aimed af or pArsi p
q satisfa tory examination. will receive dip omas
certifying to their knovedge OF nursing thelr abl-
its and good character. have no fear of any lack
Of applicants for admission pupils as 1t is the
experience of the Massachusetts ospitals that
more -ppy than be received and l am told
that many are received from this state To carry
out the plan it will be necessary to create a pev
office, that Of lady superintendent of nurses She
must be a graduate Of one of the large sch o and
should have additional experience as a head nurse
in large well conducted hospi al The expense
for nursing under this system may be increased the
first year, but after that hope 1t Sil be little IL
any greater tnan at present. L believe this plan II
adopted, win be received With great favor BY the
fr ends Of the hospital. | would Ike to inaugurate
the undertaking II it meets our spproval as coon
as the new buildings completed, which will give
us additional rooms that will be- needed.
We have received during the year many contribu-
tions from our many friends acknowledgements
of which will be found in the matron's report. L
wish to acknowledge the following that have been
made directly to met From Mrs, Charles Dummer
of Hallowel, sou for rolling chair for the mems
ward. From Jamas S. Libby, moving our ice house
without charge. From Thomas q. Loring . contri-
button of medicines