The Portland daily press., 1885-10-14
MAINE GENERAL HOSPITAL.
The Annual Reports and Election
of Officers.
A Complete Showing of the corpor-
atoms Affairs.

The annual meeting of the corporators of
the Maine General Hospital was held yester-
day afternoon at O'Clock, at Reception Hall.
The following reports were presented and
accepted:
DIRECTORS REPORT.
Hon. Nathan Webb, for the directors, read
the following report:
In presenting the 18th annual report OF the
progress and condition of the Maine General
Hospital the directors have little that is new
to communicate. The success that has marked
the history of the hospital since it was vigor-
ously undertaken by the citizens OF Maine, has
continued to attend it during the year ending
September 80, 1885.
The fidelity and zeal of all actively conduct
ing its affairs and administering its benefits
have been kept fully up to the high standard
of previous years.
The superintendent detailed report of the
annual expenses, and of the services rendered
to patients herewith submitted, makes it un-
necessary for the directors to mention again
those particular facts.
The wisdom of constructing the amphi-
theatre is amply proved by the experience Of
the short time since its completion. and occu-
patton. Attention is invited to the statements
U
daily observation makes him able TO speak so
favorably of the present and prospective use
fulness of this addition to the capacity and
convenience of the hospital.
The treasurer's report exhibits the financial
condition of the hospital and admonishes us
that the time has not yet come, if indeed it
can be hoped that it will ever come, when the
constant aid of charitable contributions will
be no longer required. 1t is certain that the
hospital will always employ all the contribu-
tons it will ever receive in most benefcent
uses.
During the past year the training school for
nurses has been opened 1t may be too early
to declare it successful to the full measure of
hope and anticipation. 1t is, however, safe to
say that the experiment has, thus far, been
free from everything tending to diminish the
confidence with which it was recommended
and undertaken. The directors 1eem it
matter of congratulation that this school has
been initiated under so favorable circum-
stances, and has attracted SO many capable
and intelligent applicants for admission to its
privileges and training.
The permanent fund of the hospital has re-
ceived since the last annual report an increase
of $3.50, but the most of this increase came
to the treasury so late in the year as to add
but little to the income available for current
expenses.
Supporters of annual free beds have gener-
ally continued their bounty, though there has
been slight falling off of income from that
source.
No permanent free bed has been established
since September 30 1884.
1t is well known that legal controversy has
arisen over the will of Governor Coburn. The
directors had hoped by this time to be able to
announce that the munihcent gift of that per-
sistent friend of the hospital, had been re-
ceived into its treasury, was being applied to
the charitable uses he so deeply syInpathized
with and so generously provided for.
The result of the objections to the validity
of the will is of the greatest Importance to
this institution, and will be awaited with anx-
ious interest by all having care for its
prosperity.
That Mr.. Coburn wished the Maine General
hospital to be the recipient OF generous por-
ton of his estate, he abundantly manifested.
If through any failure to comply strictly
with legal requirements in expressing
his wish, it should be defeated, his
memory will none the less be cherished and
honored by all able to appreciate his high
character and noble purposes and the struggle
in behalf of the hospital, which his
bounty would have lightened will be main
tanned not only without Encouragement but
with the encouragement that his example
affords.
The first patient was admitted to the hospfs
tai November 9, 1874. The total of admissions
to September 80 1885. has been 2S09 of whom
2,549 were residents of the State of Maine.
The accompanying table, showing the dis
tribution of these resident patients by counties,
for each year that the hospital has been in op-
Grafton, indicates how wide spread has been
its helping work. and in the opinion of the
directors, manifests a steady and encouraging
increase of confidence in all sections of the
State.
A second table is presented, exhibiting for
each year how many patients have paid board
in full, how many have paid in part. and how
many have been ministered to without any
charge-also the number of medical and Of
surgical cases, and since the year 1872, the
number of ophthalmic cases; the average num-
Der of patients; the total of relief reduced
to weeks, and average cost of patients to the
hospital.
These tables afford evidence of most crafty
ing success and progress. They will. if care
fully examined be found to verify the predic-
tions of the originators of the hospital to
yield satisfaction for all labor and sacrifice for
its support, and to encourage all to continued
and increased effort in promoting its efficiency.
sUPERINTENDENr's REPORT.
DIR. Charles o. Hunt, resident physician and
superintendent, reported as follows:
have the honor TO submit herewith my an
nual report for the year ending September 80,
1885:
Number of patients in the hospital October
l., 1884: paying Is; paying in part s; free
IL ;total 35.
Admitted to the hospital from October l,
1884 to September 80, 1885: