The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-08-26
The Maine General Hospital.

Although the first patient was admitted to
the Maine General Hospital November 8, 1874
not SO much is generally known of the institu-
ton as its merit deserves. The building is
| situated at the West End in Portland, and a
pleasanter location could not have been chos-
Maine Central is near the Hospital, and visi-
tors coming from the East usually leave the
train there. The Hospital contains three gen-
eral wards, for men, women, and children, re-
| spectlvely, and two wards of private rooms.
| The mems and women's wards have twenty
beds each. The amphitheatre, built last year,
contains large and convenient operating
room. The buildings are valued at $13s,S44.
| DIR. Charles o. Hunt is the resident physi-
clan and superintendent. All the workings Of
the institution are subject to his oversight.
Patients cannot fail to be encouraged by his
| brusque, sympathetic greetings. Their inter-
| ests, as well as those of the Hospital, receive
| his discriminating attention. Letters of inquiry
| should be addressed to him. The highest tai
ent in the State is found in the visiting statls.
| 1t is only necessary to mention their names
! Drs. Dana, Small, Thaycr ard Ring, physi-
clans, and Drs. Weeks, Gordon. Gerrish and
Pendlcton, surgeons. Diseases of the eye and
| ear are treated by an experienced specialist,
DIR. Spaldng. In addition the services of the
| ''house pupils" themselves physicians, are to
be obtained at all times.
A training school gives the Hospital the SER
vices of intelligent and experienced nurses.
This school offers a two years training to wo-
men who desire to become professional nurses
Applications may be made to the Superinten-
dent of the Hospital, who will furnish full par
ticulars and forms.
The expenses of patients are moderate, COW
erng as they do board, washing, nursing
medicine, and the services of the most eXpe-
rienced physicians, surgeons, and specialists.
Those who require surgical aid may 60 to the
Hospital with the utmost confidence that they
will be treated as is best for their welfare. In
so many cases our country doctors are deficient
in education or experience, and being ignorant
OF all progress in the profession, and without
the Improvement which comes from consulta-
ton and investigation, they cannot do for their
patients what they would under more favor
able circumstances. Unless ones symptoms
are clearly defined, and the treatment is salts
factory, time should not be wasted. but the SER
vices of the best physicians should be obtained
without delay. The Hospital gives those of
moderate means chance to receive such treat
ment, which could not be obtained elsewhere
without great cost and inconvenience.
The Hospital has received aid from many pri-
vatc sources. The litigation in the estate of
Abncr Coburn deprives the institution of the
use OF very generous bequest. Free beds are
supported by the railroads, and il few by ntliyid-
uals. Its many friends have testified in var
louS ways their earnestness in the work. The
matrons report shows the great variety of do
nations which are useful, such as bandage and
dressing pieces bed clothing, cloth, books,
magazines, jelles, fruit, flowers. Much good
can be done by sending comparatively tritling
contributions ''lIospital Sunday" brings very
generous sums of money from some of the
churches. Those who can give more bountiful-
ly can hardly find worthicr subject for their
endowments. {. F. BLACK.