Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-27
ALL TENDING ONE WAY.

Nothing but Praise of the Institution That
Those Few Chose TO Criticlse - The
Resident Doctors.
Other physicians, on both sides, were in
terviewed yesterday as to the hospital. DR..
Charles II. Hoffman was first seen, and he
talked literally to the reporter on the sub
iect. "Of course" said he, 1--WE are not
supposed to be perfect in our management of
the hospital; but can say that during my
professional experience among hospit-
ais in the East 1 have never
seen one that is managed with more consis-
tent system and discipline. 1t has been
charged that the resident physicians were
incompetent to attend to cases in the institu-
ton. Let me say right here that all resi-
dent physicians are subject to the order of
their superiors, and they never treat a
patient without 1t is in cases of emergency,
such as accidents, which would necessitate
immediate attention; like excessive bleed
ing from injuries, etc.
'The visiting physician may be out at
tending to his private practice, but he is
notified as soon as possible. ltis not to besup-
posed that mans life will be jeopardized
BY waiting for the visiting doctor.
PASSING EXAMINATIONS.
Gas to the ability of the resident this is
unquestioned, if the Examining Board are
at all competent. There is no favoritism
shown, and each year a competitive
examination is held, in which
many contestants who have just grad
uated from college take part.
The one passing the most meritorious ex-
animation is selected to fill the position for
a year and half. There is no salary at
tached, and, what is more creditable, every
physician must be co-operator and con-
tribute S100 toward the maintenance of the
hospital.
There is better corps of nurses there
now then ever before. The training school,
under the guidance of Miss Wright, for
merly of Bellevue Hospital, New York City,
has brought about most satisfactory results,
and every lady serving in it has graduated
an excellent nurse. Some of them command
big salaries outside.
Cali this dissatisfaction and comment
of detriment emanates from charity patients.
This has been my experience, the world
over. We don't hear of anything from the
rich or paying patients. 1t is only NOR
bid sense of imagination, and am sure
there can be no reasonable cause for such in
the hospital here. The case cited in the pa
. l.
proper treatment; but his system was in a
knit readily. 1t is the same old story of in
gratitude shown in return for charity"
HE SAID NOTHING ILL.
DR.. h. G. Briggs was called on, at his
home on Mt. Washington. He was once
resident physician at the hospital, and said:
81 don't know of any place where the pa
tients receive better treatment. No matter
whether you are paying or charity patient,
the attendance from nurses and physicians.
is equally good. Often there were patients
in the hospital paying so much week,
lying alongside charity ones, receiving the
same treatment" -
Doctor Rosseau, of Penn avenue, said:
''It is almost impossible to neglect patients.
as thev are under the eve of competent and
not allowed to perform surgical operations,
only upon patients in the dispensary. The
capital, or important, cases the older visit
ing doctors take care OF"
DR.. J. B. McClelland, of Penn avenue,
has had more, probably, to do with the
hospital than any other physician. He was
particularly displeased at the charges made,
and branded them ''scurrilous and mali
cious." ''Your reporters have been grossly
said he. The doctor ex-
planned at length what has been said by the
other physicians, and ended by saying:
"My opinion is, and of every level-minded
man, I'm sure, that the charges made are
beneath notice"
During the day many people were ques-
toned regarding the stories; both those who
had been confined there and ones who had
business relations there. Some thought
that favoritism was practiced, as also sub
servieney of high official to certain out
side physicians.
The last published statistics show death
rate of 81 during the year, while that of the
West Penn Hospital was IA.