Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-10-07
THE RAILROAD HOSPITAL.
What Has Been Done in the Past Twenty


What Has Been Done in the Past Twenty
Years.
from the Occidental Medical Times
The st. Louis Medical and Surgical Jour
nal in connection with the Convention of
Railroad Surgeons, recently held in that
city, alludes to the fact that the Southern
Pacific Compsny's Hospital, at Sacramento,
was the first of It's kind in the United
States. Few, perhaps, are aware that our
railroad hospital was entitled to this honor,
and it will be interesting to briefly review
the conditions that led to its foundation,
and the establishment of the present med
ical service.
In 1868, when the construction of the
Central Pacific Railroad was commenced,
accidents occurred from time to time
amongst those engaged in the stupendous
undertaking. The country along the line
of road was then but sparsely settled, and
the local practitioners available were thus
brought into close relation with the pro-
jectors of the enterprise. When this had
been completed, some of these physicians
were selected so that at different points
surgeon could be found to attend to en-
ployes or passengers injured on the line.
The first man appointed under this system
was the late DR.. Bergman, of Reno, New,
in 1870, and the next DR.. Meigs. of Elko,
in the same year. In those days railroad
ing in the far West was a new science, of
which the inhabitants of California were
ignorant, so that the force necessary to
equip the road was mainly recruited in
the East. These men were away from
their families, and the majority of them
were single, so that when sick or injured
they were destitute of the comforts of
home and often dependent for support
upon their comrades or employers. Real.
izlpg that provision must be made for this
anomalous state of things, the company
established the Central Pacific Hospital"
at Sacramento in November, 1868. The hos
pital, which was erected at cost of $64, 600
consists of main building, 60x35 feet, four
stories and basement, with wide yeranda
at each story, two wings, 35x52 feet, and a
kitchen, "a feet square, removed few feet
from the main building. There are six
wards and eight private rooms; in all ac-
commodahons for lbs patients. The six
wards are each forty-four feet in length by
twenty-three feet in breadth. Those on the
first floor are fourteen feet in hight; on the
second floor twelve feet, and on the third
twelve feet six inches. These figures have
been obtained from Condensed History
and Statement of the Working of the Gen.
trial Pacific Railroad Company's Hospital, :"
compiled by the late J. r. Watson, who
always took an active interest in its well
fare.l The building was carefully designed,
and was well and substantially constructed,
so that to-day, twenty years from its foun-
dalton, it still fullfils its purpose satisfac-
torily. Everything necessary for the treat
ment of injury or disease is provided, and
in the matter of drugs, surgical appliances
and diet greater liberality obtains than is
usual under hospital management. Every
employee taken sick or receiving injuries
when in the actual service of the company
is entitled to medical treatment or admis-
sion for period not exceeding the length
of time he shall have been in the employ
ment of the railroad company. None shall
be entitled to medical treatment for the re-
suits of venereal infection, intemperance.
bad habits, vicious act, hereditary, consti-
tutional or previous ipfirmity. These
rules, however, have always been
most literally construed. In 1855 the
daily average number of beds occupied
was sixty-three, at a cost of 81 80 for each
bed; the total cost of maintenance per
diem being SIC 81. In order to meet the
expenses in connection with the institu-
ton, so cents monthly is deducted from
the pay of every employee, except steam
boat hands and Cinnamon. The first sur
geon to the hospital was DR.. S. p. Thomas,
who resigned in 1869, and was succeeded
by DR.. A. B. Nixon, who served in that
capacity until his resignation in 1885 He
was succeeded by DR.. Thomas W. Hunting
ton, at present chief surgeon to the hos
pital. In addition to the usual staff, the
hospital is now differed as follows: A sur
geon, two consulting surgeons, and resi-
dent assistant (the latter qualified prac-
titioner), a dispenser, who is also a stew
ard, and q clerk. Out-patients are at
tended at the hospital, and those preferring
to remain st home are visited at their
houses. In 1869 the number of cases
treated at the hospital was BOG, the number
of patients at their houses being 779 In
1888 the figures were 1,184 and 3,342, re-
spectively.
This, briefly, was the hospital system of
the Central Pacific Railroad as it was in
augurated twenty years ago, and as it is
still maintained in connection with the
Sacramento Hospital. At that time the
company owned line from San Francisco
to Ogden only, and its employees numbered
about 5000. This includes those en-
ployed in construction Except Chinamenl,
and who, as well as the operative force
paid hospital dues.
To. day the Pacific system of the COM
pany extends from FL Paso in the south
to Portland, Or, in the north. and from
San Francisco in the west, to Ogden in the
east, while branch lines and feeders extend
in every direction. The army of men en-
ployed in working these railroads, and who
pay hospital dues, is about Is 600. The
multiplication of branch lines, the increase
of traffic, and the establishment of many
large depots, repair shops, round houses
etc., have also multiplied the sources of in
jury. The medical system has, therefore,
rNan al
upon the hospital fund are barely met by
the income. Local surgeons, to the num-
Der of fjfty-fve, have been appointed along
the line of the various roads. Their duties
are to render medical and surgical assist
ance and service TO any persons injured BY
accident, and to sick employees on or about
the railroad within their respective dis
tricts. Several of the local surgeons are
paid where the amount of practice war
rants the expenditure. The company does
not conduct any hospital except that at
Sacramento, but arrangements have been
made with existing institutions in San
Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Tucson,
and Portland, Or, for the admission and
treatment OF employees at points where no
hospitals exist. Medicines are furnished
by certain druggists or by the medical at.
PENDANTS, who are paid from the hospital
fund. On October /, 1883, DR.. F. ]. Huse
was appointed Superintendent of the Hos
pital Department. Previous to Dr. Huse's
incumbency there had never been an ocu-
list in the company's employment. This
defect was, however, soon remedied by the
appointment of DR.. VIM. Ellery Briggs, at
Sacramento, and others at points where
their services were likely to be urgently
needed.
This, briefly, is the medical system OF
the great western corporation. and while
we often hear that the company is deriving
a handsome profit from the hospital fund,
it will be evident TO those who know any,
thing of such matters that the money must
be very carefully handled to afford the
necessary service.