Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-26
is. IT ANIMUS.
Ex-Patients, Employees and
Doctors Talk of a Hospital,
ALLEGING GREEN WORK
On the Part of Boy Physicians, Who
Seek to Practice Surgery.
A PERMANENT SUFFERER TALKS,
As Does Also a Physician, Who Notes
a Big Death Rate.
A PERMANENT SUFFERER TALKS,
POSSIBILITY OF CLEARING 1T ALL UP.

Although charitable institution, and .
mighty good one, at that the Homeopathi,
Hospital is not exempt from all embarrass
ments, if specific reports and revelations
concering its inside workings are true
There are allegations that the in
stitution is run in manner which
is entirely for the benefit of certain few.
Particularly is this alleged as regards some
of the attending physicians who are from
time to time placed there. The principal
point is the treatment-or rather, alleged
neglect-which the patients receive.
Since outside people have become cog.
infant of those allegations, and are spread
ing them, it is, perhaps, pertinent to refer
to them as news
The institution receives yearly from the
State monetary aid, and last year had an
appropriation of $4,000 for necessary ex-
penses, etc.
The whole trouble seems to center on the
young physicians, who are classed as
''bOys" in the profession, who are merely
there to get the beneftof experimental oper-
alton on and attendance upon the patients.
EXPLICIT STATEMENTS.
A DISPATCH reporter talked to some of
the former patients and employees last night,
and they all wondered why this matter
had not come out before
George Ford was confined there from the
result of broken leg. He said: 81 am
crippled for life on account of the poor
treatment received while in the hospital.
Those doctors, or some of them there, don't
know the first principle of surgery.
The torture 1 went through there
was appalling, and you can see what bene-
fit 1 derived-not being able to put my foot
on the ground, or move a joint of the leg.
The link was not set properly, and blame
no one but the boy physicians. The nurses
are to be commended, especially Mrs.
Mullen. Why, 1 lay several hours after
being taken to the hospital before my in
jury was looked after.
''There was man in there by the name of
Smith, who was also subjected to great
deal of suffering on account of these younger
doctors. His was q skin disease, and hard
to treat.
Another case is that of young boy who
has the white swelling in the leg, who has
been there year receiving treatment. His
suffering is great, and repeatedly has he
implored the doctors to cut his limb off; but,
for some reason, they won't do it."
A DOCTOR ON MALPRACTICE.
DR.. Cable, who has an Office Immediately
across the street from the hospital, said:
well, am glad that people outside of
the medical profession have spoken of
this affair. as we could not do it, for
fear of everyone thinking we we're
envious. 1 do not know personally
anything detrimental to the doctors of the
hospital; but have heard some very dam
aging stories concerning their treatment of
patients. Among them remember the case
of negro who had received an injury to
his limb, which necessitated amputation.
The young fellows cut it off once improperly,
and it threatened to mortify; so they had to
again saw it of.
''There is something wrong in the hospital,
too, as regards the treatment medically. The
death rate is too high. If the cases were
from chromatic injuries, we could
account for it; but the West Penn receives
the most of these. would suggest that
practiced physicians be placed in the insti-
tuition. as one mans life, philosophicalIy
speaking, is as good as another's."
OUGHT TO BE CLOSED UP.
The recent case of alleged serious mis-
take in compounding medicines, about
which the hospital physicians refused to say
anything, is called to mind in this connec-
tiOn. There have been also intimations of
drunkenness among some of the male
employees, which necessarily means
neglect. Another alleged instance
which, if true, was inhuman, was the utter
neglect of patient who was dying from an
incurable disease. The attending physician
was alleged to be enjoying some little recrea-
ton within hearing of the man; but did not
answer the piteous entreaties for succor.
In the morning the man was dead. One of
the male nurses is alleged to have enIered
the room and roughly told the man to mot
make so much noise"
Colonel Slack, the manager, is dignifed
and kind gentleman, and, if these allega-
tions or any of them be true, the short
comings of the employees have not been seen
by him. Indeed, one who has been en-
ployed and confined there says this is the
case.
''There is no doubt, /" said one. ''that this
place should be put on the footing it de-
serves to occupy, as it seems to be run in
the interest of a few favorites."