Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-02
A HOSPITAL REVIEW.
What Important Features Pertain to
Those of This City.
MEAGER HOLIDAY CONTRIBUTIONS.
A General Idea Presented of the Scope of
the Institutions.
AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. NCLELLAND

1t is, or should be, natural thought al
this season to those in luxuriant, or even
comfortable homes as to how the sick and
suffering without the pale of the cheerful
home freside are provided for. A very for
chile and impressive discourse, delivered by
the Rev. Samuel Maxwell at Trinity
Church on Sunday night last, upon the sub
ject of hospitals, suggested the idea of visit
ing those in our midst, and learning some
thing of their management and general con-
dition.
An interview with the mother superior Of
Mercy Hospital, Sister Magdalene, revealed
the most perfect order in this institution.
She stated that the number of patients ad-
mitted during this year far exceeded that of
any previous year, reaching 1712. OF these
an unusually large proportion were on the
charity list. Regardless of this fact, how
ever she said that the donations were less
numerous and proportiOnately less liberal
than at any corresponding season for lyears.
Though we did not solicit any, we did not
receive as much as a single turkey either on
Thanksgiving or Christmas day, and large
firms with whom we have expended hun
We have received from five persons
$500, but expect however still further
contributions from a few who never forget
u.s." This was the first hospital established
in Pittsburg, and boasts great completeness
in its various appointments A stroll
through the various wards of the
WEST PENN HOSPITAL
showed uniform neatness and order and
every evidence of tender care for the In
mates, now numbering 21S In reply to
question as to the present resources of the
Institution and the probable means of in
creasing the same Mr.. Cowen, superinten-
dent said: "Wereeeive from the State $25,-
600 annually; the sum derived from paw
patients generally aggregates 81, 900; this
supplemented by $4,000 interest on the
Allegheny Sanitary Hospital fund makes
q total of $4,000 per year which is all that
we can positively depend on" 1t might be
of interest to know that this SANITARY hos
pital fund" was derived from fair held In
Allegheny City during the war to support
Pennsylvania soldiers who were disabled
in the service Two-hundred thousand dol
lars net was the handsome result. This
amount was placed in trust with the West
Penn Hospital with the stipulation that it
should be so used; this has been most faith
fully carried out The number OF soldier
inmates ranges from 25 to 35. In addition to
food and medical treatment they are fur
nished clothing free of charge.
THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
was organized here November s, 1888, and
will doubtless prove a great advantage
Mr.. Cowen in speaking of it said: Its first
and most important object is to bring our
IL
and this can be best accomplished by con-
cert of action and system in procedure. In
the Inauguration of the movement the su-
perintendent of each hospital was notified
by an official letter from Secretary of the
Board of Directors, Mr.. George L. Mccoy,
the day of meeting appointed, and an earn
est cooperation requested. In response to
the suggestions the representatives of West
Penn, the Homeopathic and General Allie
gheny Hospitals met and organized. No
replyiwas ever received from Mercy Hos
pital, hence they do not belong TO the asso-
citation. One of the most notable features
originating with hospital associations was
the establishment of Saturday and Sunday
hospital boxes 1t is not generally known
that these boxes are only put up for two
days in the year, or doubtless the result
would be larger receipts here.
In Pittsburg the boxes were put up last
Saturday and the result is not yet learned.
AN INCREASED DEMAND.
"Our general facilities for accommoda-
tions are little better than they were ten
years since, though the demand upon us has
more than doubled During the wear end |
ing September 80, 1889, we received 1853 |
cases; 439 have been received since that |
time. At present there are 216 inmates; 119
OF that number are free. The regular |
capacity is 10, but bY arranging cots on the |
floor, we are managing to take care of the |
additional 46. A mansard roof along the |
entire front is being now built, which, to-
gether with the two-story brick addition |
now nearing completion, Will increase the |
capacity to probably 60 more beds Our |
expenses last wear were SCI, 900, exceeding |
the income, S12, ,000."
Mr.. Cowen has the interest of the institu- |
tion and the welfare of its inmates warmly |
at heart, and is enthusiastic in the work to |
which his position calls him.
1t was pleasing on entering each ward to |
be confronted by Christmas tee of unusual |
" large proportions, each of which had been
literally strung with presents These were
the generous gifts of Miss Tindle, daugh-
ter of DR.. Tindle, of Penn avenue.
ALLEGHENY GENERAL HOSPITAL.
To the above institution visit was next
paid, where, under the able management of
Miss Florence K. Tildesley, who has SUPER
intended the institution since its opening.
February, 1886, the same general air Of |
comfort and evidence of attention to detail
was noticeable.
On being interrogated as to the affairs of
the hospital generally Miss Tildeslev said:
eve have from our modest beginning had
an increase in the number of patients each
year of about 200 and have treated up to
date something over 1,200. We have had
during the present year 123 cases of typhoid
fever and the mortality has been less, as
shown by the statistics, than in other hospi-
tails here.
Our training school for nurses has been a
marked success. There are now 10 taking
the course. Many that we've turned out
have secured responsible positions else
where. Our great drawback has been lack
OF room and this deficiency traced to its
source means lack of money. Though the
State Board has recommended an approprI-
atlon for Us, there were no further steps
taken, the Governor having vetoed former
Applications of this character and given
very emphatic expression otherwise of disap-
proVal' We have many good friends who
assist us TO some extent. Recently 1000
letters were sent out setting forth our wants
ana the responses from our business men in
VIC WY "a mSlSHduOlSe OF every description |
was exceedingly liberal Though our ac-
are limited we have never
yet refused a patient Our average of free
patients has been 66 per cent.
HOW TO RAISE MoSEy9
Upon the subject as to the best means of
raising the money so much needed for carry-
ing on this great and good work, Mr.. ], 6.
financial agent OF the hospital
was asked his opinion. He said: ''We have
tried various measures, but none so far with !
hat degree of success which the real ext ]
yency of our affairs demands, and which we ,
heartily worked and earnestly hoped for.
The Executive Committee in December.
1888, concigded to print a large number Of
circulars and have them prominently posted
n the various workshops, mills, factories
md other public places in the city.
These circulars, after setting forth
briefly the object of the Saturday and
Sunday Hospital Association" con-
aimed a statement of what the hospitals
lad done during that year, showing that
,293 charity patients had been treated dur
ng that time at cost of $50, ,S42 Their re-
'eipts (from all sources combined) for that
rear were $56, 50; deficit, $50, ASS. IS. As
l.. i /