New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-05
SICK POOR KNOCK IN VAIN.
ARRAIGNING THE CHARITY HOSPITALS.
DR.. wELLEs SAYS THE BOARD OF HEALTH Is
A soULLEsS MACHINE-How AN

A soULLEsS MACHINE-How AN
OLD MAN DIED.
Dr. Charles Stuart Weles, who unable to obtain
hospital accommodations in either Bellevue or Willard
Parker Hospitals for Mary Reddngton patient OF MS,
who had the mumps, seen yesterday at his once,
No. A. West Twenty sixth-st., by Tribune reporter
and in reply to the question as TO whether he had
received any communication from the Board OF Health
in reply to his telegram asking for hospital accommoda
tons for the girl, said
"NO, sir; have not, and l consider that have
received scant courtesy from the charity hospitals in
their not receiving sick and homeless girl. have
received no reply whatever TO my request. beneVo-
lent friend, the contrary, was obliged to neglect MS
business to go in search of nurse who would take
tile girl to jamaica l.. l. and see that she was properly
provided for, paying all the expenses himself
1T would seem that it would not be beneath the
dignity of the Board of Health to confer with a
physician having had such an experience with the
public hospitals and endeavOr to provide a remedy
for other similar emergencies. There should be re
ceiving department at Bellevue and other charity
hospitals for all cases Of SICK and homeless people,
no matter fro mwhat ailment they were suffering.
From there they could be distributed or directed to
places or wards adapted to their peculiar needs or
malady. receiving place would at least secure TO
the patient lodging until some permanent and definite
hospital could be determined upon until the nature
of the malady could manifest itself
at is generally understood that many difficulties
environ the heads of the departments in that so much
of the money appropriated for public institutions Is
required to be pension fund for large retlnue
of political retaners But it seems 30 me that sfhcent
amount should be applied TO secure at least eagre
accommodation of the most needy and unfortunate
people, In the hospitals, at least, the most tender
instincts of humanity shld be exhibited, and In these
days Of large aggregatons of wealth in the hands OF
a few and the intensified necessities of the poor,
fabl lipf fOr he Is
sity.
Il do not want to express myself in any personal
sense toward the president of the Board of Health
but regard the Board of Health, as exhibited even
in its inattentiOn to my communication, as sOuless
machine similar to other political departments. 1t is
evident that there frequent applications at Bellevue
Of needy people who can find no accommodations
there and the Board of Health is probably not aware
of the large number of poor people who would be gao
TO have and are entitled TO hospital accommodations
when they absolutely cannot pay their PHYSICIAN but
are kept away from applying at Bellevue through fear
of being refused, through fear OF imperfect accom-
modatlons or possible insult and neglect.
There should be no discrimination in public hos
initial as 10 the character OF sickness. The patient
should be received and sent to the proper ward Tor
treatment only recently one Of my patients told me
of the case of friend OF his who had applied for ad-
mission in Bellevue and had been refused. Inc pa
tent was compostOr in one of the printing offices In
this city and was besides of refined tastes and
como education He was an old man and was attacked
with pneumonia. The day raw and rainy when
he appled for admission at Bellevue, and when they
refused him he was obliged to be out in that stormy
weather all day looking for place to go TO- until ne
hecame almost delriOus. Finally he was sent 10
RandalPs Island where he died. He belonged 10
nrinters, unjon which not informed of his illness
and whereabouts until week or more after ne han
entered the hospital =, II - e.;., ,,I,, torrd
hin, with wretched accommodations, in a ward winch
vas omen and full Of draughts. The sufferer had a
i;ttia money with him when he brought IN inc
NO. ntaj which he told his friend, was stolen from
lin, Teipr taken from under his pillow when he was
aeJ,sn lie also complained Of the poor qualify OF the
go ond begged for fresh eggs, and wanted his money
~ nav FOR food that he could eat, the KIND they
W PII him was not fresh and nnwhoesome. Inc
sborJtiee were told to give the patient everything
a oaded and il would be paid for This they prom
ma 20 do Inf a subsequent visit revealed the same
49, 81 " 70 offairs as existed before
The sufferer had strong constitution, and wealth.
IA to crisis hut suffered from frequent chls brought
ON NV The dranghts in the large, uncomiortable room,
daS With other patients who were either deirlQuS
49, ,onderinC sleep and rest necessary 10 lle
Or ol9S impossible. The patient finally dlea
S S ~ ,anse brought by exposure and neglect
run 80 no Doubt that much Of the pre- udice wmch
h rsen AGAINST the charity hospitals comes from
the incOmpetent CLASS VI "' 'PO'