The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-27
TO INVESTIGATE 1T.
Mismanagemeut of the City and
County Hospital.
Serious Charges Preferred by the Daughters Of
the Good Shepherd Against Promi-
nent Officials

The Investigating Committee Of the
Daughters of the Good Shepherd held a
meeting yesterday at 325 Montg emery street.
The open letter to the ladies', written by DR..
L. ]. LIE Tonrneux, and published in The
CALL few days ago, was considered, and
a committee of three appointed to take DR..
LIE Tourneux'S advice. procure positive facts
and figures, and expose the mismanage-
ment of the City and County Hospital"
The doctors letter was severely criticized
and his courtesy called in serious question
by the ladies, who feel that their partial ex
posture was, if anything, underStated.
Each lady present then related the result
of her investigation into the condition of the
hospital and the treatment of the patients
1t was stated that the number of nurses is
insufficient, each having charge of about
thirty patients. Many nurses are incom-
petent and neglectful, having been APP
pointed through political influence with the
Board of Health, although some are careful
and efficient.
BRUTAL TREATMENT.
Doctors and nurses are said TO treat pa
tients in brutal manner, and many suffer
ers are allowed to die through inattentton
and the lack of proper precautions. One
instance was narrated of young man,
sick with typhoid fever, over whom the
physicians threw five buckets of cold water
at O'Clock in the afternoon, despite his
protest. He died five hours later from the
effect of this treatment.
Complaints were also made that the pa
tients lack nutritious food. In the matern-
ity ward only two rolls of butter are al
lowed each week for twenty mine patients.
In the words OF a Daughter present, "they
are fed with expensive medicines, and DR..
Healv says he has no money with which
TO buy nutritious food"
A lack of cleanliness is noticeable in the
clothing and bedding of the sick. TIE City
and County Hospital was adversely com.
pared with the Almshouse, the Sisters
Hospital and the French Hospital, all of
which are said to be better managed on
smaller appropriation.
SHAKING A PATIENT.
Mrs Mary McGregor, 1872 Van Ness ave-
nue., stated that her husband died on the
10Th inst. through neglect. When he was
IN dying condition. DIR. Healy had shaken
him violently, pushing him down when he
half rose from his bed Medicine prescribed
for her husband had never been admIniS-
tered to him, but another patient who had
private means was given egg-nog when
ever he desired. If patients were given
proper food and attention they would be
discharged earlier and would thus entail
less expense to the city and county. When
asked ner opinion OIL LIE healyi MIS-. NC
Gregor said: "He is cur"
Washington Davis, who had been engaged
by the ladies to investigate the hospital. re-
ported a disgraceful condition of affairs.
In the basement, where there are fourteen
patients, there is abundant evidence to con-
Wet DR.. Healy of violating every health
ordinance ever passed. The bad odors from
this hole permeate the whole building.
Four men are obliged TO sleep in the same
rom with patient suffering from Yirulent
cancer.
SHOCKING.
This man is left in shocking condition
of uncleaninesS and is almost starving.
The only food he receives consists of scraps
brought 10 him by his co-lOdgers.
There are evidences OF waste and eXtrava-
gance on every side The sewers and drains
are imperative, aud some of the buildings
have not been cleaned or painted for twenty
one years. The services of convalescent
patients could be utilized to remedy these
defects. Flowers sent 10 the patients get no
farther than to the rooms of the officers.
The ladies adopted a resolution indorsing
DR.. McQueSten and eXonerating him from
all blame for the management Of the hos
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