The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-14


in the bill OF the Virginia Hospital, by the
insertion Of a carefully worded clause
| providing for an equal distribution or the
| state patients among the several counties
/ towns. and cities, OF the Commonwealth
o. That the expense OF maintaining the
/ Hospital ~ the University would be less
/ than I'm Richmond on account or the cheap
/ ness Of articles Of food and the lower
/ wages of employees This statement IS
| amply refuted by the fact that students
| I'm Richmond can obtain board for one
/ half or two-thirds the amount charged
/ for similar accommodations at the Uni
| yersiy.
o. That the climatic and sanitary con-
/ diions render the University a more de-
/ sirable location than Richmond.
On this score the University has tttle
| 20 boast of, the summer temperature
/ being almost equal 20 that OF the tidewateT
| districts, and the frequent epldemlcs wnlcn
| have occurred show that Its water supply
| or sewerage is far from perfect The last
number OF the Medical News contains an
article by Prof. ". e. Dabney ON typhoid
/ fever, in which be says: "A singularly
| favorable opportunity for studying cases
OF this character was furnished by an out
break at the University of Virginia in
the winter and spring of the present year.
| QSg0."
G) That the buildings offered by the
Virginia Hospital are not suited 10 the
purpose 20 which they have been devoted.
This can only be determined by careful
examination of the property. Certainly the
opinion Of men who are unacquainted
with the needs and requirements of a
| hospital. and who have never crossed the
Threshold of the buildings they condemn,
should be taken with some allowance.
o. That II the Hospital was located
at the University. the Board Of Visitors
would probably contribute from the Uni
yersity funds a sum at least equal in
value to the property offered in Richmond
SlS.O0g.
This is mere supposition. and IT is
lJshly improbable that an institution
which taxes the State annually $1,000 for
It's support could suddenly develop such
munihcent generosity.
a. That the clinical advantages which
me Hospital would offer to medical stu
dents OF the University would largely in
crease its classes. That in 1SsG-'N clinical
teaching was introduced I'm the University.
ana tnat the attendance has increased
from AZ students In 1856 TO III I'm the
session recently completed.
NO mention is made OF the fact that the
number OF students has materially de-
creased during the present session. nor do
the Faculty seem 20 appreciate that the
prime object OF the establishment OF a
state Hospital is for the relief or the sick
poor OF the state, and not the promotion
OF fostering OF medical institution.
Inc writer Is an alumnus of the Uni
Nefslty and appreciates the debt he
owes 10 the medical department Of that
institution. It. Is the first theoretical
school OF America, but from its location
ana limitation I'm the number OF teach
ers' II is suicidal for Il to attempt TO
compete with the more practical schools
which are situated I'm large cities. sur
rounded with an abundance Of clinical
material, and command the services Of
the ablest men I'm the profession al
comparatively nominal salaries.
II State hospital be established at
ALL and / do not think any one ques-
tons the urgent need Of such an institu-
ton, the primary consideration which
should influence its location Is the dues-
ton OF where the sick poor could re-
ceiVe the most skiifui medical and sur
gical treatment.
The medical faculty Of the University
OF Virginia consists Of four professors.
one Of whom is a chemist and not a doc
tor. They are all men Of unquestloned
ability and attachments, but their APP
plcation 70 'CheOrtical teaching and
their limitation Of practical experience.
render them unqualified 10 have charge
OF large general hospital. The patients
who would b. sent to a State hospital
suffer chiefly from surgical troubles. as
cases Of typhoid fever and kindred medi-
cal diseases would be treated at home
BY local physicians. These surgical all
ments afrect almost every organ OF the
human body Can n be expected that
the three practitioners al the University
Will suddenly develop into specialists
capable Of properly treating these divers
troubles? Has II not been the custom OF
these very men IN the past, who are
now so clamorous for a State hospi-
tai TO send every serious case Of sur
eical trouble occurring In their practice
10 Richmond or Baltimore for treat
ment2 Compare the practical ability Of
the medical faculty Of the University
Of Virginia with the eighteen men who
constitute the medical and surgical stafr
Of the Virginia Hospital, men who make
specialties Of the various branches 20
which they are assigned. who are
thoroughly equipped with instruments
and appliances and who have had vast
experience IN the practical treatment OF
diseases In their spec'al branches
The Virginia Trosnltnl Il not a thing
n the future-lt has rassed through the
experimental stage It's buildings have
been modified 80 that they are admir-
ably suited TO the purpose 70 which II
is devoted. its wards are well furnished
Its surgical amphi'heatre IL thoroughly
equipped. 7, IS organized and IN effec-
tive operation. Already It has a large
number Of charity patients within its
walls, and Is supplied with residen'
physicians. matrons. trained nurses. and
with drilled employees. How long would
Il take the University OF Virginia 10
accomplish the same work? IL takes
practical experience 20 organize and con-
duct n hospital. n cannot be done by
amateurs no matter what their theoreti-
cal ability.
I cannot believe that the University OF
Virginia really desires the location or
State Hospital AZ Charlottesville or
the appropriation for its support. II II
succeeded I'm securing IL. they would be
IN the position OF the negro. who caught
4 bear by the tail-the would not know
what 10 do with II. The Virginia Hospi-
tai was the originator or the movement 10
provide for the sick poor az the State
and the endeavor OF the University Is
10 defeat an appropriation. meritorious
IN its object and OF practical value 10
The State. because they fear that Incl
ientally II may advance a rival school
and decrease the number OF its own
students.
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