The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-22
or slatn Aid 70 Hospitals.

In the issue Of the Times december
18th there was an article or ABOUT a
column in length, signed "A FiTBinlan'
| written in reply 70 anoIher arucle thdt
| appeared I'm the same paper on the 18th
| instant. signed "Alumnus.' The letter
| signed "Aiunnus'' set out the many al
| vantages OF the University OF Virginia
as the site FOR a state hospital-viz., its
| central location. together with good rail-
road facilities. its freedom from the de-
/ mands OF a large city IFS Climatic ad-
! vautages, It's cheapness, and the fact that,
! n selected as the Site the board or Fisl-
/ tors would then be justified and disposed
| 10 contribute the sum or at least Slo,e0J
! equal 20 the value OF the property ohered
b. tho Virginia Hospital; besides the
clinical advantages which would be thus
offered the student Of the University of
Virginia, with the natural tendency TO
increase the number Of students IN the
medical department Of that historic old
State institution.
The writer Of the article signed - Vir-
ginian" takes issue with "Alumnus' in all
Of his claims for the University as well
az the statement that the buildings offered
by the Virginia Hospital are not suited
for the purpose.
The writer OF this does not propose 10
ignore the claims OF any one OF tho three
colleges or hospitals now desiring TO Doe
made the state hospital for the sick poor
But as "a former student Of the University
De thinks that tine general tenor of the
article referred 90 does tn University au
iujus ice I'm several respects. I'm the first
place the fact that there are only four
professors az medicine at The University
one of whom Us q chemist is not "a sufii
Client objection for the writer is reliably
Informed that JChus-Hoplins Hospital
at Baltimore. one Of the largest and best
equipped hospitals in this country, is TO-
charge Of but three physicians. That the
professors at the University are teaching
medicine theoretically In measure, and
that because Of the lack OF suitable hos
pital accommodations they have sent
cases % Baltimore and 20 Richmond, only
goes % show the need Of such supple
ment 10 what Is generally recognized as
one OF the first theoretical schools of
medicine in this country. Nor are the
professors of the University mere thcO-
rists; on the contrary. they have all been
successful practitioners. But with sucr |
q state hospital at the University does |
any one doubt that II an additional mum |
Der of professors 0r surgeons were needed |
they could Dee easily obtained while as /
IN AT medical schools the student could |
Poe utilized; and though IL mag be true |
state hospital is for The relief of the sicl |
poor OF the State yet if the State is 10 |
give assistance 10 any for such a worthy |
purpose would II not be more fit that
state institution should have the inclden-
DOT benefits 10 De derived from such q
hospital aided by the S,ate2 Therefore.
we admit that Richmond has an of tho
advantages claimed for it by ga Virgin
am IN his article i'm behalf of the Viz
ana Hospital. still we fail 90 see any |
uIhcient reason that State aid should be
ven 10 such a prosperous private hos
ntai as that is represented 10 be. whom
wo state institutions are asking for the
anne thing substantially. Each of these
= under control OF a board appointed by
ne state authorities. As to whether or
lot the Virginia Hospital was the oriei-
'alof OF this movement is not material
ID the merit Of the question though. as
matter or fact. the writer is informed
nat a similar request was made Of the
.etlslature by the Medical COLLEGE Of
iIsihla years ago, and was not granted
eeause OF the financial condition Of the
late az that time. The Medical Col1ero
y Virginia is not referred 10 +, tbe
rtcle to which this writer has referred
ut IKE the University OF VIRGINIA r. iq
state institution. under control Of
oard appointed by State authority re.
iu,s IL mas a well-established colleve
nd hospital buildings. well-e1uippad with
y or the latest improvements. tho nr9-
cry OF the state Of Virginia. worth from
'''V) 10 10000. I'm which her sick yyoul5
e under the roof Of the State. An IN.
pection OF this property will In the
pinion Of the writer. disclose the foot
uS superiority over that OF the viz
ma Hospital. but no one will ouestior
lat II Is the equal i'm every resnect
itD' state hospital such as this vol
lupped and in charge OF physicians
ioseh by state board also situated En-
IyniiChd' Tor which as site "A Vir
man claims such advantage. we see no
'ason' II Richmond be selected as tho
'ce, why this State property should NOT
uulized TO the fullest extent. for IN
'hsequence Of its valuable plant tho
e9lcal College Of Virginia. with SLIGHT
increased yearly appropriation. cenid
maze maze the charity hospital OF the Stato
HsInia' Of which there is a CROWN,
'eu' at minimum cost 10 the State $
OLD STTrDEN,r