The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-21
should Be ENLARGED
LOCkaWanHa Hospital Il in an OVGTCrOWded
Condition.
PATIENTS REFUSED ADMISSION
Others Have to Be Discharged Before
They Are Fully Recovered in Order
to Make Room For Other Sufferers.
What the State Board of Charities
Is Willing to Do to Render Assist
anra

1t does not seem just nor consistent
with the we'll known generosity and
public spirit of Scranton people, that
the Lackawsnna hospital is compelled
to refuse to suCcor many patients who
might be brought there for treatment
Neither does 1t seem consistent with
the wealth of the city that u much
needed addition to this commenda0le
institution cannot be built. These
two statements might, however, be
made fitting fipis OF arecital of the
oyercrowding OF the hospital and the
misery which might be at least allayed
il Scranton were az properly equipped
to care for its MANNED and ailing as
Harrisburg, Lancaster Altoona and
several other cities smaller than ours.
The Moses Taylor hospital cannot be
considered in treating Of this article
which pertains to its sister institution,
from the fact that il is Of a semi-priv
ate character. and, though free, was
built to receive only the Delaware,
Lackawauus and Western and Lacka-
wanna Iron and Steel companies EN-
ployes.
Fifty-fvs patients is the limit estab.
lished for the Lackawanna hospital by
the State Board of Charities, for medl
cal as we'll as mechanical reasons, yet
during many week it has contained
sixty injured and sick, and on several
occasions has received cases and placed
them on mattresses on the floor. Such
a state OF affairs might be expected in
time OF war. riot or some unforeseen
disaster, but not under normal condi-
lions.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
In this connection it would be a most
pertinent question to ask what would
be done with fifty, thirty, or even
twenty persons injured in railroad
accident or n mine catastrophe? Scran-
ton with 100. 0OO population would be
compelled to send the lesser injured to
neign boring cities or shelter and treat
them In an improvised manner.
Three years ago the legislatures
special appropriation of $25 900 to the
Lackawanna hospital was vetoed by
the governor because the state
board of charities failed to recommend
it. The board contended that many
demands Of that nature were being
made, that the state could not afford
to make the appropriation unless citi-
gems Of the demanding cities showed a
disposition to raise 4 portion of the
fund desired. Inquiry made at that
time proved that cities smaller than
Scranton were more extensively
equipped, and this fact is truer today
than it was three yeara ago with a pop.
ulation smaller by 10. 900 souls.
Each year the hospital receives $40, =
900 annually appropriated by the state,
$500 from the Delaware and Hudson
Canal company. $1,000 from the com
bined subscriptions Of several coal
companies, SO, 900 worth of linen, fruit,
vegetables and supplies, and further
sum Of combined cash subscriptions
from individuals to meet the yearly
expenditure OF about $4,000, which in
cudes repairs. The state appropriation
is made exclusively for maintenance
Thirteen nurses. q superintendent, two
surgeons, q surgeons assistant and the
corps of utility men and women are en-
gagged at the institution.
No complaint has been mais of the
treatment accorded patients, but it is
fact that many are discharged tc
make room for new and urgent cases
when the released ones are not suffi.
ciently we'll. Patients discharged un-
der these conditions do not regain nor
NAL health as quickly as they would II
retained for longer period. 1t is sim
ply proposition Of choosing the lesser
OF two evils.
WHAT BOARD OF CHARITIES WILL DO.
The State Board Of Charities is cog
infant OF the fact that the Laokawannt
hospital is maintained at compare.
lively less expense than any similar in.
stitution in the commonwealth, conss
quently they are willing TO make 8
special appropriation for an addition
to the present palpsbly inadequate
structure, provided fund Of reason
able amount is raised in the city. A,
mentioned above, the state board /,
called upon to recommend n great
many special appropriations and thu
strength OF their position, in that "the
! Lord helps those who helps them
selves, cannot be gainsaid.
The directors of the hospital will
next week hold their July meeting ant
no doubt the question OF erecting al
addition along the north side of tn,
main entrance extending toward th,
alley will be discussed. Many Of thps,
gentlemen have from time to tim,
made up the difference between re.
ceipts and expenditures, and ia tina
case it does not seem just that th,
wealth OF this large city should be re
tanned or directed In various semi-char
table channels while the sick ant
manned are being turned away from
the Lackawsnna hospital or being pre-.
msturely discharged to make room fol
/ fellow sufferers.