The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-08-31

A Letter from DR.. TOrrey.

IEMN WIN NAt3t ahtCA1oe bat VI
lhuslastlc address, lately published in
morning paper, Of Mrs. w. A. Hooker
regarding our proposed city hospital,
aud have examined carefully the pro-
posed application for a charter. As a
citizen Of Ocala, and prospectively
possible member-it only costs dol
lar 10 become one-I ask permission
70 say q few words.
There II one radical error In the APP
pllcauon named-the insertion of the
word ''whlte." Are we so prejudiced
aud inhuman that we will refuse TO
alleviate pain and suffering, check
disease, or ave life, because our fellow
creature Is darker hued than ourselves
or belongs 10 an inferior race?
Our citizens Of African descent have
same bodies as ourselves, are afflicted
BY the same diseases, need sometimes
a. much or more care, and, shame to
say Il, there are in this city, and in
Marion county, negroes of higher
mental, moral and physical qualifica-
lions than some Of the indigenous or
imported whites, who, under the pro-
posed charter, would have the right of
entrance TO the city hospital.
Aside from the matter of charity
and sometimes people go to well regu-
lated hospitals as paying patients
dlspenaaries and hospitals are provided
for the purpose Of studying disease,
that students and physicians may
gain experience and learn to cope
with aIlmanner and phase of ailments.
Shall we, therefore, If our means are
sufficient, deprive our physicians of
the pleasure Of having occasional sin
teresting cases?v
Let me tell you in confidence, Mr..
Editor, that most cases ere uninter-
esting. The more cases, therefore, we
can provide for our physicians, the
more chance we have of showing our
gratitude to them for their gratuitous
services. We can also have separate
wards, white and coIored, and possibly
the latter may require the least white
washing.
However, the prerequisites of adj
mission, as 10 color and otherwise,
may properly be left to the bylaws
and general regulations.
The question which Mrs. Hooker
proposes shall be discussed at the
meeting on the first Monday in Sep
TENDER Is rather premature. 1t is not
how much may be needed for the es-
adjustment OF hospital, but how
much can be obtained, and this will
depend very largely upon how the
Affairs Of the institution are managed.
have no doubt but that money
enough viii be subscribed and paid in,
Il the management Is satisfactory.
Time viii tell-nothing succeeds
like success.
Let US look for one moment at the
present board Of directors, Who Will
probably be candidates for reelection
In October. Let us consider the Off
ces Of president and secretary. Messrs
r. w. Agnew and r.. b. Mcconnell
are said 70 be very estimabIe gentle
men. I am inclined to think they
are II you take them Alright. They
are both bank presidents, handling a
good deal Of money. If elected they
ought to be willing to pay handsomely
lor the honor, but they are both very
busy men. The position of president
and secretary require incumbents who
can and viii devote their time and at
tention to their duties. Upon them
win depend the success Of the hospital.
None should be elected except those
fun OF earnestness of purpose, untiring
energy, devotion to duty, love of do
Ing good and enthusiasm in the cause.
which qualities will be found In few
men. Women should occupy these
positions. / take the liberty of ascert-
Ing that Mrs. Judge Hooker should be
made president, while doubtless some
other capable lady could be found to
accept the Office Of secretary.
Let ~ look somewl lat further. There
are two practicing physicians of this
city In the temporary management;
both men highly respected for their
social standing and professional at
tainments, but If they remain as di-
rectors they win soon be absolute In
control, nolens volens, as they win
soon find that 0cala directors rarely
remember when meetings Of a board
take place and are most noticeable by
their absence on such occasions.
viii assume for the sake Of argument
that these gentlemen may make ex-
cellent managers, but this very fact
viii soon produce professional jealousy
for even physicians are but human
there viii follow a lack Of interest
among their confreres and the patients
and friends Of these latter viii soon
commence to criticise, then cease
their subscriptions. No director should
be . physician, but there should be 3
medical advisory board to assist Tx
president and trustees.
Woman's sphere Is In extending
sympathy and alleyiating suffering
''ministering angels" all--or at Least
$1,000 - tI.ot., rhafe hid x,<,t.ts, :, :, :,