The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-29
CITY HOSPITAL REPORT
STATE CHARITIES BOARD REITER-
ATES ITS STATEMENTS.
Weakness of superintendent Nichols
1t Sees No Reason for OustinS the
School of Nursing.

The State Board of Charities and Cor
rections, in its report of the investigation
of affairs at the City Hospital, takes issue
with the Board of Health as to the neces-
sty for ousting the managers of the In
diana School of Nursing. The report Of
the Board of Charities signed by DIR. Mary
A. Sphinx, Margaret f. Peelle, John r. Ell
der and Secretary Bicknell, was filed in the
office Of the Governor yesterday. Relative
to the determination of the Board of
Health to assume entire management of
the School for Nurses, the report says:
THE history of the establishment and
maintenance of the Training School for
Nurses, and the valuable services thereby
rendered the city. is u record of unSelflsh
labor and devotion on the part of the
women who assumed the burden Of man.
agement, deserving of the grea test praise.
We do strongly urge that all the excellent
features OF the schoOl-itS efficiency, its
complete enforcement from politics and its
freedom from frequent unnecessary
changes in management-be faithfully re-
tanned in whatever hands the school may
I'VE regret the determination of the au-
thorties to sever the relations which have
those in control of the school, although we
believe that the interests of both hospital
of relations as will lodge the Immediate
management Of the entire hospital incud-
ing the work of the nurses, in the hands
Of the superintendent of the hospital.
Since the Importance of an efficient train
ing school for nurses in connection with
the hospital is recognized. it seems a pity
to deprive 1t Of the assistance and expe
rience of the faithful women who have so
long had its interests at heart"
The State Board Of Charities and Cor
rections also finds that Dr. Nichols was
not a fit person to act as superintendent of
the City Hospital. Nothing whatever is
said to the charges Of cruelty made
against him, but the board declares that
he was lacking in abilities and neglected
the medical duties of his position.
WHAT DIR. NICHOLS LACKED.
Speaking on different phases of the in
vestigation at the hospital, the report says:
We find that; the superintendent, DR..
j. ID. Nichols, who has resigned since the
completion of the investigation, lacked
that dignity of bearing in his intercourse
pital which should characterize the occu-
pant of so important a position; that DIR.
Nichols did not give sufficient attention to
there was noticeable lack or absence in
the administration of the hospital, as
SHOWN by the evidence, of that firm, even
grasp of affairs essential to harmonious
and efficient management.
I'VE find, further, that disagreements
between the superintendent of the hospital
and the superintendent of the training
school have interrupted the harmonious
and cordial cooperation necessary to a
proper discharge OF duties by officers and
subordlnates in both hospital and training
school. Responsibility for this. in our
opinion, rests upon both superintendents
We believe it to be evident that some
clash of authority and friction in the work
of the hospital is inevitable between the
hospital officers and employees on the one
hand and the officers and employees of the
Training School for Nurses on the other,
SO long as there is not a clear line de-
timing the duties of all concerned and dis
tinctly investing the superintendent of the
hospitel with superior authority in all mat
tiers relating to the hospital management.
mo evidence whatever was heard in any
degree sustaining any charge of immortality
or dishonesty on the part of the Superin-
tendent or or any employe of the hospital
or Training School for Nurses and we are
satisfied that no effenses which could thus
be characterized occurred"
A copy of the report was furnished to the
Board of Health. Whether or not that
body will be in any wise affected by the
report is not known. The board has al
ready expressed its determination to d-
vorce the Indiana School of Nursing from
the hospital. The finding of the Investigate
Board of Health. Friends of the Indiana
School or Nursing, however, hope that the
Board of Health will reconsider its deter
mlnation and agree to the continuation of
the school under the present management
upon lines to be mutually agreed upon
clearly marking out the relative respon-
sibilites and jurisdiction of the hospital
and school management. Strong efforts
will be brought to bear upon Mayor Tag
in having DR.. Nichols made superintendent
1t is believed by the ladies that he can be
induced to use his influence with the
Board of Health, when it comes to the
question OF allowing the school to con-
tinue. Now that DIR. Nichols has resigned
and the superintendent of the nurses in
TENDS 10 leave the first of the year it is
urged by the friends of the school that it
ought to be possible for the Board of
to get together on an amicabIe reconstruc-
ton DR.. Ferguson, the new superin-
tendent, It is said, worked in perfect har-
money with the. school when he was SUI