Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-23
DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS
Further Discussion Of the 0ity's Medical
Charities.
Views Submitted In Behalf of the
DOctOrs-Free Treatment
of Patients.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:


In the comments in the papers concern
1t is but right that physicians should ex-
press their opinion on this subject, which
Is to them of great Importance.
The article in The Star of November 10.
1.-The Doctors and the Hospitals" should
bring forth a shower Of medical expression.
In the excellent report of DR.. Eliot's COM
mittee 1t Is stated that the number OF
cases treated at free institutions during the
year ending June 80, 1895, was 80, $50, but
this was not all, as some Of the free insti-
tutions were not mentioned in the report;
so it is safe to estimate that at least 10000
cases were treated during that year free
Of charge. This at first appearance is
grand good work, and the respectable
body of men" are not "solemnly protesting
that too great facilities are afforded for
the alienation of human suffering and sick
ness" but they do protest against the
abuses and impositions that have been
practiced against these Institutions. There
is no doubt in the mind of the writer that
If Mr.. ]. c. w. Is willing to pay for the OPP
GRAFTON of that very large hospital system
he proposes, (which would secure to every
body the best medical advice free of cost"
the wards CT the hospital would be crowded
to their utmost capacity, and the work of
pauperizing our people go boldly on; but it
would be neither boon to humanity nor
an advance in civilization. Thinking peo-
q
humane work and civilizing work to pau
perize even the 20 per cent of our people
which We have here now; far less would 1t
be to educate everybody to expect to OBJ
tain something for nothing 1t is opposed
to all established rules of mutual existence.
The writer also fears that the good Mr.. J.
Z. w. would have a hard time discharging
his patients when they were cured. All the
really able Doctors are by no means linn
tied to the staff of some free Institution;
there are some who can really practice
medicine outside Of a dispensary or hospi-
tai. There are other ''sadder things to con-
template than an honest, Industrious man
called upon to pay this doctors bill, and
among them we might mention the sad at
tempt to pauperize these honest, indus
trious men. then that last of all bills-the
undertaker's-mighth have been avoided had
the doctor, and not his assistants, had the
case in charge.
That 1t is simply inhumane to refuse
treatment to the actually needy, worthy
poor goes without question; but 1t Is not
these people that are being taken into ac-
count, but the parasite who lives simply to
impose upon public benefits and the people
generally.
has more money in his pocket and savings
bank than the doctor who attends him? 1t
Is an abuse to the medical profession, as
we'll as to the taxpayers and charita BILE
public, and should be discontinued. What
We need is to educate our people to take
care Of themselves. y
The writer's experience Is that few, If
any, persons rob Themselves to pay the
doctors bill. and to pay that bill last has
been the practice.
The public demands of thevdevotees Of
medicine more thorough preparation than
Is expected from any other citizen! 1t
should grant US, therefore, some recon-
pense, as well as esteem, good wishes and
poor promises.
The physician today must go as far as
Others in the makeup of general knowledge
and then spend from four to six years in
the study of medicine, and after 1t all must
deprived of by our so-called free institu-
tions.
The managers of these institutions de-
light in publishing reports, showing large
numbers of patients treated, and are so
anxious to display large amount Of char
country for material The results are a
great abuse of charity, pauperization of
our public. and lowering Of the self-re-
spect of the undeserving.
An unfortunate feature is that the pa
tients are not utilized in teaching the rising
generation of physicians. AS the state and
public demand a physician to be skilled,
opportunities should be afforded at these
places, and medical schools using free pa
tients for instructing their students should
be willing and able to pay for the same
1t Is the writer's idea that a central dis
trlDutlng bureau, as mentioned In the COM
mittee's recommendations, would be as
useless as the office of commissioner of
char1ty. These people, who are eligible to
free treatment rightfully come under the
attention OF the physician to the poor and
certificate to this doctor should suffice to
admit an applicant for treatment
People IN distress are never questioned as
to their ability to pay. but relieved at once,
II possible. This is the practice Of the pro-
fession, both in and out Of the HOSPITALS.
N. P. BARNES.