New-York tribune., 1896-09-28
THE CASE or GEORGE RANGES.
A DEFENCE OF THE ACTION OF BIT. LUKE's
HOSPITAL Authorities

HOSPITAL Authorities
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir With the spirit of your editorial IN your
issue OF the 2sth inst am in hearty accord 1t
is the difficult but undoubted duty OF every one
intrusted with the management Of hospitals 10
that the humane and charitable object OF those
who contribute money toward their support IL
practically manifested. as far as possible TO the
patients committed 10 their care This is the de-
sire and increasing effort of those ntrusted with
the management Of St. Lukcs Hospital.
As far as rules and constant watchfulncss can
do IT, | believe we do secure kind and sympa-
thetic as well as efficient workers in all those
who come in personal contact with the sick No
worker would be retained who proved unkind
harsh.
The management OF St Luke's Hospital appre-
ciate and desire to prove themselves worthy OF the
confidence of their fellow-citizens. They conceal
nothing from the public for they have nothing 10
conceal
The cersure OF the Coronor's Jury in the case Of
George Ranges who died while being transferred
from this institution TO the Harlem Hospital On
the 18th inst is believe, the first official censure
which has ever been passed upon st Lukes Ihl'
fact and the desire retain the good Will OF our
fellow-ci.izens impel me to rehearse the circum-
stances which, in my judgment, rendered this
removal necessary TO the life and well-belng or
the other patients Of the hospital
George Ranges walked into the hospital on tn"
18th inst with confusion OF the hip caused by
the kick Of a horse, and asked for admission lie
was admitted to one of the surgical wards on
the 18th ie showed symptoms of deirium tremens'
which on the 18th developed into a violent attack.
He Jumped over the bed OF one patient and pulled
the bedclothes off another -Four men were neces-
sary to restrain him and put him in straight
Jacket The cells for the temporary restraint and
treatment OF such patients (Which row are being
built are not yet finished. .
r-rJo thaca ~
there was nothing else to be done but TO transfer
this patient in "a public ambulance 10 "A pubic nos
pital equipped for the care of denrious patients
After one of the house physicians had examined
patient could safely be transferred the transfer
was ordered. But. unfortunately. as sometimes
happens in cases Of delrium trcmens. the patent
died suddenly while IL the ambulance. 1heSe
facts were duly reported 10 the EXECUTIVE ton,
mittee at its meeting the 2ith inst The hospital
report d ihlisheS annually not only the number or
patients transferred but that certain diseases are
not admissible its wards. on account or The dis
comfort occasioned by them to otheI patients
Among those diseases is mentioned delirum tre-
These facts were explained In the Coroner's
court but apparently had no weight as against
the Coronors charge that IAN institution has no
right to takeE4n patient unless 1t is provided
With the means of caring for him.
leave the public to Judge II the management
would not have been liable 10 censure If with
bnildings some parts Of which are finished ana
some uarts OF which are not they had closed their
doors to all patients until the institution was
fully finished and equipped what they nave dole
Is 10 do the best they could with situation which
they are daily trying to remedy. All things con-
sidered IS not this the most humane C9eTse'
GEORGE $. BAKER,
Pastor and Superintendent.
81 Iuke's Hospital, New-York. Sept 20 l@6.