The evening times., 1896-11-18

admission TO Tree trcatIncnJ OF many per
sons who would be able to pay fees TO
physicians was at the bottom of the in
quiry. and the association seeks to add to
the revenues of its members by stopping
the practice.
Tie hospitals, it is alleged. are induced
TO admit without charge persons who are
able 10 pay, because thereby they swell
the total OF their charity work, and have
n stronger claim ON Congress for "a large
appropriation.
A special protest is made by the aSsocia-
tioB against sending persons who are hurt
or taken sick on the streets to the hospital
when they have good homes where they
could be properly cared for Such cases, it
is stated. are not a proper charge upon the
charity of the community.
The association several weeks ago ap-
pointed committee of four to get the facts
in this matter. The resolution providing
for the appointment said the purpose was
To protect the membership from imposition
and there was no wish to antaSoniZe any
OF Our excellent medical institutions"
The committee reported on Monday, and
the association, after cutting out some
portions of the paper as too radical, in
dorsed by formal vote.
WORST AT EMERGENCY.
The report states among its conclusions
that there is a great abuse of medical
charity in all the hospitals, and espe-
cially at the Emei gcncy. 1t is alleged that
a ma ajority of the applicants To these in
stitutions are able to pay" This state
ment, it is worth noticing, is quite differ
ent from saving that a ma sority of the
free patients are able to pay, although this
latter assertion is what will ordinarily
be.understood.
Furthermore, The practice of treating
the victims of vicious habits repeatedly at
public expense, is denounced, unless ii can
be shown that these applicants are really
poor
The following recommendations are ap-
pended 10 the report:
WRITTEN CERTIFICATES.
First: That every institution require
written evidence, in the form Of a certifi-
cate, from every applicant, for free treat
ment at every institution, supported in
part OF in whole by the government.
Second. That there be a central dis
tribution bureau, where all applicants for
free medical aid be required 10 apply, pre-
sent their evidence, and receive the GER
tificate necessary to their admission to
any charitable medical institution, such
certificates to continue in force for Thirty
days
Third-That this bureau be in charge of a
salaried medical officer, whose record OF
applicants shall be open for public inspec-
tion under certain restrictions.
Fourth-That cases Of sick and injured
persons found upon the streets, in the sta
tions, or elsewhere, which, upon investiga-
ton, are proper subjects for treatment, be
carried to their homes, and if they have no
suitable homes, to the nearest hospital
Fifth-That cases brought from the States
be refused treatment in the public wards
OF a hospital, and that such cases be COM
PEELED TO pay for services or be excluded
from the charity Of the city.
Si~tb-Tbuf nh I'd nc IN ho
be paid larger salaries, that their number be
increased, and that they be required to at
tend more closely to their duties.
Seventh-That, in future, the members of
the medical staff of hospitals and dispen-
saries be elected for a term Of not more
than four years, and be ineligible for an
immediate reelection.
WITHHOLD APPROPRIATIONS
Eighth That the Medical Association
of the District of Columbia oppose the
further appropriation, either from Con-
gress or the Commissioners OF the Dis
triCt of Columbia, to any or all institutions
which are found 10 abuse medical charity
NiDth-That the reputable members of
the profession be allowed to attend pa
uents in all the hospitals of the city.
The committee states that it declined TO
make any personal investigation of abuses
alleged, but relied on answers from cor
respondents of whom Inquiries were made,
and upon the reports from the institutions
themselves in reply TO questions addressed
them.
Superintendent OF Police Moore, in reply
ing to the letter sent him, said there are
no present police rules governing the re-
lection of applicants for free treatment
at the hospitals, andit would be impossible
To make a fair rule to govern according To
waGesearned, ,assuggcStcd by tn, committee.
POLICE METHODS.
Full and detailed examinations are made
in each case, he said, by the officers of the
department. This he considers as the best
possible means to prevent fraud. The
method OF removal and the place to which
removed depends upon circumstances, and
there are no fixed rules. Emergency cases
are taken to that hospital. Sick or injured
persons are not taken from their residences
To the hospitals, except upon arrangements
made by their friends with the institutions
themselves.
Sanitary Officer Frank replied by send
Ing blank certificate of admission to hos
pitfalls. These certificates are filled out
and signed by physician or other responsi-
bic person. They are filed in his office
Freedman'S Hospital answered that mos,
of its patients are admitted on permit from
the sanitary officer or the physicians TO
the poor. There are no pay wards. Efforts
are made In the dispensary service to pre-
vent imposition. Outside physicians are not
allowed to attend cases.
ADMISSION AT PROVIDENCE
Providence Hospital reported that the
public fund there is for the aid OF the non
resident sick. but charity fund is derived
from tue pay wards and applied to the bcne-
fit OF the sick poor OF the District. A dmis-
sions 10 the free wards are upon order of the
surgeon general OF the army. The members
OF the staff Will visit patients in private
wards if desired, but must be paid the
usual fees if the patient is able to paw
Outside physicians can attend in private
wards.
sibley liospital-Free patients must give
satisfactory evidence to the officials in
charge of inability to pay. Patients in pr-
vate wards must show that the are unable
to pay for outside service before a staff
physician will be assigned. There is no
dispenSary. The resident staff do not treat
outdoor cases except in emergency. Out
side physicians can attend there.
Columbia Hospital-Only women suffer-
ing from diseases peculiar to their sex
are admitted. Patients admitted TO pri
vate rooms are charged for services at the
discretion of the member of the staff at
tending. An unmarried patient is not adj
mitted to the obstetrical wards a second
time, except in case of emergency. Out
side pb ysicians are not allowed.
Chiidren's Hospitai-Omy INDECENT chill