The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-03
ROGER WILLIAMS NFIRMARY.

Atlantic Medical weekly says III is Cn-
worthy ofSupport-GoodN Names Are,
However, Associated With Ii. t.-
In the current issue of the Atlantic
Medical Weekly, n periodical published in
Providence in the interests OF the medical
profess ion generally, appears the follow
ing editorial:
THE ROGER WILLIAMS EYE, EAR AND
THROAT INFIRMARY.
There is IN institution In Providence
under the above name which has lately
issued a prospectus appealing FOR ala
from charitably disposed persons TO carry
on its work, and some of the statements
made in 1t are so misleading that they
demand attention. To start with, when
all charitable institutions OF this city.are
trying to devise met hods of lcssening the
abuse to which they are subjected by
well-to-do-applicants for aid, 1t is poor
time to start new hospital and appeal
for financial support on the ground that
there Is no similar institution in the city,
and that there is great demand Tor IL.
In tue appeal to the generous public IL
says:
"The object OF the Roger Williams In
firmary is to relieve and cure suneriDg
humanity among the afflicted poor, to
sight, having health, they may thus be
enabled TO help themselves. IL you will
carefully investigate the matter, your
hearts will be stirred and touched as were
those of the founders of this institution,
by the unquestioned fact that there are
hundreds OF the worthy poor in our
midst, too poor TO pay for the skilled
treatment they so much need, and whose
necessities can best be met in such an
institution as this, dedicated solely to
the careful and scientific treatment OF
these special organs. Please bear IN
mind that this is the only institution of
he kind i'm the State"
When the originators OF this scheme
have lived long enough in this State to
become acquainted with its charitable
organizations, they will make no state
meDt so palpably untrue. The Rhode
Island Hospital during the year 1910,
treated gratuitously 1872 patients suffering
from diseases of the eye, ear. nose and
throat, and OF these 24i6 were new pa
tien,s st. Joseph's Hospital, from April
6, 1853, TO January 9, 1896, treated 2469
patients suffering from diseases OF these
organs. Besides these, the Homeopathic
Dispensary, the Free Dispensary and the
Providence DispensHry treated hundreds.
II, in spite OF these thousands who have
received attention at these hospitals,
there are vet hundreds who demand es-
and Providence in particular, is the field
OF most promising study of sociology.
There Is no such need OF an iniirmary.
Rather, Is there urgent need o. still
greater correction of the hospital abuse,
and to state that the Roger Williams In
frmary is the only institution in the State
for treatment of these special diseases is
an untruth. and serves only the purpose
of misleading charitable persons to devote
their offe ,ings to this particular place.
The prospectus further quotes largely
from an official catalogue OF the Manhat-
tan Eye and Ear Hospital OF New York
as reason why the Roger Williams In
Urinary should exist, and embellishes
its pages with photographs of wards and
operations which are In themselves mis-
leading, as in no degree are such fncilt-
ties offered here. The staff of consulting
physicians is in New York, and their SER
vices nre worth nothing. OF what avail
is it to the attending surgeon in diffi-
cult case to refer to his consultant
hundred miles away, as well give
patient suffering with cholera morbus
prescription for an op.ate with the nearest
drug store twenty miles from him?
The statement made that during the
first month il treated 209 patients, or an
average of II each clinic day. Is not crc1.-
ible and would require more corroboratjve
proof than its mere statement TO satisfy
hlyOUt Ut WAN oisl'ShcoAy
work in the city.
AS we have said before in these pages,
no other class of professional men give
SO much time to Charitable work as do
and 1t is a shame to so mis-
represent facts that the public may think
them derelict in DUTY TO the poor OF Prov
idence.
IL would be interesting to zee report
from this institution similar to that Is
sued by all hospitals, giving in detail its
financial standing with account OF Its ex-
p.uditures and summary Of cases treat
ed. When such is published we will be
more inclined To speak In its favor than
at present, but as maintained and con-
Quoted now we have no confidence in II.
The Infirmary was established some
months ngo. and what it. sought TO do
was state In the local newspapers at the
time. IL IL located at 35 Fenner street,
and IL treats all corners from and after 10
O'Clock a. m, on Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays and on Tuesday evenings.
The prospectus which the Atlantic
Medical Weekly quotes from contains
portrait of Rev. Il. DE Wolf, secretary
and apparently general manager OF the
the uecication OF the pros
pectus being 10 Dr. DE Wolf, "to whore
jealous efforts this institution owes its
existence--this prospectus is respectfully
dedicated, by the board OF managers OF
4 he Roger Williams I've lar and Throat