Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-01-27
THE C. & o. HOSPITALS.
STAUNToN, Jan. "a.

STAUNTON, Jan. "a.
Railroad men from the very nature OF
their employment are more than Ordlna-
rily liable to injury and disease. land when
it comes it too often finds them lily pre-
pared to stand the heavy expense of med
ical attendance and nursing-that is
skillful, scientific nursing-Which has
now become so potent factor in the
treatment of all of the more serious dis
eases. And while they may have loving
friends who with gentle hands are ready
and willing to do anything to alleviate
his suffering, yet it is often the case that
an unsklllful nurse does more harm than
good. Many railroad man struggling
to pay for his home trembles wheu he
looks forward to long attack of sick
ness. When his savings must go to pay
for medical attention, and his loved ones
worn out and Frustrated by long contin-
ued night ylg1ls and constant nursing,
are themselves made sick. The manage
ment OF the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway
recognizing this condition of affairs, set
to work to devise some scheme by which
their employees would be relieved of this
anxiety. The result is-The Chesapeake
q Ohio Hospital Ass0ciation-compose
of employees of the G. 81 o. Ry. alone.
The object of this association is to es-
tablish at suitable points modern, first
class hospitals, equipped with every ap-
pllan2e known to medical skill, for the
treatment OF disease, or to perform any
operation possible to human skill. All
of the employees, from Gen1 Manager to
track men, are members of this associa-
ton. and all equally entitled to it's benefits.
Each member pays an assessment of
Is to so cents per month, according to
the salary received. to-frst-meet the
expenses of hospitals which are now, or
will shortly be established. All the over
plus to be applied to a sinking fund to be
when needed used in the esta blishment of
| other hospitals.
The first Of these hospitals has been es-
tabliShed and is now in successful opera
tion at Clifton Forge. The G. & o. man.
agement, after constructing their new
hotel at East Clifton Forge, remodeled
the splendid building at West Clifton
| Forge which but few years ago had
| been erected at an immense cost to meet
the requirements of a first class hotel,
and fitted it with every appliance needed
to make it a complete, modern and per
feet hospital, and the most prejudiced
mind can but admit, if he will 90 and
look, that success has crowned theil
efforts.
Last week the writer visited this hos
pital, reaching the building just as the
bell rang for breakfast. a stroll through
| the dining room, with its Snowy covered
ables and heat, substantial ware, entire
| ly similar i'll appearance to the dining
! room of any first class hotel. AS the
| n in bni,
seats they were quickly served with as
| alpetiziEg meal as could be gotten any
where. Just across the lobby from the
dining room is the reading room, where
after breakfast all of the patients able to
leave their rooms gather to read, write
letters to loved ones, or social inter.
course. During this hour DR.. Wysol
comes in with CHEEKY smile, 'Iooks al
tongues, feels the pulse, asks few ques
lions and then gives place to the white
clad nurse, who. with winning smile
proffers the bitter drought, which, how
ever Losses much of its bitterness when
rendered by such hands.
| On reaching the second floor we were
met by Miss Richardson, the head nurse.
Nature has richly endowed her for the
position sue occupies, and her talent has
| been cultivated at the best training
schools i'll the country. Her assistants
are graduates of the best schools fol
trained nurses. A pep in the different
rooms occupied by patients showed clear
well kept, inviting rooms, cosy an6
homelike.
In conversation with patient, I asked
how he liked the hospital. Well, said he
t"When first heard of this scheme [ op
posed it bitterly, [ could not see what
right they had to make an assessment or
me for au enterprise which would never
Go me any good, and besides | Thought
when got sick I wanted to be at home
where my own people could nurse me.
never thought | would be willing to go tt
a hospital, bat after awhile | was strick
en- down and sent here, and now believe
if my wish had been carried out and
been taken home would have now been
in my grave. Ny people l know would
have done ali in their power, but thel
could never have nursed me as
have been nuEsed here, and then | would
not have had the constant Watchful care
Of physician DIS | have here. Tell my
| fellow employees for me that this is
grand PLACE for a Sick man, it is utterly
impossible for him to Ee cared for al
home as he will he here" And by fur
Their conversation [ found this was the
feeling Of every patient. All expressed
unbounded confidence in DR.. Wysor. the
Supt. and his assistants.
| A gentleman who occupies most
responsible position Oh the road, is under
! treatment at this hospital for throat
trouble, and he expressed himself as more
than pleased at the attention and general
management displayed in every depart
ment. 1t is safe assertion that the G.
& 0. employees have as elegant, perfectly
equipped hospital as can be found in tbs
South. No Sanitarium anywhere has a
| more suitable situation and in no hOspi
| tai can be found more competent sympa
thetic surgeons, assistants and nurses
than are found here. The pittance each
employee pays will not be missed, and
even il lie never should need hospital
treatment it is a most comforting
thought we'll worth the money. to know
he owns such a place if he ever should
need it. The employees should aud
doubtless do appreciate the action Of the
&. q O. management which has secured
to them this benefit, and already it has
strengthened that bond of sympathy and
good fellowship so manifest between en-
ployer and employee on this great railway