The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-16


Brilliant Address by DR.. Helmuth.
\ large and distinguished audience
filed Albright Memorial hall last eve-
ming on the occasion of the first an
nual meeting of the Hahnemann hos
pital. The tables on the platform were
pedestals for the choicest roses and
magnificent specimens of chrysanthe-
NUNS from the hot houses of Colonel
II. NJ Boies. on the platform were
seated Mrs. Henry Belin, jr., Mrs. NJ.
II. Holgate and Miss Emeline X. Rich
mond. The president, Mrs. II. NJ. Boies,
was unavoidably absent.
In the audience with Mrs. A. NJ
Decker, was Mrs. William Tod Hell
muth, whose great executive ability
and rare intellectual powers have Civ
en- her an enviable position among the
women of America thousands of whom
she has been able to help and uplift
with her interest.
The session opened with prayer by
Rev. G. NJ. GifTin, pastor of Elm Park
church.
J. Benjamin Dimmck, who presided
over the meeting, made a few intro
GuCtory remarks, which were peculiarly
flttinS and gave a concise and clear
outline of the work. He stated that
when but little more than fifteen
months ago steps We're taken toward
establishing q Homeopathic hospital in
this city there was a serious question
! as to the need of such an institution
and the possibility of securing support.
The basis Of the work was made for
a period Of two years, and both ques-
tions have already been answered in
the affirmative. The hospital is an ac-
| Complished fact. 1t is completely
equipped, most accessories have been
| supplied, and now the management has
| chiefly to consider ways and means of
| institutlng plans for an ambulance,
| resident physician, a dispensary, etc.
| 1t is no longer Il question as to the
| existence of a hospital 1t exists, and
| the dominant note is rather of salts
! faction than Of fear and doubt as to
! possible results.
WAS GOOD MANAGEMENT.
There are no large endownments nor
surplus funds, but there is a manage
| mont that knows how to keep down
expenses. That the higher and loftier
|
| the end and aim is noble indeed is il
| Illustrated by the fact that during the
| Year $500 days of treatment of char
| ity patients is recorded. 1t is with the
deepest satisfaction that the work ac-
complished is viewed and with abid-
| ing confidence for the future. The
| speaker had faith in common humanity
| and believed it unnecessary to urge
the continuance of support of money
| or service or of flowers.
The corresponding secretary. Mrs.
| NJ. II. HOlgate. then read an admirable
! and interesting report, which was loud
| ly applauded. 1t clearly showed that
the Hahnemann makes a distinct point
of treating yharty patients. The re-
| port was as follows:
An ever important period in the history
! Of any Organization-the initial year
| has drawn To a close in the history of
| llahnemann hospital. 1t is fitting that
! the results attained should pass i'm re-
! view, and thus verify the strong faith
| and sanguine hopes of those I'm whose
| minds this project first took shape. Con-
vincing proof will be given as well TO an
! interested public of the need of such pro-
vision for its welfare and comfort.
Since the institution first threw open
its doors, in November, 1854, for the ad-
| mission of patients, one hundred and
| 1ifty-one persons have been cared for, Of
whom fifty-thrco We're private and ninety
| eight INDECENT cases.
! Among the former were five deaths, and
| hut four out of the charity patients
three of whom reached the institution in
a dying condition.
Twenty-threc beds were the larC st
number occupied at any one time. The
total number of days INDECENT patients
| received treatment was twenty-three hun
drcd.
a FAITHFUL STAFF.
The hospital staff has been faithful in
its attention ana given freely of time.
| strength and money for the requirements
/ of the work.
If time permitted many interesting ac-
| counts could be related of the cure or the
! alleviatOn of disease, particularly where
| in "A number of cases consulting a special
| list at distance had been indicated but
was beyond the means Of the patients.
The arrest in a young child of an IN
| Creasng eye alilictiOn where total blind
ness was threatened and thus obviating
! his becoming a helpless charge affords
one of tho most striking eX0 mples.
Persons from many ranks have been
muistered unto, from the aged divine "a
the young Syrian wife who was rescued
| in a dying condition from most repulsiye
surroundings, with which she had no ar-
| fiiatior, to have her last moments ade
| comfortable in a place of cleanliness and
! ministcring care. Eloquent looks and
murmurs of $50 kind, so kind" in for
eign tongue as she stroked the hands OF
one of the directors, conveyed the graft
tUde she was powcrless to express.
When the institution had been in oper.
alton some months it was deemed advis-
| able to increase its sphere of usefulness
. by adding maternity ward, which
proved a wise arrangement.
1t neCcssitated CnCrOaChing upon space
set aside for nurses and additional quar-.
tcrs outside had to he secured.
a training school for nurses was estah,
lished at the outset, and now numbers
eight members for whom greater accom-.
mCdatiOns are much needed. A corps OF