The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-16
ARE SKITTISH OF POLITICS.
HOSPITALS DO NOT WANT ANY PO-
LITICAL INTERFERENCE.

The Issue Between the City and the
Hospitals Discussed at Length by
Aldermen and Hospital Represen-
tatives-Dr. Duncan Says the Hos
pitfalls Are Open to the Physicians
of the City and That They Are Al
ways Cordially WeIcOme-The Hos
pitfalls Are Ready to Make Any Ren-
sonabIe Concession, But DO Not
Want Any Mix-Up With Politics.
Another Conference to BE Held,
when Definite Propositions VIII
De Submitted.
The conference yesterday afternoon be
tween the committee appointed by the
City Council and the representatives Of
the city hospitals proved to be very in
teresting one, and one which Is likely to
do much good in clearing away misunder-
standings as to the attitudes, both of the
city and the hospital authorities. The
conduct of the hospitals. the facilities Of
fered to physicians there, as Wen as to
patients and the issues raised by the citys
proposition that it should appoint repre-
sentatives upon the hospital staffs were
fully discussed.
The conference was held in the Mayors
office at O'Clock. Those present were
Mayor Myers, Aldermen Graham, Thomas
and Dixon, representing the city, Mr..
George ]. Mills, DR.. William Duncan and
Mr.. T. NJ. Cunningham, representing the
Savannah Hospital; Rev. b. ]. Kelley and
DIR. NJ. F. Dunn, representing the st. Jo-
seph Infrmary, and Mr.. c. NJ. Gilbert and
Mr.. H. c. Cunningham, representing the
Georgia Infirmary.
The conference was opened by state
ment from the Mayor, a typewriter copy
of which was furnished to each member
of the conference, as a statement of the
city's position on the question under con-
sideration as follows:
The committee present we're appointed
by the Mayor and aldermen to confer
with you in reference to giving all reputa-
bic physicians of Savannah an opportun-
ity to visit treat operate and attend OPP
eratiohs, upon charity patients in your
hospitals. With this in view it was thought
best to have a conference with you, and
II you favoably entertain a proposition
of this nature we could then devise such
plans as would be best calculated to carry
it into effect. AS you are aware. for some
years a large number of deserving physi-
clans here have complained that they have
no opportunity for hospital work such as
Is afforded in other cities. 1t Is not in
tended by Council 20 In any way control
the management of the hospitals, but in
our judgment the city should have the
right to have a voice in hospitals which
ii so largely assists in maintaining"
Dr. Duncan was the chief spokesman
for the hospital representatives, all OF
whom, however took part in the discus
sion. The main point of course, was
NH hoe al >
appointment by the city of additional
members of their staffs whether there
would be any advantage, either to the hos
pitais or the physicians to be gained by
such a step. and the manner in which
such appointments should be regulated If
agreed to and the consequences which
might result. incidentally the manage
ment of the hospitals came in for con-
siderable discussion, and information on
this score was promptly given in response
to every question. As the city had made
no specific demand or proposition, the dis
eussion was necessarily of a general ma
ture, and both parties found themselves
somewhat at sea before the conclusion of
the discussion.
DR. Duncan, speaking for the Savannah
Hospital, said that he did not fully I'M
derstsnd the city's position in the matter.
The affairs of the hospital are looked after
by board of managers, who receive and
disburse the funds for its support. They
are reliable and well-known citizens, and
arc ready to give an account of their man
agement al any time The medical staff
is selected by the board. The physicians
render their service without charge, they
are men of unquestioned standing in their
profession, they are faithful in the dis
charge of their duties. and no well found
ed complaint can be made against them
on this score. The board selects as many
physicians as are considered necessary for
the work
DR.. Duncan said that the idea that pre
walls that the hospital is open only to the
members of its staff is unfounded IT is
open TO all reputable physicians at any
time, he said, and they are always vel
come There is no disposition TO b. ex-
elusive. The hospital management desires
ana courts the good will of the profession
ana the public generally. The idea that
the hospital is a benevolent institution for
the benefit of it's patients seemed TO have
been lost sight of in the discussion he
SAID The idea seems 10 be-" he said
mat young physicians who need experi
ehce should have the benefit of hospital
practice. Because they need experience is
the very reason why we do not want their
services. The management is as careful Of
poor patients as II is of wealthy ones. and
Tor that reason only experienced physicians
are placed upon the staff
Alderman Dixon said that he understood
- oNNNANN Rtl9 CtCldn was allowed 10
attend a patient in the free wards. Dr
duncan said that this is true, that It
would be subversive of discipline TO allow
Il. There is no objection to free patient
having an outside physician" he said
Inc physicians can go there and see the
patient, but ne cannot attend upon him.
sometimes an outside physician is allowed
to attend upon a free patient by consent
OF the house physician, but 1 do not an
prove of this. If any physician is par
ueuiarly interested in case there is no
objection to his coming to the hospital and
following up the case.
There is no institution OF the kind in
the country which is so liberal as the
Savannah Hospital" said Dr. Duncan.
The city of Atlanta approprlates S22 900
to the Grady Hospital and only members
OF The hospital staff can perform opera
tons there. The operating rooms of the
Savannah Hospital are open to the physi-
cians of the city There is no perquisite
or privilege enjoyed by the stan which is
not open to outside physicians"