The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-24
FOR A MODERN HOSPITAL.
NEW PROJECT DISCUSSED BY
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS.

Needs. and to the Obtaining OF
Which He Believes the City and
County and the Citizens Generally
Would Contribute LargeIy--A sam
ftOrIum and Medical College
should BE Features of the Hos
pitaI - The savannah Hospital
Grounds the Most Eligible Site for
such an Institution.
The meeting of City Council Wednesday
night. at which the issue between the
hospitals and the city will be discussed,
Is expected 10 prove a very interesting
one. The whole subject OF the manage
ment OF the hospitals, their relations TO
the city and the privileges which physi-
clans other than those connected with the
hospital STATS may expect will be gone
into.
Not only viii the hospitals be strongly
represented. but it is expected that there
win be a number of the physicians of the
city in attendance, especially of those who
hold the opposite view to that announced
by the hospital arrangements. In this
case it is likely that some of these physi-
clans will be called upon to give their
views of the question at issue. 1t is pos
sible that the discussion may become
warm as well as interesting.
After the first conference between the
Committee Of Council and the hospital
representatives it seemed that both sides
we're in a concliatory mood and that an
understanding would be reached with little
difficulty. Since that time, however, both
sides seem TO have stiffened their back,
so to speak, and the spirit of concession
seems 20 have departed The spokesman
for the city remain firm in their demand
that the city shall have representation on
the hospital staffs. while the representa-
tiyes of the hospitals are positive in their
position that this demand is unreasonable
and unwarranted and that il would not
be to the advantage of the hospitals to
grant the concession asked for.
A failure to reach an agreement would
not unlikely result in a movement to es-
tablish a city hospital. Mayor Myers
Health Officer Drummer, Alderman Graham
and others have at various times express
ed themselves as favorable to such a step
and in the present state of affairs it is
evident that but small pressure would be
required to turn the tide in that direction.
Alderman Williams, who is not a men,
Der of the Hospital Conference Committee
but who has taken quite an interest in the
discussion. said yesterday that he was not
prepared to say that he was entirely
agreed with his colleagues as to the posi-
ton they have taken in the matter. At
the same time Alderman Williams has
some ideas OF his own on the hospital ques-
ton which are of interest.
"A new, large thoroughly equipped and
modern hospital Is one of the needs of Sa-
vannah, to-day" said Alderman Williams
in speaking of this matter yesterday. IF
a movement to stablish such a hospital
ii
it would have my hearty approval. At
the same time I should prefer to work in
harmony with the hospitals which are al
ready established. If some arrangement
could be made with the Savannah Hos
pital, by which that corporation could be
brought in touch with the city, I believe
that movement would at once be set on
foot to erect a large modern hospital,
equipped with every facility for this work.
Savannah undoubtedly stands in need of
such an institution. The present hospital
facilities are entirely too limited and with
the growth of our city and with the de-
mands which the future may bring the
time is ripe for such an enterprise. l men
ton the Savannah Hospital because this
corporation has the most eligible site for
hospital purposes to be found in this city
or elsewhere"
THE details of such plan would be
subjects for mature consideration" said
AluGt man w iiildtLS. DuN am SdNlSUe1
that if such an arrangement could be am
icably entered into that both the city ana
county would contribute largely 10 the
erection of a new and modern hcs7it7l
and that in addition there would be found
a number of public spirited citizens who
would subscribe largely of their means
for the purpose of advancing the enter
prise Savannah needs such an institI-
ton. With the natural advantages pos
sessed by the hospital site, the beauty of
our city and its surroundings and the at
fractions ii offers to visitors from all sec
lions, and the salubrity of our climate a
well equipped modern hospital woull at
tract attention far and wide. II would
not only be resorted to by people from all
over Georgia and Florida but many per-
sons of delicate constitution from tie
North would come to 1t for rest and treat
ment. A well equipped sanitorium
would of course be a necessary feature Of
such hospital, and would prove great
attraction to visitors from the North.
"The advantages of such an institution
to the physicians of our city would be no
small consideration. 1t would he of great
benefit to the established physicians in
their practice and would afford to the
younger members of the profession op-
portunlties for learning which they do nor
now possess. This would in all likelihood
lead to the establishment of a medical col
lege in connection with the hospital
where many young men could be equip ed
for their profession. Savannah once had
a medical college and l see no reason
! why she should not have one again. There
are medical colleges at Atlanta, Augusta
and New Orleans. A medical college here
would undoubtedly be of great benefit 10
physicians Of the city by stimuatiug an
interest in their profession and would fur
nish to many young men here the oppcr-
tunity of studying the science Of medicine
who have not the means to go elsewhere
With large hospital such as / have de-
! scribed, and a medical college conducted
/ in connection Herewith savannah would
soon be in the van of the medical profess
sion The other hospitals of the city
would doubtless be conducted in sympathy
with the institution, and the proximity OF
the Telfair Hospital the only woman's
\ hospital OF which / am aware in the
South, would be Of especial value
Il am fully satisfied" said Mr. Williams.
that our wealther citizens are sufficient
| ly public spirited 20 aid largely in such
an enterprise, and that with the move
/ mo on Ia No