The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-04-19

had . great many complimentary things
to say regarding DIR. Clough. He told
abou, DR.. Clough coming frem Dartmouth
to him in the first plaoe to have his eyes
treated and then deciding 10 study medi.
cine and make speciality Of the eye
and ear. On his graduation he came to
inhrmsry and since that time he has
shown himself to be q most valuable
official OF that institution He has been
the inventor and designer of many Of the
appliances now in use NJ this hospital and
his services to the board and the institu-
ton have been very great
MIR. Il. B. Winslow then presented some
valuable services to the institution and
these were adopted unanimously.
Drs. Gordon aud Kimball, Col. r. 4.
Boothby, Drs. Addison Thayer, B. b.
Foster. j. +. Hill Of waterville, Mr.. Albion
Little and others spoke in complimentary
terms of DR.. CT ough.
1t was a very pleasing affair and speaks
in the highest terms Of the popularity of
and high regard In which DR.. Clough is
held by all connected with this institu-
ton.
DR.. Clough in the course Of his re-
marks, said; That this Institution has
done, and is still doing much good, no
one can deny. Even It's bitterest enemies
admit that. But, gentlemen of the trus-
tees, wish to warn you that an instru-
ment capable of doing good when proper
ly applied is equally potent for harm
whom Improperly handled, and hospital
Is. no exception. Be careful lest while
you are earnestly seeking to relieve the
suffering poor you are not creating dag
gers to stab back at you later on.
The prime object of the in6rmary 10 to
extend charity to the poor, but the prob
lem rs to who constitute worthy SUBJECTS
| as recipients Of this charity is one of the
hardest ones which has fallen to the in
genuity Of man to solve. Not every man
who claims to be poor 10 poor. while, On
the othsr hand, many who do not plead
able aid. Now 1t needs DO argument
whatever to convince one that 10 is to the
physicians, the men who give unstintingly
Of their time and skill, that hospitals
Of every character owe their value. 1t Is
through them that hospitals are inaugu-
rated, have been brought to their present
efficiency. and without whom they could
not exist.
| Therefore 1t behooves the directors of
char liable Institutions to protect frs
of all, the medical men connected there
with, because just as a stream cannot rise
above its source, neither can. a hospital
rise above the ability of the men who con
stituts Its staff. 1t Is certainly poor in
ducement TO the drawing out of the hest
talent OF men to BIZ continually burden
ing them with unworthy cases, abating
their generous nature, and depriving them
of that financial support which all must
have. Hence, / repeat 1t, consider first
the physician to whom hospitals owe SO
much.
Having studied every phase OF hospital
charity for years, have changed my
mind good deal as to the nature Of q
true charity. and am convinced that
much we call charity Is tut form of
| GhAnkl6SS CueeounosS. lntre arg many
poor people to be sure who are really
grateful for any service you may render
them, but more often are they looking
for diamonds when you have only gold
to offer them, and il they accept your
gold, quite as likely as not they will &c
of and swear 1t IL counterfeit. The bump
of gratitude in the human head, Is often
very poorly developed and II exercised ID
soon exhausted. The man who win turn
himself inside out to thank you for q
favor today, month hence. II you con
tinue to favor him, will curse you because
you have nothing larger to ofier him than
$1,000 one. Ny experience here In the
hospital with patients has been that
those who are entirely free 90 the most
fault finding, and are most dissatisfied,
while he who pays as he goes. does the
least. But viii not weary you further
in this line. only hope you will be
able to promulgAte some rules which
will prevent your own philanthropio
motives being misapplied, and the gener.
GUS work Of the physicians who serve
you 70 aasrantly abused.