The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-17
sh at the expense Of the medical profess

ish at the expense Of the medical profess
! sion.
We cannot formulate rules for or dictate
90 hospital and dispensary boards, or direct
those intrusted with the disbursement Of
public funds appropriated for the relief OF
INDECENT sick how this money shall be
expended, but we claim the right to make
rules for the guidance of our professional
brethren, which if enforced viii not only
protect their interests but incidentally also
the public Treasury.
If proper control had been exercised
hospital and dispensary abuses would not
exist and these rules would never have be
come necessary; and as the remedy lies,
perhaps. within the scope of your investiga-
ton, we beg TO submit the following views
for your considere ton;
The subject OF hospital management in
this city might be simplihed by placing all
hospitals (ownCd and supported by public
funds) under the control OF the municipal
government preferably under the immedi-
ate supervision of a board of charities.
With competent executive officer
AS the accommodations in these hOspi-
tals are insufficient to care for all the indi-
gent sick, other provisions are necessary.
These, in our judgment. ought not TO be
made by making specific and direct appro-
priations for any particular hospital, but
an adequate sum should be appropriated
to be expended under the supervision Of a
central agency (such as a board Of chart
ties). and ii should be the duty OF this
board to determine which Of the existing
hospitals are properly equipped. and then
pay stipulated amount per day for every
poor patient admitted by its order; such
orders should constitute the vouchers OF
the hospital for monthly bills. 1t is pre-
sumed Of course. that this central agency
requires evidence Of dependency. and will
satisfy itself by frequent inspections that
the public patients are properly cared for.
There should doubtless be an emer-
gency department connected with the va
riOus hospitals, one in the east. west.
north. and south. and because Of the pc
culiar nature OF such a service the actual
cost of maintenance should be betrayed
from public funds. The central agency
should also recommend appropriations for
the support Of free dispensaries. located.
like the hospitals, in readily accessible
sections. with due regard to their respcc-
tive population and needs. and should pre-
scribe such rules as VIII limit the work
to the dependent class only Under no cir
cumstances should the system of charging
a small fee be introduced. as il viii be
hardship 10 the real poor and a guise for
fraudulent applicants.
Hospitals for Clinical study.
Public hospitals. like the Treedman's.
Columbia. and the wards connected. with
the Washington Asylum. should De- open
to medical students for clinical instruc-
ton. since they are, after all, not only in
tended for the reception OF the sick and
wuurded. but likewise constitute the train
ing school for the future family physician
The Childrcu's, Garfield. and Provi-
dcnce hospitals. although owned by cor
porations. are practically open 10 medical
students
on the whole. the committee believes
that the plan thus briefly outlined viii BE-
a satisfactory solution OF the hospital and
dispCusary question i'm this city. The
Government would be the gamer. because
IL would rot be under the necessity of
erecting a municipal hospital and dupl-
cate as 10 were. the work OF existing we'll
equipped hospitals. nor would il discOUr-
age benevolent enterprise. Tor in spite Of
many abuses IL must be admitted that
immense good has been accomplished by
charirably disposed men and women In
providing for those who naturally shrink
from being regarded as objects OF public
charity.
"lu our opinion private charity would
be seriously impeded il the Government
assumed an the burdens.
Properly equipped municipal or county
hospitals are expensive institutions. and
apart from the odium connected with being
an inmate Of a county hospital, it is much
better 60 have the sick poor cared for I'm
hospitals located i'm different sections Of
the city. because Of easier access and the
prevention OF crowd poisoning. which can
scarcely De avoided when so many sick are
aggregated under one roof.
..TTa-rff91 and Tf-F.4 11ry h11rHu or7oI4
not to expect public support unless they
comply with the requirements Of the CEN
tral agency Of the Government. and merit
alone should be he key % the public funds
The advantages Of she proposed plan are:
That hospitals owned and wholly. or TO
a great extent supported by the Govern
ment would Doe under the control OF the
municipal authorities.
Specific appropriations for hospitals and
dispsnsaries owned and controlled by sec
tartan or corporate bodies would cease. bur
the state simply pays for the care and
treatment Of INDECENT sick and not for the
extension and completion of institutions
originated by benevolent enterprise. u
matters little TO humanity and good gov
eminent whether a hospital caring for the
sick poor is a memorial hospital. a chill
dreus hospital a college hospital. or n sec
tartan hospital so long as the authorities
have the satisfaction of knowing that the
money has been expended for the benefit
of deserving sick poor admitted by proper
authority aud that the sick are properly
and economically cared for
1t is clearly the duty o. the state 10 dis
courage pauperism; and one Of the chief
functions OF the board of charities. through
its paid agents, should be 10 prevent the
admission of unworthy cases. but to ex-
tend a willing hand and even seek those