Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-01-15
nunity who are ever prepared f,

munity who are ever prepared foi
sickness"
1t is gradually dawning upon tho
people Of this community that a hospi-
tai is something vastly broader than
the mere personnel Of its medical staff
Their likes or dislikes, their theories
OF their hobbies. are very small and
trivial matters. compared with the
broad, humane. Christian work accom-
plished by such an institution in It's
intelligent ministratiocs to sickness
and suffering, and those are certainly
unjust and short sighted who would
try to measure the work of any hospi-
tai by such standards.
We have no disposition to detract
one iota from the just credit due the
both in and out of our city, who have
contributed so generously of their time
and strength to the upbuilding of our
City hospital. The fact remains. how
ever. that their labors, important as
they are, constitute but a part of the
work of the institution. Care is fully
as essential as treatment in the proper
management of sickness-in many
cases more so.
both and this. too. under conditions
best suited to their successful co-opera-
ton. But this is not all The generous
hearted ladies who supply flowers ana
fruit, and little kindly attentions that
contribute 80 materially to the pro
gress of convalescence, have a positive
ana valuable part in the work of the
hospital. The devoted nurses who
watch over the patients with intelli-
gent and unremitting care. noting care
fully every change and ministering 10
every need ana who go out as occa-
sion affords to carry the benefactiOnS
Of their trained skill into private fami-
lies. have 4 larger share in the actual
work of the hospital and contribute as
surely to its success as do the mem
bers Of the medical fraternity. The
private citizens. too. who Give freely
of time and means to promote the in
terests. and direct the affairs of the
hospital. may also claim some little
share in its work All of these ele-
ments are combined in the organiza-
ton and work Of hospital Criticism
directed against the institution as Il
whole is, IL greater or less extent.
directed agdinsI them all. Let us b.
sure that We make just distinctions
Because We entertain prejudic"
against some member Of the medical
fraternity is that any reason why we
should transfer il IT, an institution es-
tahlishcd for the public good to whose
service ne may contribute a portion Of
his time ANA in whose work he is but
one nf many factors? we think not.
ana MN are glad tn note Il growing rce-
ogntion of the fact that the hospital
is quite another thing from the mem
bers Of The medical fraternity having
no part in, or responsibility for, any
Of the differences that may character
ize their personal relations We only
know that such differences have ex-
isted to 4 greater or less degree from
the days Of Aesculapius and will prob
ably continue to do so through the
years To come whether hospitals are
established or not Such institutions
are merely servants of the public need
and are not endowed with powers of
regeneration.
The Augusta City hospital has proved
its worth in this community. 1t has
done a work that speaks for itself 1t
has made Il most gratifying growth
and progress and is. today. one Of the
recognized and very generally appre-
ciated Institutions of our city. We be
lieve that the scope and efficiency of
its work is destined to grow broader
ana greater in the years to come.