The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-15
TELLS OF ABUSE OF
LOCAL CHARITIES
How Various Institutions are imposed
Upon.
PHYSICIAN THINKS 1T A FAD.
"A Practitioner Speaks of Some OF the
Ways That the Work Of Aid
ing the Poor Is Ham
pcrcd.
PHYSICIAN THINKS 1T A FAD.

1.-The average citizen Of Richmond,
said a :well-known physician, has no idea
how charities are abused. Now, this
abuse that refer to Is not always COM
mitted by the poor fellow clad in rags
and the outcast, but by the very person
who should aid in the work Of the amclio-
ration OF the condition OF less fortunate
fellow-be'ngs. Instead Of helping IN.
what might, in one sense of the WORD, De
termed 'robbing the various charities,
he, through his influence and wealth. and.
in some instances, social standing. help
extend the charities fields OF influence
and better the work
.Of course, my remarks have so far
been very general in character, but 1
will show you just what L mean by citing
specific cases. AS a neWSpaper-1nan,
you are in possession of much Informal
ton on matters that are closely identified
with various institutions Of various xmas
in the city Of Richmond. Yet venture
TO say that if your paper was to print,
10 spread before the public eye a detailed
statement Of some few of the many cases
which come to the notice of those having
in charge various charities OF the city
of gross abuse of them you would find
but few who would credit them, and you
yourself, l am afraid, would find them hard
to believe.
SPECIFIC CASES.
'.Cf course, YOU are aware that the
medical colleges ana various hospitals
have established and maintain dispensa-
ries in the city. The dspensary, l Will
state before going further, is d grand
institution in theory, and in practice TO
some extent. The primary aim is TO rem
der medical and surgical treatment to
those who. by some chain Of unfortunate
circumstances, are unable TO pay for the
attentions of a physician and surgeon
The motive that inspired the establishment
Of the places for the treatment of charity
patients is a noble one Physicians
devote some Of their time TO the rendering
of these gratuitous services Others corr
tribute money and time and labor to
helping the unfortunate.
I'm some cases no charge whatever IS
made: in other instances only the actual
cost of the materials employed is asked
Of the patient, and no charge for SCI
vices rendered. is made This last-men-
toned fact, however, seems a drawing
card.
ADVANTAGE TAKEN.
'In my experience as a dispensary ply
sician l have seen people who, besides
being able to pay for a physicians or
surgeons services, Should have contributed
to the support of the institution, come and
ask for free treatment. l have, to my
own personal knowledge, known persons
To actually drive to the dlSpenSdfy III
their own turn-outs to ask the advice Of
F.. physician whose duties We're supposed
to be confined to mnistering to the wants
Of the poor ana the needy.
Some time ago the various dispensa-
ries in The city were visited with almost
alarming regularity By Two women They
always came heavily yelled. and these
wells they took precaution not to remove
until one day the physician in charge had
his suspicious aroused and asked them
to remove them. Both refused and hastily
left the building. 1t was afterwara
learned that they were two well-lSnown
women of the city, possessing both wealth
and social standing.
SEEMS 4 FAD.
"Our greatest trouble is with women
with whom the practice seems i fad.
Men rarely trouble US.
In some instances the would-be
full share of this worlds goods have been
asked to explain why they seek this free
treatment when fully able to pay for it.
They have never given any answers.
They simply leave the rooms, and refuse
any information as reasons There are
many times when treatment has been
refused this class. They take the refusal
without a word, recognizing that they
have all to lose and nothing to gain by
making any protest.
You're right. This is a funny world.
There is no accounting for peoples
tastes.