Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-09
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AUGUSTA LOCALS.
CITY HOSPITAL.
The Annual Report For the
Year 1900
AS Presented at the Annual Meeting
Of the Corporation.
An Interesting and CreditabIc Record Of Results
Tor the Past Twelve Months.

Inc Work OF the Augusta City hos
pital for the year 1900. is fully sum-
married. in the reports of the dircc-
tors and the visiting committee pre-
scented to the corporation at it's an
Eual meeting. The report of the direc-
tors reads as follows:
The year which has passed, and
which marked the close of the 18th
century, was the most important and
eNentful in the life of the Augusta
Clty Hospital. Prior to 1900 the noble
work which this institution was doing
FOR the alienation of sickness and dis
tresS was carried on in a rented build
ing, which although it answered the
purposes of hospital in far greater
measure than would ordinarily be the
case with structure built for a
private residence, necessarily limited
both the number of patients who could
properly be treated, and the con
ven;ences for carrying on the work.
FROM the first the directors deter
mined that the highest possible stan
dard should be maintained in all de-
partments of the hospital service, and
that whatever equipment they might
be able to provide, be it large or small.
should be the most approved and
modern known to medical science.
With the opening of the hospital on
April .. 1897, a training school for
nurses was established. This.
through the devotion of the members
of the medical staff, who have given
no little time and attention to the
course lectures which have been de-
livercd for the instruction of it's
pupils. has attained merited reputa-
ton both for the thoroughnesS of its
work and the efficiency which its mem
bCrS- have shown in the discharge of
duty. not only in the hospital but also
wherever they have gone in this and
other communities to render profess
sional service in private families.
An institution of this character al
in its beginnings. However much the
community may feel its need there
will always be portion of its MEM
bers who will be oppressed with the
magnitude of the undertaking. and
ready to predict failure for the de-
voted efforts of those who give their
time and thought to it's promotion.
There is, too. very often lack of in
formation on the part of the general
public regarding the plan and purpose
of such institutions, the conditions OBJ
tanning in those which develop the
highest degree of efficiency. and the
necessary rules and regulations with
out which it is useless to hope for any
measure of permanent success. Such
knowledge comes in time with the
growth of any hospital, as the public
sees the accommodating evidences of its
good work and begins to feel just
pride in the results attained through it.
Prior to the establishment of our
City Hospital there was not in the
whole KennebeC Valley a place fitted
up for the performance of modern
antiscptic surgery. and when acct
dents happened to those without ready
means and threw them Unexpectedly
upon the community, the only places
availa Bile for their care and treatment
were the various poor houses. Through
the accommodations afforded by this
institution our section of the State has
been relieved from this standing re-
rroach. for it's doors are ever open to
receive these and other cases in need
Of its minstrations, and during its
existence it has furnished treatment to
patients from fifteen of the sixtecI.
counties of Maine.
From the start the question OF a
permanent home for the hospital en-
gagged the careful attention of the di-
rectors. All felt the great Importance
of this matter and were dcSIrouS that
the location finally secured should be
one in every way adequate not only TO
the present needs but also to all poSSl-
BILE demands of the future. The closing
of the school for girls at st. Cath
arinc'S hall put into the market q
building admirably adapted for the
purposes of such an institution. III IS
:; large and noble looking structure.
built in the beautiful old Colonial style
of architecture and situated upon an
elevation which not only secures the
sanitary advantages that come from
perfect drainage, but also an opennesS
to sunlight and an abundance OF pure
air. 1t commands a superb view OF the
| river and the hills upon its western
| shore. The large basement OF this
building is cementcd throughout ana
| has an ample steam heating pant
which the cold weather of the present
winter has shown to be fully adequate
| to all demands. The rooms, with TWO
or three exceptions, are square nave
| large windows, and afford all the cheer
that comes from plenty of sunshine
! and pleasant outlook. There arc
| forty of them, exclusive Oh iou'
| finished attic rooms which have peen
utilized for storage purposes. oEl :
rounding this building are about az
acres of land which affords ample op-
portunity for convaleSccnts to secure
| outdoor rest and recreation III the
proper season, and also provides 10Y
| any growth of the institution Whlch
| the conditions Of the future may
| render necessary. In raising the iunN
for the purchase of this building ana
lot. it was felt that no effort shouia Us
spared to secure it free from al IN
lcumbrances. Our citizens were proiHp'
and generous in their responses 10 cans
for contributions for this PURPOSE d.
will be seen by the list of SupScrip-
tons submitted by the treasurer, anu
on July 10, the title of this mashiiiceh
property passed absolutely 10 ING
hospital corporation. We nave h'