The courier., 1902-08-23
Limeom as a
medieag Cemfes

Lincoln has long been conceded TO De
the railroad, political and educational
center of the state. In the near future
Ii will become what may be called the
medical center Also an honor long held
by Omaha.
This fact is peculiarly accentuated
by the fact, doubtless unknown to a
great many people, that out at
Eleventh and South streets, great,
mammoth hospital. three-quarters OF
block in length, is nearing completion.
A dozen years ago there were but
two hospitals, st. Elizabeth. Catholic
institution, and Tabitha, backed by
several local physicians. These places
were small; so were their staffs. Dell
cate and complicated cases were IN
frequent because the country DOCTORS
from whom most OF the hospital prac-
tice is obtained, preferred to send their
patients to Omaha, where bigger hos
pitfalls and staffs were available.
Tabitha. in few years, was
abandoned, and another appeared on
South Eleventh street. In course OF
time there came the sanitarium at Co..
lege View, the sanitarium in Lincoln,
hospital on South Fourteenth, run nrst
as an adjunct of Cotner medical schooi.
Lately a sanitarium at Normal has
been added to the list of institutions
where treatment is given Bssiaes
these there are several smaller ones
conducted by specialists.
ST. Elizabeth was at first located IN
what had been a commodious private
residence This has grown too small
and now comes the big new building.
In the towns and in the country dis
tricts there are a number of excellent
doctors. but limited facilities at hand
for performing difficult and delicate
operations, and the lack Of skillful spe-
cialists when required for consultation
makes these practitioners feel umld
about handling serious cases. SO the
patient is sent to the city where he
or she may have the benefit of the
knowledge of a corps of skilifui doc
tors or the advice of specialist
Physicians as a rule when consulted
about "a severe ailment requiring an
operation do not like to assume the
responsibility alone; and besides, the
advantage to be gained by conferring
with other members of the profession
is helpful in coming to a closer decision
as to the merits of the case under con-
sideration. The city hospitals and SAM
tariums have also every facility for the
treatment of serious diseases and deli
cate surgical operations. These instl-
tutiOns have a corps of experienced
and skillful physicians and specialists
on it's staff who may be consulted at
any time by those who need tnelr
services. Aside from this there are
number of trained nurses and sanitary
rooms and appliances available here.
Apropos of the subject a good story
now and then comes to light on some
of the members of the Lincoln medical
profession A certain surgeon per-
formed on a young man for the re-
moval of a kidney and charged his
father a big fee. The boy afterwards
died and an autopsy was held and the
discovery made by the operating sur
geons that both kidneys were intact.
Sometimes people who have relatives
that are in need of a surgical opera
ton attempt to drive a sharp bargain.
An old man not long ago made the
rounds among the surgeons asking
each one what was his lowest hgure
that he would take to perform an oper-
alton on his son.
The number of doctors in Lincoln is
increasing each year. and best OF all
the standard is steadily being raised
do h.