Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-05

The election of superintendent OF
the Virginia Hospital to succeed Miss
Douthar who resigned q few days ago.
did not take place. as expected. a. ths
annual meeting of the board last night.
The board did not transact any business,
but adjourned. subject to the call at the
president.
The resignation Of Miss Douthat and
the cause thereof has been source OF
much trouble to the management. and
the president of the board. Mr.. Edgar
O. Taylor. has not had time to give tbs
question of her successor thorough con-
sideration, hence he has not made AZ
appointment.
Miss Doutf,at Is skilful and painstai
ing nurse, whose vaiue Is appreciated by
the management, and whose appointment
was considered fortunate. She Is an eA-
cellent trainer of nurses. and the BOARD
felt secure in placing her at the head OF
the institution.
Her resignation was the direct result OF
reports which reached her ears to the et-
feet that certain doctors had compiained
that she showed partiality IN her dis
tribution of spec-lI nurses. Several of the
been unable to get them. They Claimed
that other doctors. more popular with the
superintendent, had no trouble In secur~
ing special nurses at any time
Miss Douthat heard these reports. which
implied dissatisfaction with her work. and
taking into consideration her ardu.
GUS duties In the mana cement of the in-
stitution, which were breaking down her
health she resigned. Her resignation was
received with the deepest regret. especiai-
ly by the ladies' board.
Duties OF the Position
The duties Of the superintendent OF The
Virginia Hospital are conceded by az
who are acquainted with them to be tot
hard for one woman. Not only has she
in charge the nursing and nurses OF tna
institution. but she also has to look aftes
the management of the building itse.f
Miss Douthat. VINO IS naturally a sverv
conscientious woman, worked beyond her
power of endurance. She said her last
thought upon retiring after hard days
work would be the furnace. and whether
it had been properly resulate ted and at
tended to. The board has long realized
that there should be another position
created. the incumbent's duties h-'re the
management OF the building. bu; = find
1t hard to meet their present e.,penses.
and to add to them would be out of .ne
question
Miss Douthat felt that she could do spe-
cial nursing. the duties and responsible.
ties of which would be lighter. and tina
compensation greater. She will take up
this work.
Ladies', Board to Resign
Coincident with the resignation of Mfss
Douthat. it is understood. will be the
resignation of the ladies' board at a.
meeting to be held the latter part OF
this month. The two events have no
connection. since the ladies of the board
had. 1t IS asserted. come to this de-
termination some time ago. before Hiss
Rourhat's resigna ton was even antici-
pated They have not acted sooner on
account OF the sickness OF their treasurer,
Mrs Sutton. whose report they wish to
receive. after which they propose to re.
sign In a body.
They feel that the interest In the woork
has died out. Some OF the members win
not attend, and 1t is hard to have q meet
ing: therefore they have concluded ths
best thing to do is to disband
Mr.. Edgar D. Taylor. president of the
board. said last night. when seen by
Dispatch reporter. that he had no know
ledge of the intention OF the ladies, board
to resign.