Weekly Arizona journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1903-1908, 1903-06-03
The New Building In
spected by Visitors.
A Description of Its Equipment
Those Who Have Charge of
the Institution.

they were taken to the upper story
where delightful refreshments. con
sisting of fruit punch, ice cream,
cake. sandwiches and coffee, were
served, and everything done to make
the visitors feel that they were being
entertained in the parlor of a friend
rather than at hospital, and indeed
the whole institution seems like par
lor, with its bright clean walls. pol
Ished woodwork and smooth maple
floors covered with rich carpets and
rugs, elegant curtains and draperies,
leather and plush upholstered furni-
ture. mirrors, rocking chairs. ETC.,
all of which are calculated to make
things look as cheerful and home like
as it is possible to do. The following
ladies assisted the Sisters in receiving
and entertaining the guests: Mes
danes K. E. Morrison,J. B. McNally,
NJ. \. Lawler. John Derr.J. W. Finn.
and Miss Rhines.
Up to about seven years ago there
was no institution in this city outside
of the county hospital and a few pri-
vate places where the sick could be
cared for. At that time a corporation
was formed for the purpose of putting
up hospital and the work had pro-
ceeded as far as the laying of the
foundation when the Sisters of Mercy
bought the place and proceeded with
the work in a humble way, building
a portion of the building at a time as
the needs of the place increased and
as they had the funds to do so. until
at last the Mercy hospital, as it has
been for the past five years. was com
pleted and equipped. This institution
was then adopted as the railroad hos
pital for the care of the sick and in
iured employees of the S. F. P and P.
railroad.
Each year the patronage of the place
has increased until about two years
ago it was evident that the building
would have to be increased in size and
the Sisters went to work to meet the
need and after receiving between
$4,000 and $1,000 from private donations
they borrowed about SO, 600 more and
built the new addition which now
stands second to no institution of the
kind in the southwest. There are now
about sixty rooms in all in the build
ing and between fifty and sixty pa
tients can be cared for without crowd
ing, while in pinch as many as sew
enty five could ne accommodated. The
building is three stories high, built
of brick with stone foundations and
is a very imposing structure. Large
verandas extend around three sides OF
the building at each floor making an
admirable place for patients to sit OF
recline in an invalid chair.
Besides the main building there is a
smaller building which is used as a
ward for patients having infectious
diseases. This is entirely separate
from the other building.
In the main building there are two
wards, a public reception room,
office, reading room. and a chapel
where services are held every morn
ing, two operating rooms, closets,
bath rooms, pharmacy. and in fact
everything that a modern hospital and
sanitarium could need or want The
new operating room is said to be the
equal of any large city hospital, there
being every provision made for the
convenience and use of the operators.
The equipment of this room alone is
said to have cost nearly $500 and is
modern in every particular.
The halls are wide and rubber mat
ting is used to deaden all sounds OF
walking and moving about the build
ing. The building is steam heated,
lighted by electricity, while two wa
ter systems supplies, the city and a
private system, supplies it with water
Ample fire protection has been pro-
vided, hose and fire extinguishers be-
ing provided in all the halls.
While the accommodations of the
Mercy hospital cannot be surpassed
any place i'll the southwest yet the
charges are much lower than in a
great many places, the cost only be-
ing sl5 per week for private rooms
and SO per week for the wards, and
while, of course, those who can pay
are expected to pay the regular prices,
yet no one is turned away because
they have no money, and they are
given jsut as good care. and that
means the best that human hands can
administer, as those who pay the full
price.
The institution is under the super
vision of Mother Superior Paul. who
has a general supervision of this work
in Arizona and New Mexico. She is
assisted by the local Mother Superior
Stanislaus, Sister NJ Alphonsus, Sis
ter NJ. Alacoque, Sister NJ. Glare,
Sister NJ Fracis, Sister NJ. COLUMBIA.
and Sister NJ. Berchmans.
While DIR. J. B. McNaIly, who has
been the chief surgeon for the S. f.
P. aud P. railroad for the past six
years, is the hospital physician and
surgeon, yet any physician has the
right to bring his patients to the hos
pital and the patients are given the
unquestioned right to call any physi-
clan they desire.
Something of an idea of the work
that has been done for suffering hu-
manity by these patient Sisters of
Mercy may be had when it is known
that they, since opening the hospital
about six years ago, have cared for
about 1000 patients. The institution
is one which is worthy of the support
and assistance of our people
A Reform Movement.
There has been much bitter com
DIaipt in the mast CONCERNING the