Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-07

pervision of the Augusta City hospital,
which your board have delegated to be
carried into execution under the pro-
visions of Article 6 of the bylaws of
it's directors, has been very largely
complies with. 1t confined the cuties
of the above committee to the general
management of all matters pertaining
to the hospital and to make such rules
and regulations as may be necessary
for the order and control of the same.
1t contemplates also that it shall de-
termine the admission of its patients.
Your committee are of the OPINION
that this article delegates to this spe-
cial committee more than was intend
ed: that it does not represent the in
tent of the constitution and bylaws OF
the corporation and while it may be
paSsably correct in theory, it is not so
in practice. We are not of the opinion
that it was intended for this commit
tee TO make rules and regulations nee
essary for the order and control of
the hospital, and this part of the ar
ticle has not been complied With, be-
cause, as Il matter of fact, they nave
been formulated, from time to time as
the exigencies arising have demanded,
by majority of the directors at their
stated monthly and adjourned sessions.
If we are not at fault in this opinion,
such action is the absolute prerogative
of a majority of the board of directors.
Weekly inspections have been made
by one, or more, members of the visit
ing committee and it is evident that the
local administration has, at all times,
complied with the regulations of the
directors. Excellent discipline has
been observed and such decorum and
order is evinced in the conduct of the
nurses as convinces us that they have
complied with all necessary instruc-
tons. All visits have been made with
out previous notice and it is a pleasure
to be able to report that all concerned
in the immediate care of the patients
have been found promptly attending to
their duties, and every part of the hos
pitaI maintained in such a condition
of cleanliness as extends to the pa
TENTS healthful surroundings. From
constant and painstaking weekly visits,
we are confident that the hospital pro-
vides for it's occupants not only the
best possible sanitary conditions but
hygienic and dietary service.
Aside from the clinical opportuni-
ties afforded to the sixteen nurses, who
have been on duty during the fiscal
year in the training school, their
knowledge of disease and it's phenom-
ena has been broadened by the sup
Elementary agencies of weekly lectures
by the various staffs of the hospital.
In addition to the theoretical teach
ings the lectures have been made prac-
teal by clinical demonstration, which
opportunity is always made available.
This course of instruction, to which
the staffs have responded with such
promptness and at great self-sacrifice,
has not failed in it's educa tional re-
suits and, because of these increased
instituted factors. there is extended to
all the inmates of the hospital added
efficiency and scientific nursing. Nor
does the hospital alone reap the bene
fits of such training. The city and
county are sharing in, and are appre-
ciating, these advantages, as is evinced
in the demand that is made upon the
institution for it's nurses to care for
the sick in private residences. If no
other argument could be adduced for
the maintenance of hospital in our
community, the fact, alone, that from
year to year it is training class of
young men and women who, through
careful instruction, both theoretically
and clinically, are skilled in methods
which have in them potentialities to
extend to the community that supple
mental care to the physician, which af-
fords the best possible treatment to
the sick, would seem adequate to meet
the most critical objection to institu-
tional appliances. In order to main
tain a sufficient corp of nurses at home,
the hospital has been obliged to refuse
many of the demands made upon the
school to nurse the sick in the outlying
communities, yet from year to year it
is becoming better equipped to fulfill
such requests and has already become
blessing to the public. M
1t may not be amiss at this juncture
to call your attention, for a moment.
to what has been accomplished by the
hospital since it began to receive pa
tients in April, 1898. We find that
there have been four hundred and fifty
nine patients where it was necessary to
resort to surgical procedures; and
two hundred and fifty-six requiring
medical care, making a total of seven
hundred and fifteen patients who nave
been under institutional treatment. BY
examination of the statistics of the
hospital it will be found that there has
been Il slow. but gradual, demand for
care SO that during the past year
there have been two hundred and five
cases requiring surgical interference
and medical care, in fortye eight of
whom major operations have been per-
formed. Aside from partial gratuitous
charges, entire charity has been ex-
tended to patients occupying two free
beds throughout the year, and thirty
seven persons have received care and
treatment without cost to the recip-
lent, many of whom would have suf-
fered from that neglect which results
from poverty but for this benevolence.
the outgrowth of a philanthropic and
Christian public
AT the close of the year. we find
twenty seven patients under treat
ment but as the capacity of the hos
pital is forty-two beds the probable
tiles are that it will be amply able to