St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-02-01
Brlghtlo0k Hospital.
Offer oil $4,000 Made With Condisio,


In response to call from the Citizens
Committee, between 80 and 40 men al
sembled at the Museum, Friday evening
in the interests of Brightlook Hospital
The meeting was called to order by Rev
James A. Thompson, who spoke of it
object, and OF his deep personal interes
in the work. From the many question
asked, it is apparent that the people o
St. Johnsbury realize but little of th'
work done at the hospital, and some o
the statistics given by Mr.. Hazen will b.
Of interest.
The hospital was opened in June, 1889
since which time it has admitted 263
surgical, PAS medical and 83 eye, ear and
incidental patients, total of 594. Dur
ing that period there has been 81 deaths,
or percentage OF about s Ia. This is
less than the average death rate in hos.
pitfalls, and is especially low taking into
consideration that quite number of
hopeless cases have been taken to the
hospital to be made as comfortable as
possible during their last days rbe
nursing service feature of the hospital is
one that commends itself to the people OF
st. Johnsbury. During the year 1904
nurses were furnished for about fifty
cases outside the hospital. The nurses
are not permitted to 60 out until they
have been in training for six months,
and then only on the less difficult cases in
town, where they can be in immediate
touch with the superintendent. For the
more serious and out-ot town cases, they
are not sent out until they have been in
training one year or more.
Rev. A. F. Walch spoke very strongly
OF his impressions OF the hospital from
his many visits there. He was always
received cordially the nurses were quiet
orderly and dignlfed and very attentive
to their work, and the patients had the
best of care.
The treasurer, Richard c. Baker, pre-
sented figures for the past four years
showing average earnings per year of
"a, O24 "a and averageexpenses $4.662.-
SO. AS the earnings are not all coll, CT
able, there is a deficit in each year OF some
thing more than the difference between
earnings and expenses, the average for
the four years being about $500. The
balance-sheet tor Jan. 1, 1905, shows a
deficit OF $61O
Drs. Aldiicb, Ross and Hitchcock had
only words OF praise for the work OF he
hospital, but the need of more suitable
building was emphasized.
Pres. Alexander Dunnett spoke of his
deep interest in the hospital and the
good work which has come under his
observation during his term OF office.
dc felt that the hospital was entitled to
the cordial support of the community
and that plans should be made whereby
definite sum would be pledged each |
year to take care OF the deficit. We |
ought not to ask hospital to support
tselt; If it is to be helpful to the COM
nunity as we want it to be, our money
must go into it. To bis knowledge,
money had been bequeathed elsewhere,
Thich would have gone to Brightlook
Hospital Its permanency had been eyi.
lent to all. When once the people rec
'gnize it as an institution that is Ger.
AMY fixture among us, such gifts will
urely come to it.
Mr.. Dunnett was followed by Frank
l. brooks, who outlined the plan OF Sc.
uring the equivalent OF 100 ten.dollar
nnual pledges, these pledges to be per-
etual until Cancelled by the makers, thus
assuring the hospital $1,000 90 per year.
was suggested that rs per cent of this
money should be set one side each wear.
$ permanent hospital building fund.
ar. Brooks also read a proposition
'om an unknown party donating
o 600 to the hospital on condition that
lo'ooo more is raised within three
ears from Jan. 1, 1905, that none of
be $l5 OO00 should be used for the
urchase O. building lot, or tor the run
ing expenses OF the hospital
Kew. E. M. Chapman was in fall sympa.
ny with all that had been SAID. and
,ev. DR.. 5. g. Barnes introduced a reso.
'tion that 1t was the sense OF the meet
lg That canvass of the town should he 1
lade to secure pledges for the $1,000.
AS the meeting was about to adjourn.
t. A. Kicker arose and spoke OF visiting I
le hospital many times when be had |
'latlves there, that he was always
vorably impressed with the care the S
atient received, that he believed the +
ospltal should receive the support of +
lie community, and that be would head C
subscription list to then and there can. t
4 theexlstiug debt of $61O. The suggest. t
N was received with enthusiasm. and t
f3o was pledged before the meeting adj. /
ufned. i
At the close of the citizens meeting q c
'eclal Hospital meeting was held at S
hich Rev. DR.. S. G. Barnes, E. M. Taft t
1. RItcbie and Richard c. Baker were il
led members OF the association. Fol a
wing this the adjourned annual meet t
G was held and the following officers v
acted. v
President, Frank H. Brooks. n
Vice President. Edmund M. Taft. t
Secretary and Treasurer, Richard c. a
aker. r.
Director, to fill unexpired term Of I'M.
len resigned, W. J. Aldrich, s
Directors for three years, Harvlin Pad.
ck' Perley F. Hazen, Edmund M. =.