Alaska sentinel., 1905-10-26
Rates.-
LET'S IA PE A HOSPITAL.


 public hospital at Wrangell has been suggested We can not see why such tn institution would not be good thing "a benefit to the community and also so the party or association who would establish it. There is now practically no place of refuge for those who are un- fortunate in being stricken with sickness or injury, and there is often case of extreme injury among those who follow the various pursuits in this section. There are quite good many small towns in this vicinity, and a hospital at Wran- gell would draw from them. Then the vast interior country sends down more br less sick and injured people, who, having no home here, have to get along as best they can until they can be taken to Seattle or some other far-off hospital.
 The government pays out each month $32 for the care and maintenance of each insane patient. There are about forty of these patients, so the annual expense for their care amounts to $15,360. Be- sides this amount it costs from $100 to vastly more to transport each patient to the Mount Tabor hospital where they are at present kept. A contract is let 1for this service for period of tour years, iso it is very reasonable to estimate the '2ost to the government at $l00,000 in four years for the care and transportation of the Alaskan insane. Another fact which should be considered is that some of these poor unfortunates are taken far away from their relatives and friends, whose occasional visits would tend to brighten and cheer the patients. These patients can be given better care for less money near to their homes and friends in Alaska than in some distant hospital, and tEe government would be saved the expense and trouble of further transpol- tation. The writer is intimately ao- auainsed with nH. Williamson, who is ! at the head of the institution in which Alaska's patients are cared for, and knows him to be absolutely honorable. But there haze been many instances of patients having been kept in such insti- tutions after complete recovery, for the pecuniary gain to the management.
 There is large fund set aside by the government for use in caring for those who are entitled to the benefits of ma rine hospital. There are great many meh of the sea, here and hereabouts, and there is no doubt but that some of ehis fund would be used here in case a good hospital were established. It is even possible and quite probable that marine surgeon would be appointed for marine cases in such hospital.
 There are different manners of secur- ing hospital, viz: By the government, by a syndicate of local capitalists, by popular subscription, or induce some : private party to establish one, but by ao means do we want a sectarian insti- tuition. Wrangell has two skilled phy- sicians, either one of whom is competent ! to take charge of the most desperate medical or surgical cases, and it is great wonder that somebody with capi- | tai sufficient does not establish hospi- 5al and then put in bid for the insane and marine cases. We have the most healthful and invigorating climate in the world we have lumber right at our doors; we have good physicians; we have young ladies and young gentlemen who would make admirable nurses and attendants; we have, numerous sites for hospital; and if anyone can inform us why good hospital at Wrangell would not be a benefit to this entire d. sisiQn and develop into a paying institu- tion,, Che columns of this paper are open to him. We solicit suggestions, and in- tend to "harp" on this subject until we get suggestions.
 UTT IS APPJT TJTNG '