The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-01
IS NEEDED
FOR The |NCURABLEs
MRS. MARY A. NEWELL DISCUSSES
THE SUBJECT.
in Care Of Such Patients Points
Out Duty Of City Toward Unfor-
Inmates Who Are Hopelessly Ill and
Are Too Poor to Employ Nurses or
to Pay for Care.

In the agitation Of Mrs. Mary A.
Newell for a city hospital for incur
ables is seen one of the most potent
arguments for such an institution by
the advocates Of the principle that it
is the duty Of the city to care for the
hundreds Of unfortunates who are de-
MED treatment in hospitals because
! their ailments cannot be cured. Mrs.
Newell at present conducts a private
hospital for incurables at her home,
1920 Second avenue s, and it is argued
that if a person whose business would
be directly e~ncroached upon by such
an institution sees the need of the pro-
vision and even goes so far as actively
to support the movement, it must be a
woeful need.
Mrs. Newell does not hesitate to in
dorse the project for the establishment
of q hospital for incurables by the city
or the setting apart Of a ward for these
patients in the present city hospital.
To her credit it can be said that she
has devoted much time to arousing sem
timent favorable to the plan. She
severely criticizes the public for it's
disregard for the sufferers who are dy-
ing in squalor, too poor to obtain COM
forts and too sick to gain admission
into any regular hospital, even if they
have money. 4
No Room for Pity:
cit is a crying shame, this modern
strenuous life that leaves no place in
the hearts of men for the suffering on
all sides,' said Mrs. Newell. "There
are hundreds Of persons in attics or
other out of the way and dirty places,
whose lives are slowly passing away.
Their bodily suffering is intense, but
think for a moment of their mental an
guish. Knowing they are dying they
must helplessly suffer. For every per
son who receives ever half the care
he deserves I venture there are twenty
who are suffering in filth, neglected.
"Owing to this, shameful disregard
of the city paralytics are left alone to
wallow in the filth their helplessness
makes them unable to avoid. There are
hundreds of old persons with running
sores, whose minds have become affected
and these wounds remain uncleansed
until the sufferer becomes revolving.
In many cases the disgrace is upon
daughters and sons or other apparently
heartless relatives, but in most cases
| the un%fortunates are without connection
Or are poor, and hence it is the city's
shame. . -. .~ .
90 Care Is Constant.
"Wohldl that [ were rich so that I
could minister to-more.+ But I am poor
and am compelled to demand compen-
sation for treating these patients, who,
by the way, demand far more atten-
ton than a fever sufferer or the victim
of some other temporary ailment. Scores
of times [ have sent Associated Char
tiles visiting nurses to relieve suffer.
ers and have solicited state aid for 9th
ers. But / cannot assist all. The only
hope of these hundreds of victims of
incurable diseases lies in the city's
assumption of what I believe is one of
it's most important obligations.
/ 81 have gone to the mayor and to
prominent citizens with my plea for
early liquidation of this great debt.
[ have had some success, but I anu
panied to say that the realization of
the project seems almost as remote as
ever. Some have pleaded that they
have not time to undertake the great
task. To them / have replied that
would be willing to assume entire
charge Of a city ward for incurables
at a reasonable salary. These patients
demand peculiar care and my expe'
rience has been that to the average
nurse, service with incurable patients
is repulsive. I have cared for scores
and have found that special treatment
is necessary. Medicines are practically
useless; diet is the important thing.
Question of Room.
1T have been told that the city ha.
not room in the hospital for a ward fol
i%ncurables. To this objection I have
replied that I will accept patients SEN
to me by the city in my own hospita
at a remarkable low rate, if the city
chooses to pay for their care, but doe
not see a c~ity-owned building avail
able at present.
"Still others have seen the necessit,
for the city's taking immediate step
D to care for the ever increasing arm,
of incurables and have pledged thei
assistance, but there appears to be
lack of action to accompany the words
] have several patients in my care nov
and nearly all my time is needed here
but I am willing to do my part in tn
establishment of a hospital building 0
ward in a present hospital where incur
ables who cannot afford to pay for tn
treatment they deserve may be care
| for.
"But my motives are not mercenary
: / will support the movement to hav
the city care for the incurables, tho
; may understand from the start that
am to receive no position under the sys
tenn. I have found that m ventur
r here is not profitable and fear that
l soon will have to give up my hospits
for incurables, anyway. Then ther
would be no place for the unfortunate,
My deep sympathy for them and m
!. knowledge of the pain they suffer thr
neglect impels me to hope that the
: soon may receive the attention the
most certainly deserve"
!. RATS START FIRE