New-York tribune., 1907-12-17
FOR HOSPITAL REFORM
CITY PLANTS CONDEMNED.
Charity Organization Society Makes
Sweeping Criticism.

The Charity Organization Society condemned the
present medical administration of the municipal
hospitals, with the exception Of Bellevue, in IN
qualified terms yesterday in recommendations to
the commission appointed by the Mayor to submit
plans for the bettermenI of the hospital service.
The condemnation principally the ground
that the present system OF having unpaid visiting
surgeons and physicians and unpaid house staff
IN charge of the hospitals, both of which were con-
tnually changing made 1t impossible to have
really responsible head. and resulted In waste of
money and lack Of scientific and educational pro-
gress.
The commission met in the United Charities
Building. D. Clinton L. Bagg presiding.
The recommendations of a special committee Of
the Charity Organization Society, consisting of DR..
Edward 7. Devine, DR.. T. c. Janeway, DR.. S. F.
Hallock and Homer Folks, ex-Charities Commits
sioner. were read by Dr.. Devine and DR.. Janeway.
The society, in the part of the report given by
Dr. Devne. approves the plan already proposed
for central ambulance station with various
branches and the control of the ambulance system
vested in city department under a single head.
In case of accident the central station would be
informed. and il would order ambulance TO the
scene from the nearest sub2station.
The society indorses the plans already approved
for the enlarged Bellevue, which provide for be-
tween 150o and 1900 beds. and would not reduce the
capacity below these figures, has been suggested
The recommendations called for new reception
hospital on the West Side TO the situation at
Roosevelt Hospital. 1t pointed out that there
vice between Roosevelt and ]. Hood Wright hos
pitaIs on the West Side. and that Roosevelt Hos
pital for many years had been overtaxed.
The society is in favor of single headed depart
ment, the Department OF Public Hospitals. TO take
charge of all the hospital work now in charge of
the trustees OF Bellevue and Allied Hospitals, and
the Charities Department including the Alrnshouse.
which the society considers is really hospital.
DR. Janeway, in reading that portion of the rec
concentrations dealing with the medical administra-
ton OF the city hospitals said that, with
Pail 90 hpl1t
that 1t was the laughing stock Of the country.
The hospitals were In charge first of a staff OF
attending physicians and surgeons. who were not
paid: assistant attending staff not paid and a
house staff not paid There RESPONSE
bic head, the attending staffs being only nominaiy
responsible for the whole and individually RESPONSE
bic for their respective wards
The traditions and customs of the house staff,
which really was in control made 1t as impossible
to make any change in method it was for coli
lege faculty to rule the traditions and customs of
the student body
The house staff, he said. was expected assume
all responsibility for routine economical admnistra
ton This resulted in waste, and there never
would be anything but waste until the city paid
the men in charge of its hospitals There was
no economic standard. economic uniformity.
The fact that no salaries were paid or where they
were paid were very low, meant waste and dis
honesty; meant responsibility.
The frequent changes in the attending stats al
lowed fixed teaching methods. New York City
hospitals contributing nothing medical SCI
ence The records of all the city hospitals, save
Bellevue, he called disgrace.
Hospitals he went on. should be concerned the
prevention and OF disease, tho most efficient
economic treatment. the education of medical
and the contribution Of new medical knowledge.
The society. he said. willing to draw up q
detailed plan for the eliation OF the city hospitals
and the three universities which teach medicine, II
the commission desired.
The commission. which was much pleased with
the recommendation OF tho society asked that the
society submit such plan.
Il voted that the heads of the police and fire
departments meet the committee al its next meet
ing TO consider the Improvement of the system OF
calling ambulances. The telegraph companies will
also be requested TO cooperate In the mean time
a special committee Will be appointed 10 report on
the suggestions that have been heard
Health Commissioner Darlington wanted one
head for the hospital service.
What we want and must have" said the com
missioner. 'fs whom can hold
responslble-some one upon whom place
our finger the Of the other depart
uents have"
We'll. the Governor has put his finger one
of these men," said Charities Commissioner Heb
berd And, while you planning TO make all
these hospital improvements. don't forget that
Brooklyn wants to in for something. as well
as Manhattan and The Bronx. The people are
going to Brooklyn these days