The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-01-02

ceasing labors have given Hammond
st. Margaret's hospital. have just fin
ished the most successful year in their
history and the following report of
their work for the year 1905 should
be read with interest by every citizen
who has at heart the good of the
hospital and the territory which 1t
benefits.
The Annual Report.
To the people of Hammond and Lake
county we take great pleasure in max
ing public this report of the work done
in st. Margarets hospital during the
year 1906. and at the same time also
to publicly express our gratitude to
the many friends and supporters as
well as the ever ready and pains-tak-
ing physicians, who have materially
aided us in making this the most pro-
Eressive and successful year in our
hospital.
At the beginning of 1906 1t had be-
come necessary that larger and more
complete apparatus for the careful
preparation and sterilization of the
needs in the operating room must be
provided at once, and in January we
installed a complete sterilizing outfit,
which now occupies the room next the
operating roetn. at a cost OF over x6Ao.
The wisdom OF this expenditure has
been thoroughly demonstrated in the
fact that in 1906 the number of opera
tive cases have more than doubled that
of any preceding year and our success
in these cases has eQualed that of any
Ahospital 4 in the state of Indiana, which
1--we believe is the best recommendation
TO the people of Hammond and this
vicinity that nothing obtainable is left
undone for the benefit, care and COM
fort of our patients.
| Our expense. including assessments
| this year have been exceedingly
| heavy and at times burdensome, and,
believing that some Idea of this neces-
sarv expenditure in conducting an In
stitution like ours would prove OF IN
terest to the public, we have appended
a small statement OF some of these
items. but many, many things not here
mentioned. though little in themselves,
in the aggregate amount to large
sums.
Douglas street improvement.
assessment ........s .s1,19S.61
/ Clinton street improvement as
sessment Observation-Disclosures. 1,16O.46
| Sterilization outfit .....-.... e6Z.oO
This year we have used as an aver
age per month: Meats, 1850 pounds;
potatoes, 40 bushels butter, ESQ
pounds; bread, 500 loaves; other gro
ceries. not included above, 5000; our
medicine cost at wholesale, 500 TO
$3.50: gauze and cotton and surgical
dressings, $50 to $3.50; ice, two and one
half tons; coal, one carload.
The above is only a partial list. but
gives to those interested some idea
Of the magnitude Of the expense In
conducting and caring for a hospital
such as ours.
During the year 1905 we cared
for in ALL five hundred and fifty three
patients, during the present year, this
number has been nearly doubled anc
we have cared for eight hundred anc
eighty-seven patients. More than hal
have been charity cases. Two-third
i Of this SS7 patients have been surgi
cal cases and the resulting improve
, ments and recoveries alone speak II
the highest terms for the ability o
the attending physicians to whom. 70
their untiring, pains taking and care
full efforts In behalf Of their patien.
and their many kindly suggestions 70
fare. we owe our deepest gratitude.
To the knights of Columbus an
Ladies' Rosary society-each this yea
having furnished a room, and to TIL
sewing circles, whose weekly assist
ance has aided US so much, We extern
our special thanks.
Twice during this year we have ha
seventy or more patients at one tim
: in our hospital. which Is not iarg
: enough to accommodate and care 70
this number comfortably, and some
: times we have been unable TO admi
{ those whom we considered deseryin
and needing our care. This oni
shows us the necessity OF enlargin
our institution and we intend, wit
I your assistance, TO make our hospits
E larger, just as soon as we can possibl
: obtain the finances sufficient TO begi
$ the additional construction. which "
0 earnestly hope viii be within the com
: ing year.
c Promising to you our every endeay
: or to care for the sick and inJure.
impartially and unfalteringly. be the
e rich or poor. white or black. Of what
y ever religion. sect or creed. and wit
Q lxindest wishes to all for Happy Ne
r Year.
: (Signedl
THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS.