Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-12-30
MILLIONS FOR MEDICINE.
The Wealthy Men are Doing a Great
Work for Humanity.

a wealthy New Yorker has just
celebrated his golden wedding anni-
versary by gift to the Presbyterian
Hospital in that city of S1,000,000.
Locally the gift had special signifi-
canoe because the same individual had
previously contributed 100000 for
home for nurses attached to the same
hospital.
But there is much wider influence
radiating from great donations like
this for the improvement of facilities
for studying disease and for the COM
fort of those who are devoting their
lives to the same cause of humanity.
The dominant note today among
physicians is one of hopelessness.
They believe disease can be bafIled and
the number of deaths from disease
can be greatly curtailed. The funda-
mental steps necessary to this success
are, first, a knowledge Of the actual
causes of particular diseases, and Sec
ond, the discovery of the elements
which will bring the cure.
TO that end there is large amount
of research work now in progress ali
over the world. Keen scientists are
busy in laboratories as never before.
Now and then one emerges from his
study to announce a coming victory.
Medical men know what is going on
and await the results with confidence.
Occasionally a thoughtful student
attempts to estimate the economic
loss resultant from needless deaths
following some particular disease. His
figures are startling.
The suggestion is natural one
that the man of wealth who has an
anxiety TO use his accumuations most
wisely for the benefit of his day and
generation might we'll turn attention
to the domain Of medical research.
The establishment of libraries has
distinct value to the great majority
eager for good books to read. The
endowment of colleges and UNIVERSE
ties for better education is praise
worthy. The encouragement of re-
search in the sciences is sure to be
beneficial to the race. Geology,
chemistry, astronomy, botany, in fact
every branch of science. has ITS
promise of rich returns to humanity
sure to come from thorough investlga-
ton.
But there is something so attractive
in the possibilities of medicine that it
is surprising that great gifts Tor II
have not been made everywhere. 10
save human life. to make tnat lie
richer and happier. to check the &C.
onomic waste due to sickness and
death. ought to prove themselves the
highest inducements to lead those Wh"
have money to give to devote 1t to the
work of research in medicine.
The millions are coming in recent
wears. Hospitals are being endowed
and well equipped. Laboratories are
being established with sufficient 1undS
to secure the services of the best spec
ialists available.
The new gift oc a 81 .ooo.oo" IS
fresh illustration of the recognition OF
the importance of this hopeful WORK
for humanity The lesser sums are
noted frequently. But the larger gilt
rroclaims the growing belief in the u
innate triumph of medical SCIENCE
over diseases which have long bailieu
the physicians skill.
The raising in New York OF more
than $300 900 to bring to that city the
tuberculosis exhibit recently made III
Washington is another indication ol
the same trend of the times.
1t is difficult to imagine wiser use
| of money than in these ways that
mean so much for the welfare OF the
race -