Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-07-22

ny AL5ERT O. ROSS
SHOULD HAVE A COUNTY HOSPITAL
PUBLISHED EVERY rnURsDA

One of the best indications of an ad-
vancing civilization is the erection and
maintenance of a hospital for the care
and treatment of those who are afiict-
ed. Until a recent date none could be
found outside OF the larger cities.
Now, however, many Of the smaller
cities and country towns are making a
noble effort to provide q place and
means to care for the sick in their own
communities. Much good is being
done in this way, but the means and
facilities are much too limited to meet
the demands.
The Foley bill, passed by the last
general assembly, authorizes counties
to maintain county hospitals to treat
medical and surgical diseases; and
also to provide for the proper care and
treatment of patients having tubercu-
losis. Under this new law, which is
now in effect, every county In the state
may have its own hospital. In order
to C u it a petition signed by not
less than 200 freeholders shall be pre-
sented to the board Of supervisors,
asking that an annual tax shall be
levied to provide and maintain q coun-
ty hospital. When this has been done
according to the provisions OF the law,
the county board shall submit the
question to the qualified electors at
the next general election or at a spe-
cial election called for that purpose.
The tax shall not exceed two mills on
the dollar nor run for a period OF more
than 20 years in which to pay the bonds
issued to erect the necessary build
ings.'
If the proposition to levy q tax for
such purpose shall receive q majority
of the votes cast, the board shall levy
the same and issue bonds at suchtimes
and In such sums as may be necessary
to carry on the work. The board shall
also appoint seven trustees chosen
from the citizens at large with refer
ence to their fitness for such office,
three of whom may be women, all resi-
dents of the county; not more than
four of whom may be residents OF the
city, town or village in which the hos
pital is to be located. This board of
trustees shall have full charge of the
erection of the buildings and the run
ming OF the hospital in all its depart
ments.
The full import of the law may be
seen in the provision that such county
hospital shall be for the benefit of all
the inhabitants of the county and of
any person becoming sick or being In.
jured or MANNED within its limits. and
In the management of such public hos
pital no discrimination shall be made
against practitioners of any school OF
medicine recognized by the laws of
Iowa. 1t would be open to the poor
as we'll as the rich, the high as we'll as
the low. All persons able to do so
would pay the expense of their care
and treatment just the same as they
would at their homes. Those not able
to pay would receive just as much care
as the others, but without any charge.
This law furnishes a fine opportun-
ity to every county to care for It's own
people. Audubon county is near the
head of the list In alphabetical order
and should take the lead in setting q
good example for other counties to
follow. With a good hospital In Au.
dubon our people needing surgical
operations would not need to go to
Des Moines, Council Bluffs and
Rochester at a large expense, but
could have the operation performed
right here at much more reasonable
rates; and many who need attention
which they cannot get because OF the
expense would be treated and cared
for in the same efficient and kindly |
way. Let us be among the first coun-
ffaa - hav no m no.,NA, Ioo-s X