Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-06-02
The Hospital Question.
Emporium, Pa, May 27, 1910

PSAihLb3 nss AiAoS 80 1ViO'
Editor Press
MY DEAR SIR
Appropos to the matter of hospital
in Emporium, which is being various
ly discussed through the town, wish
to present the following through the
columns of your paper:-There is diff
ference between a "kicker" and a
"knocker." The former is one who
protests, and he serves by putting on
the brakes, and helping to bring us to
more conservative mental attitude. A
'kicker" is needed in every commu-
nifty, to either wake up people on GER
tain things, or to offset the influence
of the over-zealous reformer or pro-
moter. On the other hand there is no
place for "knocker." He is a public
nuisance, and is as universally despis-
ed as are the dandelions on our lawns.
This little write-up concerning a hos
pital in Emporium was suggested by
the following 'scrap" OF conversa-
ton accidentally overheard ON the
street:
"Well il anything happens to any
one, they send him away anyhow"
"Yee, admit; but that is because
the people have the hospital idea"
"Well, if we had hospital here the
doctors in this town could't take care
of the cases sent there"
This brief dialogue demonstrates one
of the parties to be ''knocker" and
the other a conservator. The "knock-
er's" remarks wish to resent. The
conservator's remark is unfortunately
too true. The doctors of this town are
fully as competent as those of any
town in the State. They have per-
formed about all the surgical opera
tions to be performed outside of those
rare ones requiring the especial skill of
the specialist. These various operations
have been done in a quiet, dignified
manner in the homes of the patients,
andiwithout ostentation, blare of trum-
pets, or prattle of tongues. What is
more, they have been successful, not
in the sense that the operation was
completed, but in that the patient re-
covered, and was restored to normal
health. There has been no greater death
rate attending them any OF than in any
OF the best hospitals. They have also
cared for patients, after their return
home, who had been operated on by
specialists, and carried them safely
through their dangers, back to health.
For general sickness, the doctors of
this community can challenge the pro
duction Of better results from any
where, than have followed their efforts.
In all cases the doctors faith has been
that their work would speak for itself.
This is often a wise policy. Some
times however, mistaken one. 81
lenco is often misconstrued to the det.
rlment Of the one under discussion.
There ls time u speak, and time To
refrain from speaking, says Holy
Writ" The two men conducting the
conversation above referred to are in
nuential men In the community, and
u seemed 10 the writer TO be "a time to
speak" II the "knocker' Ia this con.
veraaiiou represented tho thought Of
the community, Il Is a mlsrepfessnta-
ton needing correotioni aud the aFgu-
ment for Withholding support to
hospital for such reason In fallaeious
one, aud should be summArlly dlamias
ed. Il Il surprising that any one, Who
10 supposed 10 think fairly, should
oiieF such an argument, aud more 80
that he should Willingly make such a
statement
There can be up doubt That the in
ailiutl0a of a hospital in a well organ.
lsi community ofsuHicIeal a.ze would