The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1910-01-27
THE HOSPITAL.
The Splendid Work Done by this In
stltutiOn and the Increasing
Demand Upon it.
NECESSITY FOR ENLARGEMENT.

w Heu tUe joseph Ndlll t1OSplldl
was first established in Bloomsbury,
there were many who were some
what skeptical as to its success,
but the great work that has been
accomplished there has more than
justified the expectations of its
founder and all who were instru-
mental i'll its creation.
Its limited capacity has been
constantly filled, and the demands
upon its services have been such
that many have not been able to
secure treatment there, though no
serious cases have ever been refus-
ed admission.
The Hospital has reached point
now where its enlargement is an
absolute necessity. This will re-
quire, a considerable amount of
money, and the only way that the
Hospital authorities can secure the
necessary sum is by the coopera-
ton of the public. A compare
lively small appropriation has been
received from the State, but this
sum has been more than expended
in the treatment of charity patients.
The Joseph Ratti Hospital is not
Bloomsbury institution. Patients
from every section of the county
and from adjoining counties have
been treated there, and its doors
have never been closed to any case
where it has been possible in any
way to make room for it.
An appeal will probably soon be
made to the public fer funds with
which to erect the new and enlarged
building necessary for its work, and
this appeal should be promptly and
cheerfully responded to by residents
of the county generally, as we'll as
by those in neighboring communi-
ties to which it is convenient, and
from which patients are willin ely
received up to the limit of the ca
paclty.
An appropriation of SIS, 900 was
made by the legislature at its last
session, but this was cut down 10
$4,000 by the Governor, and 1t will
be secured only OH condition that
$40, 900 more are raised by the Hos
pital during the present year. But
this will not be sufficient 10 make the
institution what it should be, and an
additional $2o.o 900 will be required
for the erection and equipment Of
the new building. Last year the ap-
preparation was $I57S.o2. The cost
to the Hospital for patients treated
free of charge was S22I6.46. We
append the financial report for
1909, and also the report of the
medical staff, both of which will be
found OF much interest.
FINANCIAL REPORT.
The financial report as submitted
by the superintendent is we'll worth
careful study. The total income
for the year was 81, 925.II, of which
sum 81, ,57S.o2 were received from
state appropriation; $26S.e5 from
donations; 81, ,o46.II from patients
and $I32.o3 from other sources.
The income was wholly expended
in the maintenance of the hospital.
There were 200 of what are termed
in-patients and 80 dispensary pa
tients treated during the year.
The in patients were treated in the
hospital tctal of 1880 days, which
would make an average cost per day
OF $I.47 2-3, or a cost per week OF
sIo.33. OF the patients treated in
the hospital II were charity cases,
IL were admitted as pay patients.
but failed to pay, and 8 have paid
but small portion of their bill.
This makes a total of 81 patients