Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-04-11
IN the BABY WARD.
Twisted Limbs, Appealing
Eyes,Outstretched Arms.
What One Sees to Touch the
Heart in ChiIdren's Hospital.
An institution That Is the Nope and
Salvation Of Many a Home.

| Miss Eva l.. Shorcy, who is we'll
known to Augusta people, having
been employed in the executive depart
ment at the State House for 4 num-
Der Of years. has the following con-
corning the baby ward of the Chill
dren's Hospital IN the Portland sun
/ Gav Telegram:
| Have you ever visited the baby
ward in the Children's Hospital in
this City? If You haven't, then lose
no time, hut go al once and II you do
not feel a tightening Of the threat and
n moisture Of the eyes as you see
those II dear little children, in their
spOtless white cribs, then your heart
has reached a state OF inaction. and
yoT should consult a physician at
once! And when you further realize
that unless the necessary funds are
forthcoming to continue this grand
| philanthropic work of the hospital
and that these babies, and 50 or 50
other children with them. will be sent
back to their respective homes. and
the treatment begun for them cannot
be carried to its fulflment. then you
understand the real heart-rending
crisis which is being faced by tile
, management of the hospital If you
are anything like the writer after
calling on these patient infant suf-
ferers, you will resolve to do anything
and everything you can to help raise
the necessary funds to carry on the
work and to interest each person You
meet in the imperative need of keeping
| the hospital open for the crippled chill
| dren of the state.
SHOULD YOU make the call which we
have suggested, no doubt the nurses
will tell you about the different babies.
some OF whom have already begun TO
look 1T you in that tenderly appealing
way which babies have, and which in
stantly finds the door into your heart.
| and you are smiling back, perhaps
through mist of tears. There's no
way Of getting round it when baby
| sends one of those hypnotic chances
and if, added to it. is an outstretchins
of the tiny arms. WELL you might as
we'll surrender at once. For a Grip
pied baby is even moro appealing than
a sturdy strong ent. You want t."
do ever thing .att can to make the
poor crooked limbs straight. and have
him gro. up into a n.s strong man.
This nar not be your baby, but he's
just IS dear TO somebody as your
strohs, healthy little son, who plays
out of doors all day when he isn't
tranfping over the house in his muddy
boots, Bless him. Then let us all
help, in whatever way we can,
There ere very kind nurses at the
Children's Hospital. They love the
children and the children love them.
They are kind to visitors, too, and will
snow Won the bright, sunshiny wards,
the Immediately kept rooms, and all
the ap-tc date arrangements of the
hospital Some of these faces are pale
and wan, as YOU see them against the
pillows, while other little ones greet
you with bright smiles and out
stretched arms, till you think for a mo-
nient YOU are in a big day nursery
and forget that there are little limbs
and bodies in plaster casts. and other
corrective methods used for the parts
that are twisted out of shape.
You are attracted to dear little
child with beautiful eyes and soft,
pretty hair. You go up to the crib.
and the nurse tells you that the tiny
feet are twisted, and that soon they
WIN nc SlTdISHttIletl, So lHdl the tIIliu
will later on have feet like other chill
dren's, and can run and romp with the
best of them. When YOU realize the
little fellow is only three years old,
your heart goes out still more in SYM
pathy for the brave little sufferer.
Still farther along is a little girl, with
such sweet face that you are instant
ly drawn to her. She is sitting up and
apparently is all right. but you find
there is a fracture which will not
unite, in the chubby leg, and treat
ment is being given so that it nay be-
come as strong as the other limb.
She is only a year and half old, this
dear little child. The great eyes have
locked deep into your heart and you
feel like gathering her up in your
arms, but just as you start to do So,
the nurse leads you gently away.
You next visit a case which makes
you catch your breath with sympathy
a year old baby with that awful trou
ble the ricketts,. There are several
cases Of this kind in the ward which
are being treated, and the pale, pinched
faces are truly pitiful.
''An Italian boy, with great black
eyes, looks at you from his crib. His
legs We're SO crooked that he couldn't
walk. At first the little fellow was
homesick-his- home is in Madison
and he grieved and cried, but now he
is mere accustomed to things and
feels quite willing to stay in his little
white bed. The doctors feel he won't
need braces when the treatment is
covp p!eted