The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1912-09-12
APPEAL MADE FOR
HOSPITAL DAY

the people of Hood River than the one
claiming our thought just now. For
the sufferer whose interests are at
stake may be your mother, your child
or yourself. To say the least he is
your brother or she is your sister
Who knows who will be the next vic
tim hastened to the hospital as a result
of frightened team or an automobile
accident? Again, are not any of us
liable to be smitten by some lingering
or subtle disease that can be checked
or cured only by the best treatment
that modern hospitals atford2
The foregoing paragraph taken seri-
ously kindles concern in all of our
hearts. Cultured, cosmopolitan Hood
River cares. Let US believe that the
sole requirement in this matter in
order to secure united action and i'm
mediate achievement is an awakened
conscience call to arms.
Hospital Day is the time when the
necessity and possibility of new hos
pital shall be considered. The splendid
business blocks that are so rapidly dis
placing the old frame structures, the
commanding high school building and
the beautiful modern railroad station
are but an index to the progressive
spirit that pervades the entire com
munity. We have rebuilt and remod-
eiled our churches that we might
better appeal to our fellows to worship
with u.s. We have borrowed funds
with which to purchase the city water
works. We are now bonding for street
Improvements and good roads. In
creased facilities have been made
throughout the valley for the handling
of our luscious fruit to the best advan-
| tage. Reference is made to these
significant improvements and changes,
not with a view to dispaIagement, out
with the fond hope that what has been
wrought may inspire us to dare and do
tor this most worthy enterprise.
Undoubtedly the best possible has
been done IN the past in the way Of
making hospital provisions for the
sick, but to do our best in the future
vast strides of advancement must be
made. The remodelling ct the present
building can be done for a few thous-
and dollars. The crowded wards as
well as the lack Of facilities and mod
ern equipment all clam0r for our
honest consideration Being without
an elevator in the building, the pa
tients, no matter how delicate in health
or how enfeebled by years, must be
carried up and down stairs, to and
from the operating rooms. Further
more, having no bell system the nurses
waste no little time and energy trying
to locate calls, while patients are
| waiting for their care. Last but not
least, 1t is self-eyident that these con-
tempated improvements will mean
much greater precaution against the
awful ravages of FIRE. 1t is stated bv
| good authority that the physicians have
/ incurred expense rather than derive a
! profit from the institution. The time
has come for every one to DO some.
thing. Think of il! Can Hood River
with her millions of wealth have such
gross neglects as these laid at her
door?
Those in the management of the
hospital do not ask alms-neitbpr
charity non philanthropy ask for
sha,, loan investments on the part of
us aIL For moneys received they pro-
pose TO issue receipts that are redeem
ab'e hy the Institution at the regular
hospital rates. 1t will incite greater
interest IN Hospital Day to look into
the records of the hospital for 1911 and
1872 During 1911 there were 2f5
patients enrolled - lS3 surgical 67
medical and 10 obstetrical. There
were nine deaths for the year. five
medical aud four surgical. Thus far
thls year PIG persons have neen en-
rolled-li3 surgical, 63 medical and II
o0stetrIcal, with a total of nine deaths
ln the light of these facts it is dus
oota nurses and physicians TO state
mat Tins IS remarkable showing
! As s. FINAL word, let us have a Hos
| Wtal Day worthy of aIl concerned
Let the board of directors indicate the
tme and arrange a program. let
special endeavor be made to arouse
inns vast cooperating territory. Fverv
professor and teacher will be olad to
ls'ng the matter before the schools an
mat day. A big mass meeting at
night 10 the Commercial clob rooms
Imported by the clubs. fraterrities
3ud churches will be a mighty impetus
toward the goal Concerted acton
"llI insure superb elimination
l9Wnlng Of better dav for tbs
| "0ic'ed 10 our midst. j. b. Parsons.