The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-26

est medical school of the state as her
| part of the University of Alabama work,
but such a school is not practicable here
unless there are clinic opportunities for
the students. Free dispensaries offer
such clinics. Here the poor of the city
come and are treated for their incipient
diseases without charge for medicine or
treatments
A great group of the best skilled and
busiest physicians of the city give
, gratuitously every day. some of their
time in caring tenderly and sympatheti-
cally for the needy who come to the dis
pensary. The students look on and help
learn. The present cramped dispensary
learn. The present cramps dispensary
facilities are inadequate for the students
and do not begin to serve the city as
they should. The opportunity for secur-
ing fine up-to-date dispensary equal
to that in connection with Yale univer-
sity or any of the great colleges is now
knocking at the door of Birmingham.
This city is not In the habit of turning
deaf ear to such appeals and oppor-
tunities DIR. Denny tells why Birming-
ham should embrace the opportunity,
why she will be failing in her duty to
herself unless she does The letter fol-
lows
"Culpepper Fxum ESQ., Chairman of the
Executive Committee, University Free
Dispensary, Birmingham, Ala:
MY Dear Mr.. Exum-Some months ago
in an address delivered before the Cham.
Der of Commerce In Birmingham, [ ut
tered these words: This city has period
| ically heard the cry of human need and
the call of human opportunity, and It's
| response has always been in the spirit
of men engaged in increasing their best
Investment rather than In the spirit of
men who are merely doing out charity.
I did not at that time know that the
next great test of the civic patriotism OF
Birmingham would involve a matter in
which I am both officially and person
ally so deeply concerned.
Greatest Present Need
! '"The greatest present need of Birmlng
ham is centrally located, easily access
sible, reasonably adequate, free dispen-
sary. The newly created graduate school
of medicine of the University of Ala
bama is by all odds the best agency to
administer this great benefaction for the
! simple reason that it commands an ideal
location and is controlled by disinter-
ested trustees of the highest standing and
| character.
Here is an appeal that goes directly
i to the heart of humanity, affecting all
classes and conditions of men. Here Is
cause that profoundly concerns the
/ entire community. Every citizen. re-
gardess of sect and party, will surely
, desGe to rally to this great human call.
! mo intelligent man will question the
| fact that out-patent work is today the
most important and the most neglected
part of medical service. l make this
statement in spite of the fact that in
the. three great cities of New York, Chi
cago and Boston the out-patient depart
ments and reputable dspensares are
providing service for $500 coo people. and
are expending annually at least 100000.
i There is a sound philosophy in the
modern demand for adequate dispensary
service. 1t pays in many ways. 1t con-
serves the most precious asset of any
community, the health of it's citizens. A
| hospital is no longer regarded as a lux