The Washington times., 1914-04-12
Wornans Clinic Meets Needs Of Those Who Are Above
"Chariy" Yet Are Unable to Pay Physicians Fees
Scientific Institution, Conducted
by UnseIfish Capital Wo.
men Quickly Demonstrated
Its Usefulness.
Needy Girl, Mother, or Child
Gets Best Treatment Free
or at Nominal Cost Without
Suffering Pauper's Shame.

The Womdn's Clinic Au1ili-
any, filling a unique field in the
Capital, has rounded out sir
months of its existence. Regard
ed BY some at its inception as
impracticdble and unnecessary,
the institution already has ST.
fenced its opponents and justified
its existence.
Human interest stories in con-
nection NTH it abound iE its so
brief history. NeW theories, in
cludiHg the psychology of coIors
as they affect patients, have been
tried out there. Sociological
data of far-redching importance
is being collected.
By ]. R. HILDEBRAND.
A tired. harassed looking woman.
all nerves" haltingly made her
way into the large home-like recep-
ton room of the woman's clinic aux
iliary, at 7l6 Thirteenth street. She
seemed on the verge of a
hysterical outburst. She shift
ed about nervously for a few
minutes. then she said she could not
wait, and started to go out. A SYM
pathetic, kind woman in charge
spoke a few soothing words In a
short time her turn came to consult
the physician.
The surroundings here are so
pleasant and So restful that I feel
better already" she said In a firmer
voice.
The next day a child was brought,
unwfllingly, to the same room. It
was allowed to look about, and then
II was taken to the child hygiene
room That room seemed to interest
the youngster even more. 1t was
furnished in bright, CHEEKY colors,
with no suggestion of the cold grays,
and the chilling white filing, of the
average office. From there II was
taken to the Immaculate operating
room.
why, mamma, would not mind
having the doctors here treat me-
the child, hitherto in deadly ter
ror Of a physicians office. exclaim-
ed The child had not seen a doc
tor but the atmosphere was enough
10 dispel her fears.
These two examples sustain the
claim Of the directors of the Wom-
is q real. concrete practical matter,
not a classroom theory.
SpranI From Big Idea.
This clinic is the outgrowth Of a
big Idea, or, rather, a series of big
IDEAS. Some OF these ideas have stood
the prsgnatic test already, meaning
they have worked. others yet are to
be developed
Idea No. ] was that somewhere be-
tween the INDECENT poor, already ta-
@~NA N1- Q VI Uy llC h6SOILdlCQ NHdTl-
ties. and the persons able to pay a
regular physicians fee. there is a
large group who will not accept
charity. but cannot meet the usual
charges OF doctors. It was thought
that in Washington there is an un-
usually large number Of salaried
persons whose entire wage is taken
up by actual living expenses, Ieav-
ing no margin for emergencies like
sickness.
The soundness Of that idea is at
tested by the report OF the superin-
tendent DR.. Elnora c. FoIkmar,
made yesterday afternoon before the
directors board. in which It is shown
that lao different persons have gone
10 the clinic for treatment, that a
total OF more than 500 visits were
made to the clinic. and that about
100 outside visits were made to cli-