Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-08-16
Emergency Hospital Methods
By Frederic J. Haskin

DEATHS and permanent disabili-
ties resulting from accidental in
- juries have been lowered 40 per
cent. in every large city within
the last twenty y-hVe years. This grati-
flying accomplishment is due chiefly to
the increase of emergency hospital IA
cilities.
The emergency hospital and dispen-
sary places the best surgical and medi-
cal skill and the most improved scien-
tific apparatus within immediate reach
of every person who lives near such ar
institution. The lives of thousands oil
people are annually saved by the emer-
gency system, while hundreds of thous-
ands who might otherwise be hopeless
cripples are restored to full health and
vigor.
The emergency hospital now complet-
ing its equipment in Washington, D
c., typifies the latest and best ideals OF
an institution designed primarily fol
emergency work. Accidents. attempted
suicides. sun or heat prostrations, acute
attacks of temporary illness. and
drunkenness, are the disabilities most
frequently regarded as emergencies
Prolonged illness. chronic diseases and
obstetrics are not regarded as emer-
gency work Under ordinary conditions
such patients are turned over to 9TH
of the emergency hospital may be kept
available for the class of cases com.
ing within its speciality.
A small emergency hospital now. Is
considered a necessity in most biz
manufacturing establishments. as vel
as in connection with mines and other
large industrial plants. Department
stores have felt it incumbent upon then
for years to make this provision fol
the welfare of their employees and Gus.
toners The city feels compelled tc
provide emergency hospital service foi
all of its people as a part of its public
safety measures. While most general
hospitals do large amount of emer.
gency, work, the added efficiency af-
forded by an institution designed par
tlcularly to give this class OF relief. has
been recognized as of economic advant-
age.
Many Glasses of InturIcs
The injuries treated include every
class. They range in Importance from
the most trifling to those endangering
life OFTEN they require a battle with
death not likely to be encountered else
where by physician or nurse.
A small boy may slightly burn his
hand with a toy pistol, while his mother
may receive fatal burns from attempt
Ing TO refill her gasoline stove which
cut her little finger while preparing
meal, or her husband may almost sever
his 1ugular vein as he is shaving. A
seadng 9 may some Dursr snd IN an engiEneroom
the scrap iron resultant from the ex.
plosion. A woman may swallow a bi.
chloride tablet by mistake or her baby
may get hold of rat biscuit. Two mer
may get into street fight and one OF
them receive a broken skull
drunken man may be found in a gutter
or reeling upon the street, or a mar
or woman may go suddenly insane
These are examples of the condition.
relieved daily in emergency hospitals
Ihe service is always prompt. eff.
fam,t, H1ent ana ana paaiinstaking no matter how
fers from lack of service because he Is
unable to pay for 1t. In a sense the
emergency hospital must be even more
n n q mo lN-NH L.
hospitals because II has no choice OF
patients. 1t must treat all alike Mos
OF the expense is paid from public
funds; tI II usually is allied closely will
rect touch with the police department
which frequently has one or more of
hcers assigned to duty at the institu
tion.
When any unusual event brings ar
extraordinary crowd of people together
the emergency hospital service is call
ed into action. Provision is made t.
give instant care to any who may re
quire IT, Frequently stations under tn,
direction of hospital physicians anf
nurses are established near the scene
OF action In order that prompt service
may be offered.
Provisions For Emergencies
Al the Harvard Yale football gam,
last ran, when the largest crowd eve,
ness an athletic event was gathered. 6
special provision was made by the New
Haven City Hospital to insure thu
safety of the 10000 spectators of tht
contest played in the Yale Bowl" BE
fore the game began. a Harvard stu
dent, suffering from ptomaine poison
ing, was rushed to the hospital and BY
evening was ready to hear the returns
of the game. A man being run down al
the station occasioned another urgent
call. Several women tainted from ex.
citement. The service proved such 8
boon that no big game ever will be
played again in New England without
emergency hospital provision.
In Washington, at the time OF presi.
Dental inaugurations, emergency hos.
pital work is an important feature OF
the safety provisions made by the In.
augural Committee for the thousands
of visitors. Hospital tents are erected
at the most important points and q
corps of trained nurses and physicians
are ready to administer first aid treat.
ment to anyone in need.
Emergency hospital service is not
confined by any means to the big build
ings under that name in which many
of the most efficient doctors and
nurses have had and are receiving theil
training. Hospital cars. motors and
tents, such as are now sheltering the
Red Cross activities in the war zone
represent the highest type of emer.
Eency work because of the new prob.
lens to be solved upon each battle,
field.
French Motor Hospital
The French motor hospital b. ial ~