Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1915-11-02
INSTITUTION ISACRED|T
DALLAS HOSPITAL MODERN IN
EVERY PARTICULAR.
Large Number of Resident Patients
Cared for During Past Twelve
month-Hospital Affairs.

One thing OF which Dallas and Poll
county has very just reason to bt
proud is its fine hospital. Few com
munities of this size are favored will
such an institution for the care ol
the sick and injured. Those doe.
tors of the county who have taken tlie
time to investigate conditions and
equipment here are liberal in tl.eir
support. Only year ago the build
ing was opened, after Dallas had put
up with small and not very we'll
equipped institution, and since the
opening more than $50 cases have
been handled under the direction of
Dallas and Polk county doctors, as
sisted by Miss Katherine Van Voor-
hees, manager of the institution. The
doctors erected the building, equip
ped it and turned it over to Miss Van
Voorhees,, whose career as a nurse and
director has been notable for its con-
nection with many large undertakings
and the wide experience she has gain
ed since leaving the Battle Creek san
tarium in Michigan, where she re-
celved training as professional
nurse. Modern, in action and equip,
ment, is a fact at the Dallas hospital,
and from basement to rafter every
thing is of the very best. The insti-
tuition has two fine wards with four
beds in each, and has eight private
rooms, which, if surroundings have
any bearing on the curing of disease
or the recovery of a patient from in
jury, should surely effect a speedy
recovery. These rooms, as well as the
wards, are excellently equipped with
the most up-to-date furnishings that
it is possible to secure. Plenty of
light and an abundance of fresh air
are two features that make the quar-
ters for patients very desirable. There
are accommodations for 16 patients,
and in emergency eases almost as
many more could be accepted without
great inconvenience. The death rate in
the county is very low and sickness
and injury is at a minimum, but in
spite of that the hospital has cared
for as many as thirteen patients at
one time. The average number being
cared for at one time ranges near
eight. Of the $50 cases brought to
the hospital not single patient has
died, with the exception of few that
were brought in too late. In several
instances patients far removed from
a Doctors care have been treated too
late to save the life, and they have
been brought to the hospital for emer-
gency treatment, with only one chance
in million of recovery being eff
fected. These are the only lives that
were not saved at the institution. Miss
Van VOORHEES, has been so busy at
times that as many as six nurses have
been employed, and there are usually
two or three at the hospital.
Practically all the patients of Polk >
county doctors are brought to Dallas.
The reputation made by the hospital !;
has been far reaching, and with ia =
cilities for caring for any case doc :,
tors have been even more willing to
trust their patients to the direction of =
Miss Van Voorhees, than they would u
be to send them to the many other !,
hospitals in the valley. In the in Il
stance of two or three doctors in a
where inter-city strife is =
so keen as to affect doctors senti- u
ment, the local hospital loses the cas-
es to the Salem hospital, but, withal, q
there are very few sick or injured who \
20 outside the county for treatment. ~
That such results should come from =
squabbles is unfortunate, =
put does not seriously affect the con- -
lition or progress of the Dallas hos ,' p'
oital. The emergency cases from the :.
Mills and railroad operations of the .,
county are all hurried here for treat ~
nent; they come from remote logging sI,
amps and surrounding cities. Black ~ y,
Rock, where the lumber industry con- ="
ributes many injuries; Falls City 80
where accidents are traced also tC :.
umber operations, and from the local %
mill and railroad work come casei /,
hat keep the staff at work through. .n n'
nut the year.
The large building is designed es-
,ecially for the work that is carried on
herein. From the furnace to the 20
hingles on the roof the building is Ga
auipped with the sole idea of making
f it what it is, the equal or superior tr,
f any hospital, regardless of size, in We
he Willamette valley. OF course, tai
hings are on a smaller scale than in pr
be larger hospitals, but there is none at
hat is better prepared for the treat We
lent of the various troubles and all he
rents that come to the attention of a
he medical profession. Starting with
be full-cement basement, and going
ntirely through the building, there is
tile left to be desired in the way of Al
quipment or arrangement. The kiteh- a
q and house dining room are in Or
he basement. The dining room is Nj
leasant, and an abundance of light, sta
Of the entire structure, fin
ust make the meals that are served An
lere more palatable. The kitchen is Sil
,omy and up-to-the-minute. A huge E.
lnge, going full blast most of the bel