New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1916-10-18
HOSPITAL IS GREAT
ASSET TO THE CITY
Importance Shown at Meeting Of
Woman's Board Today

hospital were made today at the an
! Hospital Board.
| A review of the reports proves
| that the hospital is one of the most
helpful institutions in the city and
is deserving Of credit and support.
The reports follow:
Miss Bingham's Report
The report Of Miss Bingham is as
follows:
1--WE are again assembled together.
an interested body of workers, to
look back over the months now gone,
in order that we may know what
has been accomplished for the insti-
tuition which engages so much of our
thought and attention. Our officers
and directors who have made their
quarterly visits with regularity are
familiar with the changes which have
occurred in twelve month, but with
out doubt the larger number of those
here today have never felt it neces-
sary to give their personal attention
to the hospital and so are unacquaint-
eo with present conditions. It would
be an interesting thing for all who
have not done so to take a little time
and visit the hospital.
THE way in which the private
house, that could only be remodeled
into small hospital has grown into
the present large plant, is a matter
of interest and pride. The operating
rcom too, with an equipment Sec
ond to none in the state, and the
smaller room adjoining it for emer-
gency cases would be we'll worth
YOUR inspection. You will remember
that in all our previous reports we
have spoken of the congestion exist
ing because of a lack Of space, and
&C last the time has come when these
conditions are considerably improved.
1t was after much thoughtful con-
sideration that the executive board
decided that it would be best to make
use of the buildings situated on hos
pital ground, also to join these build
ings to the hospital proper by means
of a covered bridge. One of these
houses is used for the children and
Is pleasant, neat and up to date in
every respect. 1t is change for the
better when we recall the fact that
the little ones were obliged to be
treated in the wards, many times
with their elders witnesses of scenes
which were not for their childish
eyes. This house accommodates COM
fortably about a dozen children and
we shall all be willing and even anx-
ious to do what we can to help in
the maintenance Of this house which
is so much needed. The maternity
cases, too, have been treated in the
main building but there has never
been space enough to do justice to
the many people who have needed
care.
The second building is now made
over into maternity house and pre-
sents a very attractive appearance.
The rooms are of good size. we'll fur
nished, with a fine outlook. The row
of little cribs with the name Of each
baby fastened to it. is one of it's in
tcresting features. But all these i'm
provements mean a larger institution,
more equipment more service and
very much greater outlay of money
than ever before. Our opportunity
to serve the hospital is now greater
than in previous times. While speak
ing to the assistant matron regarding
the changes, Miss DesJardins re-
marked that now more graduate
nurses will be needed and several
more pupil nurses will be required to
train for future service. On the even
ing of October twelve, thirteen young
ladies graduated from the chapel OF
the First church. AS usual our board
rem en- bered them with flowers. In
the management of any home when
the working force is satisfactory, 1T is
usually considered desirable to have
as little change as possible SO that
the equilibrium of the home may be
maintained. So it is with our hos
TN, I, C1Cfo MT
matron, the nurses and those who
take care of 1t are like one large fam
lily and it is a matter of congratula-
ton that our matron remains at Its
head and that she continues to be
helped in her duties by Miss DesJar-
dins We cannot too greatly ap-
preciate efficient service. 1t may be
OF interest to the members of the
! board to know that through the heat
| ed summer months Miss DesJardins
| has been engaged in taking a course
of study in New York which will be
| of great value, not only to herself,
| but to the student nurses who will be
| under training in the coming year.
| We have been very much pleased to
note the ready response from the
| churches to the call for bed linen. 1t
| used to be our custom to provide
| money enough from the treasury to
| furnish linens, and it was certainly a
| great expense. The cooperation Of
I these churches has been most graft
| flying to US and now that we have ad-
| ditional rooms, very much more will
| be required. We earnestly hope that
! during the fall and winter, the Wom-
ems societies represented in these
| churches will again lend us their
assistance, giving as generously as
they can to this good cause. In addi-
ton to bed linen, we have had many
contributions of nightingales, kimon-
as, bed shoes, socks, and other ar
ticles needed for the sick room. All
these gifts have been most acceptable.
"Regarding our private rooms, we
can only state that from the space
l 0nn1,raiad h1r q to- 4