New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1916-10-18

IlenCS Will be all that CAN De eApooHoo'
"A word about life memberships. Inc
| treasurer's report will sho" tnaI seV-
eral gifts of twenty-five dollars each
| have been received and we welcome all
| such contributions. Last year our free
| bed fund was completed, thus enabling
! us to use the bed every day in the
year. In hospitals of any size there
are usually several free beds and con-
seuuentIy several free bed funds. In
time it will be advisable to start a sec
ond free bed fund, but just at pres
ent our attention Is being centered on
the increase of the fud for the chill
dre's house SO that we may be able
to bear our part in supplying neces-
sary things as they are needed later
on. One of our interested friends sent
check of one hundred dollars for
! this purpose. What can we better do
than to give generously for the sick
children who are inmates of the hos
pital? The contagious ward fund at
| present remains intact. We greatly
need place where such diseases can
be treated but it appears to be out Of
the question to deal with that subject
now; SO we must wait with patience
until the time comes when we can
make suitable provisions, and then our
fund will be OF great help.
I'm regard to the Jane e. Case bed
we can simply say that like the free
bed, it Is in almost constant use and
we can never know how many in our
city have been benefited by having tbs
privileges extended to them One of
cur needs has been for wheel
chairs and RS. Justus A. Traut volun-
teered to provide one at her own ex-
pense, two more being furnished by
our board and paid for from our treas
ury. The executive board seems to ap-
preciate the financial assistance which
our board renders from time to time.
Each year we contribute something to
their treasury for current expenses. In
February under the supervision of
Mrs. Hungerford and her able assist
ants a card party and thes dansante
was given at Booths hall and netted a.
larger sum than at any pdevious after
noon entertainment in the history of
the hospital On the afternoon of Nay
twentysecod. Mrs. Traut etertained at
at her home officers, directors and
members Of various committees. Many
tables were prepared for bridge whist
and as usual all enjoyed the afternoon
spent with our hospitable hostess.
Nov in reference to our ambu-
lance service. Many years ago sew
eral people who were interested in the
hospital presented private ambulance
which has been in constant use until
quite recently. but it Is now out Of
com mission and our police am bulance
has to be called What a blessing 1t
would be If we could again have our
own ambulance used only for hospi-
tai cases. In one of our meetings
there was such a strong feeling ex-
pressed that Mrs. J. B. Minor gave five
dollars a starter for an ambulance
fund, and Mrs. j. A. Traut pledged
the same amount. At a later meeting
the sum was Increased to $145. Ger
tainly a step in the right direction. At
Thanksgiving an appeal is always
made for preserves, flowers, fruits
and delicacies of all kinds and the re-
Spouse is a credit to our generous pub
lie, but such contributions are used
at all times during the year in large
quantities and with SO many to pro-
vide for, the shelves are often found
empty. Here is certainly a very prac-
teal way Of helping the hospital We
wish to make particular mention Of
the work Of the Sunshine society. In
eight months eight hundred oranges
were distributed to the patients. A
representative of the society always
visits the institution and presenting
the fruit herself. We also remcm-
Der with gratitude the work of the
Needlework Guild of Maple Hill whH
sent us generous supply of linen last
fall, and as usual our annual check CT
one hundred dollars from Mrs. Strong
was received and much appreciated.
We seem to have many gifts of money
on the occasion of the annual card
rf1 RI al hi,
will show that this year is no excep-
ton. In addition to this we note a
contribution of ten dollars from Mrs
A. N. Lewis, two dollars from Mr..
Richard Vogel and five dollars ut
Christmas from Mrs. w. G. Hunger
ford.
There has been some little dis
cussion at our business meetings re-
garding the care of patients after they
leave the hospital. In many instances
when dismissed they still need atten-
ton. Whether it would be possible for
the visiting nurse to get in touch with
such cases is a question. It would
appear at times to be advisable.
"A word regarding the books at the
| hospital Not long since one of our
| ladies, at that time a director of the
! board, collected number of volumes
which are used a great deal. 1t would
be appreciated If other books of a la
ter date could be added to the collec-
ton already on hand. With all our
improvements there is still something
which Mrs. Bassett feels the need of,
and that is a class room for the
nurses where not on1 construction in
nursing can be given, but also whore
| cooking can be taught in the best pos
sible way. There is space under the
operating room and work has already
been started. Meanwhile with a hospi-
! tai now twice the size of the original
building, and twice the equipment,
each one of us can find some practical
way of helping the institution during
the year now before u.s.
| "Respectfu1ly submitted,