Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-12-27
EXTRACTS FROM THE AUTO
BIOGRAPHY OF
ZANE GREY SWISSHELM
First Newspaper Woman Of
Minnesota.
A Remarkable Woman Of Ante
bellum Days-1015-1e65
CHI A PIT E r Tx.
Cost ~ 0r6or

In making molds and rests for man
gled limbs, l had large demands for
little cushions, and without economy
could not get enough. When one just
fitted a place wanted to keep it, and
to do this, must have it aired, per.
haps washed To avoid lint dressings
l hunted pieces of soft. table linen
gave to patients pieces to suit, and as
the supply was short they would get
nurses and surgeons to leave their
pieces OF linen, after dressing their
wounds until l should take charge
and have them cleansed for next time,
To do all this, l must use the grass
plats and ratings for airing and dry
ing cushions and rags. These plats
and ratings were for ornament, and
there was soon protest against put
ting them to "such vile USES" l had
gone into the hospital with the stupid
notion that its primary object was the
care and comfort Of the sick and
wounded. 1t was long after that
learned that vast majority of all
benevolent institutions are gotten up
to crafty the aesthetic tastes Of the
public; exhibit the wealth and gener'
osity of the founders, and furnish
places for officers. The benefciaries
Of the institutions are simply an apol
ogy for their existence, and having
furnished that apology, the less said
about them the better.
The surgeons of Campbell did real
ly want it's patients to be happy and
get we'll; but it was a model institu'
ton, with reputation to sustain; was
par of a system under general laws
which might not be broken with i'm
punity. There was no law against a
man dying for want Of sleep from pain
caused by misplaced muscle; but the
statutes against litter we're memorable
as those of the Modes and Persians.
The Campbell surgeons winked at my
litter, until one regular inspection
day, when my cushions and rags
clean and unclean, those marked John
Smith, and those labeled Tom Brown
were all huddled up and stuffed en-
masse into the pantry closet.
used to wonder If the Creator had
invented a new variety Of idiot, and
made lot in order to supply the army
with medical inspectors, or, if by some
cunning military device, the Surgeon
General had been able to select all
luOS6 dlAOuO VI OAAOAoA uA6
nifty and asinine stupidity, from the
open donkey-market of the world. In
speeding hospital was just like In
vestigating an Indian fraud. The man
whose work was to be inspected or
investigated, met the inspector or in
vestigator at the door, showed him all
he wished him to see and examine
witnesses wholly in his power-when
the inspected and inspector, the in
vestigated and investigator exchanged
compliments, and the public were
Kratif1ed to learn that all was in a
most gratifying condition of perfect
order.
One day we had particularly
searching inspection, and next day
nurse told me of some four new cases
which had been brought in week be-
fore, one of whom the inspectors said
was past hope l found his feet and
legs with a crust on them like the
shell of a snail; had piece Of rub
Der cloth laid under them, and with
tepid water, a good crash towel, and
plenty of rubbing, got down to the
skin, which rubbed we'll with lard
Then with fresh towels and water al
hand, l drew away the sheet in which
the patient had rolled his head, and
while l washed his head and arms
and breast, l talked, and he tried tC
answer; but it was some time before