The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1916-03-10
DOCTORS MAKE A
FORMAL STATtMDN
CONTINUED from page ~ z

the incidental benefits for the doctors
He pointed out that there was row
no public hospital in which a physa-
clan could be sure of securing &c
commodation for a patient and re
newed the proposition previously
made that the physicians take care
in turn of the poor, thus effecting a
saving to the county. This would not
abolish the office of county physician,
as there will be a class of work for
which there must be a county official,
but il would be possible to make
great saving in expenses, as the sew
eral physicians could take care of GER
tain cases found by them now requir-
ing the services of the county physi-
clan at their homes, as well as those
in the hospital
Commissioner Albee suggested that
the measure of success Of the plan
would largely depend on the conf
dence of the physicians in one an
other. in the lack of jealousy and I'm
the tact and judgment of the super
intendent and matron. Many people
who suddenly get sick do not know
which physician they want and Me
pend on the suggestion of others, afAi
superintendent would have to use ex
IRENE care so as not to discriminate.
He said that he heartily favored the
plan and believed that all the board
did, the only question being the
legality of the project, which would
have to be worked out if possible In
such manner that an injunction salt
might not be successfully maintained.
hot IN On{n{nn q OToslf
public benefit would be derived by the
public In providing a place where
operations could be performed on chill
dren whose parents could not afforY
to pay the cost total incidental 70
operations. The providing OF pfOce
for such operations and others bf a
similar nature would be great public
benefit.
Eleven physicians, representing
majority of the medical fraternity OF
Twin Falls county. presented plea
through their chairman, DR.. John +.
Coughlin, for the construction OF a
county hospital large enough to serve
as a general hospital, along the lines
previously outlined by former delega-
tons at meetings last month, and at
the close of the presentation OF the
arguments, appointed committee OF
seven, consisting of Drs Coughlin,
Pike, Alexander and Morgan OF Twin
Falls; DR.. Wetherbee of Bull, and Dr..
Dwight of Filler, to act as standing
committee to assist the county board
in forming plans for the inauguration
of the project.
This committee met the board yes
terday afternoon to further discuss
the proposition.
At the request of Chairman Carlson,
Mr.. Hodgson described conditions in
Greeley. He said that they had found
it necessary within the past year TO
build $21 900 addition to the county
hospital. There were two buildings,
one for the county poor and the> other
for the patients who paid. However,
all patients in the poor department
requiring operations were moved NO
the pay hospital. This more than an
up the profits of the other, as half
fees were allowed for all operations
on county charges. The hospital ran
behind $2500 last year on this &C
count, but the pay department would
have been self-sustaining except for
the charges for the county patients.
He said that the plan proposed here
would make vast difference on the
cost of the institution. in which the
physicians would take turns giving
free operations, clinics, etc.
Commissioner Moore suggested that
committee be appointed to cooperate
with the board, which was done, nj
stated above. DR.. Coughlin said rllI
the physicians in all parts of III
county favored the plan. Altk MI
Bull was not represented at the u III
ing, assurances had been received f Ill
doctors there that they favored HI
special mention being made of l III
Wetherbee and DR.. Murphy.
Those attending the commissioners
meeting were: Drs. Davis of Kim
berly, Dwight of Filler, and White,
Weaver, Pike. Leigh, Caldwell, Scott,
Sawyer, Alexander and Coughlin of
Twin Falls.