The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-06-15
The Waldo County Hospital


10 THE PEOPLE OF BELFAST. IT seams 70
De the order of the day to boom Belfast. also
70 urge its citizens not only to praise but at
tne same time to patronize home industries
and institutions.
oohaing from larger centers and possessing
the data by which to compare Belfast institn-
tlons. 1t has been great pleasure tn note
emciency In 30 many particulars, I believe
'na' WORDS OF commendation where deserved
increase confidence in those upon whom re-
sponsibility rests. and create the desire to
achieve greater development This is wbv
write this communication.
Now wish to commend another of Belfast's
institutions. The Waldo County Hospital. 7
hold no brief for the hospital authorities and
write this article of my own initiation without
suggestion from anybody. Having been chap
lain to large hospital; having also been
patient. with agony racking my own BODY 7
know hospital life from within and without
Recently have had opportunity of observing
from the interior the work of the Waldo
County Hospital. 1 write these words because
the people of the city and county do not half
appreciate the value to them of this institu.
tion. In my judgment. based upon observa.
tion in the larger cities, the local OPERATING
room is one of the finest equipped in New
England-that includes instruments, utensils
sanitary arrangement of the interior. and
modern appliances.
10 my personal knowledge its efficient staff
have recently brought safely through terrible
emergencies several patients, which speaks
highly for its medical skill and efficient purs-
ing.
Only few people realize what lofty ideals
form the motive of the operating and nurs ing
statfs of hospital. 1t is not managed merely
as money making scheme; but the main pur-
pose of doctors in general is to provide the
best scientific relief for the largest number of
suffering men and women. Money is needed
always to sustain such an institution, vet fl
nanclal profits are not the main aim of the
devoted men and women who indefatigabv
direct the activities of any hospital; to heal a
horrible case brings greater joy to them than
mere money getting. 1t will surprise many to
learn what learned, namely, that the majority
of the patients sent home to ultimate health
and happiness are cured at financial loss to
any general hospital That is why sometimes
it becomes necessary to make an appeal to the
public for additional funds to carry on its
work among the bruised and sick; that is why
the "hospital'' has moral right to appeal to
any community for additional contributions.
Thus. because some people hold absurd errors
concerning the work and spirit of hospital,
they either deny themselves efficient help in
times of sickness, or prevent their friends re-
ceiving the best modern scientific ministry
which would relieve a suffering body of its
burdens; such errors are not confined to the
uneducated classes, for often educated people
allow unJustidable prejudices to deprive them
of the best modern skill and appliances, /
have been intimate with many foremost physi-
clans and specialists-and without exception
their main efforts was to find remedies for
their patients-money was of secondary i'm
portance The ethics of the medical profess
sion are very, very high; the average doctor
is the least mercenary of men in all the pro-
fessions, standing alongside the average Chris
tian minister in ideals. l have talked with the
nurses. who often went to the bedside of the
patent at midnight, or early morning hours,
when every nerve throbbed and sweeter
sympathy was never spoken by human lips.
nor more alluring prophecies ever held out.
than by these mlnistering angels of the sick
room. Often midnight when the eyelids
cannot close and the corridors are silent, have
| StEna fbrf
agem ent to me, hasten to other patients with
the same helpful ministry. During the day
time when wants are many, it has been NV
observation that nurses generally are prompt
to calls. wonderfully patient, and always en-
couraging. Some people may have had differ
ent experiences from mine-sometsm expert.
ences depend upon the patient hirnself-but l
have never known trained nurse who seemed
in hurry to get through waiting on patient.
have also learned that in any hospital if the
patient is reasonable: acknowledging that
other patients have the same claims upon the
nurses time and sympathy that he has-there
is nothing that that nurse will not do to relieve
him of pain.
Sometimes people imagine that Che financial
the other side of the question; take the high
est charge for private room, for example
there included the services of day and
night nurse, the patient receives his board
most daintily prepared, maid takes exact
care of his room and furniture and usually an
other maid prepares and brings food to the pa
tIent. Those nurses are of the best.quality; If
either happens to be mon entarily engaged
there are the head nurse or assistant to an.
swer the immediate call. That charge also
pays for all the drugs used Surgical dressings
and usual sick room utensils. In fact, if one
is fortunate enough in his illness to occupy
the higher priced accommodations, before he
leaves the hospital he will realize that there is
an exceedingly small margin for profits if in
deed there can be any real financial profit for
the institution. In the wards from the very
start any patient receives the equivalent of
fifty per cent more in service and money cost
than the amount he pays in.
Some people have the most unreasonable
and unreasoning prejudice against hospital;
some fool-people help along that prejudice by
uttering false views concerning the "fatal
cases" in a hospital. Why shouldn't there be
fatal cases? A general hospital receives all
cases presented, even when it is known the
patient can not recover; and the hospital staff