New Britain herald., 1917-10-09
ANNUAL Meeting
OF HOSPITAL BOARD
Miss Mary E. Bingham Presents
Interesting Report for Year

~
The annual meeting of the Women's
Hospital Board was held at $3.50
o'clock this afternoon in the parlors
of the First church. The reports re-
,ceived by officers indicated that the
board has enjoyed q very successful
year and has been instrumental In the
success of the institution. Following
a luncheon late this afternoon, officers
for the ensuing year will be elected.
OF much interest was the report OF
the secretary, Miss Mary e. Bingham,
whose efforts during the year have
been exceptionally appreciated. In
her report, Miss Bingham speaks of
the needs of Increased assistance in
nursing, owing to the establishment
of the maternity house and the chill
dren's house. The report also in
cludes a request from the State Coun-
Gil Of Defense, asking that In the
event Of necessity, five young women
Of this city be added to the nursing
force. The rapidly growing nursing
force has made it imperative to in
crease the dining room space, the
work conducted in this department
having been supplied by workmen,
who have given leisure time in fixing
up the quarters. The additional bed
room space made 1t necessary to OBJ
tain extra linen, and the various
churches through Women's societies
have contributed generously in this
way.
The report also speaks of the
splendid support given the board at
Thanksgiving, Christmas and at
IT, c%o &c,
also remembered in the report for it's
sey also receives words of praise for
her contribution of valuable medical
books.
The members of the board are
turning their attention to children and
to further the aims of the organiza-
ton sum of at least $4,000 will be
necessary.
= .. Words Of regret are expressed for
the loss Of Mrs. w. G. Hungerford
who has been chairman of the auxil-
larry committee and who will discon-
tinue her work., due to inability to
serve any longer. Regrets are also
expressed at the loss of Mrs. Sarah
Strong and DIR. Frederick w. Peck,
who were valued friends of the Wom-
ems Hospital Board. ..."
Miss Bingham's report in full is as
follows:
g.. We have just completed another
year in the history of the Woman's
Hospital board, and it is well for us
to come together and consider some
of the things which have been accom-
plished In the last twelve months.
. In many respects the work of the
institution has progressed in much the
same way as in former years, being
still under the management of Mrs.
Bassett and Miss Des ,Jardins. On
account, however, of our two new
buildings, the Maternity House and
the Children's House, more assistance
in nursing is needed than ever before.
At present an unusually large class
Of twenty pupils are in training, there
are also three probationers, and the
services Of seven graduate nurses are
required. In addition to this force
an order has just come, sent out by
the Connecticut State Council of De-
Tense stating that five young women
residents of our city must be given a
short course in nursing so that they
may be qualified to assist graduate
nurses during the period of the war,
in case there Is an extra demand for
such help: Because of the number
of nurses now at the institution 1t Is
necessary to use more dining room
space, and two small rooms have been
fitted up, in which to serve meals.
The work has been largely done by
workmen who are regularly en-
ployed at the hospital and who have
used rainy days and their time of
leisure to put them in suitable order.
F~ hi nj
attractive. The additional rooms in
the two houses which we have just
mentioned, and the additional bed
rooms to accommodate the nurses
make it necessary for us to have
great supply of bed linen, and we
certainly feel grateful to the many
churches of our city which have
helped us through their Women's So
cieties in this way. Generous con-
tributions, not only of linen, but also
kimonos, nightingalea, etc., in fact all
things in that line for a sick room
have been provided.
We have been well remembered,
too, by the people of our city at
Thanksgiving time. Last year our
donations exceeded those of any other
year. A large committee was ap-
pointed with Mrs. Justus Traut as
chairman, to take the matter in
charge and all kinds Of good things
were given, not only from our place
but from Berlin, Bristol, Plainville
and Maple HILL
Many contributions were sent in at
Christmas, each year trees have been
provided by DR.. Fromen and nurses
have trimmed them. Mrs. Hungerford
assisted by her Auxiliary committee
was as usual responsible for gifts for
patients and nurses. Handkerchief
were presented to the women and
stockings to the men. At Easter
potted lilies were placed in each ward
and cut flowers were distributed.
These nerSora1 attentions t1v