Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-16
AUGUSTA GEN. HOSPITAL
Annual! Reports Includes That Of
President Macorber, and Also Re-
port on Building Fund by Treasurer
Dudley.

Dudley.
In connection with the annual meeting
OF the Corporators Of the Augusta General
Hospital Association, the annual report
of Hon. George E. MacoInber, president
of the Association. which was read and
accepted at the meeting, is herewith given
in full:
Presidents Report.
We are entering upon the threshold
Of a new year, marking our twentieth
anniversary. 1917 will go down in
history as filled with great and unusual
events and conditions the world over
and another like it is hardly possible;
almost the entire world involved in
civil strife. entailing the loss of mil
lions of men and almost uncounted
treasure. All this brings eoour new
and untried financial conditions in
every branch of human endeavor as
well as bringing into the homes of
vast number OF our people the posi-
bility of the going out to engage in
the great struggle so many OF our
boys. some of whom Will never return.
In our report OF year ago we
emphasized an oft-repeated need or
the hospital of additional capacity to
care for the increasing number of our
own people needing hospital treatment
as well as for doing our part when our
soldiers from across the seas would be
returning i'll and wounded and requir-
ing hospital care. Our old original
plant, for reasons pointed out at that
time, was deteriorating and becoming
more expensive to operate, with at the
same time increased demands FOR IT'S
ministrations. With the large calls
upon the public for means to carry on
the war as Well as the increased cost
of everything entering into every
bOdyS necessities it seems to many an
inopportune time to raise the large
sum needed to build new wing, which
we had for so many years hoped TO
bring about Early in the year cam
paign was started after a failure to Sc
cure any part Of the fund through an
appropriation by the State Legis;a-
ture. The men and women OF Augusta
took hold OF the matter with Will
and determination to succeed that
was unprecedented in all money rails
ing efforts ever attempted in Augusta,
with the result that we have in cash
and pledges, Including some small
sums raised by the ladies for the pur-
pose in the past few years. an amount
little raising $4,000. out of which a
small sum was paid for necessary ex-
penses, but no commissions or per-
vol
come is a splendid tribute to the ap-
probation in which the hospital is
held as we'll as civic efficiency shown
by Augusta citizens in all efforts to
better the city's condition or con-
tribute To our country'S needs. In
normal times the sum raised would be
ample to provide accommodations and
equipment for a long time ahead. but
with the present high prices of labor
and materials q much more difficult
problem is before us, but no course is
left us but to go ahead and accomplish
the utmost possible under. prevailing
conditions and we believe Il substantial
addition can be made to our present
plant, so when ready for occupancy we
can make needed repairs on our pres
ent building.
The hospital has come to stay as
evidenced by the constantly increas-
ing calls upon its resources. The
number of increased admissions being
146 over one year ago. BY reason of
increasing costs of everything used in
or about q hospital we discovered our
charges We're considerably below our
per capita cost not even including any
thing for use of the plant. Beside this
the last Legislature enacted Il new law,
in substance that we must not run at
a loss and if we continued to do so we
could not charge it to the State ap-
preparation. As this effected our large
! charity work, which the past year was
one third of the business of the insti-
! tuition, we felt obliged TO raise our
! prices. Doth OF our wards anc private
! rooms to meet above named condi-
! lions. We hope new conditions will
! some time arise to enable us to re-
turn to lower prices On thing should
always be borne in mind-no one is
making anything out Of the hospital.
/ 1t is essentially the property of the
people for the benefit OF the people anc
/ operated by us as their representa-
tives
The Hospital Aid and the ladies' as
I sociated with them has been the large
/ factor in our success, not only in Sc
/ curing the proposed wing but in a
! thousand Other ways for the upkeep of
the institution.
Early in the year our matron, Mrs.
Hayden met with an accident neceSfi-
tatins her taking an extended rest and
during her absence the duties of her
Office were successfully performed by
/ Miss Y. f. Robinson. her assistant
/ Miss Robinson later resigned to take
up other duties and Miss Alfada Don
aldson was elected to the position of
/ assistant natron.
! The nurses school as we'll as the
district nurses duties have been sue
cessfully carried on.
! Gar physicians and surgeons have
most faithful; performed their many
! trying duties and re feel IN this oe-