The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-08-15
LOCAL HOSPITAL
C0NSGLI LIDAT|0N
BIG INSTITUTION IN PROSPECT
FOR MAHAsKA COUNTY.
is ENDORSED BY PHYSICIANS
Favorable Vote On Much Needed
Tuberculosis Ward Will Mean
Great Things For Community
A "Patriotic Movement"


The Abbott Hospital and the Ma
haska Hospital will consolidate, if
the tentative arrangements already
perfected later become real fact.
/ II. y. Walton conceived the idea of
{ possible union of the two institu-
ltions. Before the Mahaska hospital
board, of which he is a member, was
tGpprised of the plan, Mr.. Walton
sought conference with DIR. Abbott
The Doctor consented to allow such
. possibility TO be considered by the
Irrespective boards concerned, and by
Ithe county organization of physicians
! Of which DIR. l.. A. Rodgers is chair
Imam. Fortunately for the cause in
hand, a member of the local physi
clans organization, Or. j. G. Roberts,
lis also chairman of the Commercial
| Club board
Physicians Favor Movement.
The physicians of the county-not
merely Oskaloosa--are enthusiastic
ALLY in favor of the hospital consoli-
ldation movement The same may
be said of all the boards affected by
such Inove-county supervisors
Mahaska hospital board, and local
board of the National Red Cross.
The Abbott, hospital, in event the
voters at the next general election
Iapprove the constructing of tuber-
culosis ward. will be closed, except
that DIR. Abbott will retain an office
in the present building. All bed pa
tients, nurses, and the school for
nurses will be transferred to the Ma
haska hospital. Dr. Abbott will di-
rect the management of the tubercu-
losis ward The consolidated hos
pital equipment will be a compliment
to the county and credit to the
Estate.
A Patriotic Duty.
A vote for the new $4,000 hospital
is patriotic duty The National
Red Cross requests it, A suggestion
from that source is a mild form of
demand. The National Red Cross
knows the need. Uncle Sam takes
care of advance tubercular cases be
fore they are discharged. The coun-
.ty must be responsible, however, for
those whose depleted physical condi-
tiOn, due to service, will make them
easy and frequent possibilities for
the ravages of the dread disease.
Oakdale is full. Only fOrty-three
counties in Iowa provide special hos
pital treatment for tuberculosis. Each
county is expected to do it's duty
Mahaska with the rest-and she will.
Endorsed by Kepford.
A f. Kepford, of the State Asso-
citation for the cure and prevention
of tuberculosis, is much pleased with
the new hospital possibilities for this
county. He suggests that the pro
posed structure, large enough to pro-
vide at least thirty beds, be faced to
the southeast so as to cut off as fully
as possible the ravages of the north
west wind.
Upon the decision of the voters in
November hangs much of unusual
importance If all goes well, Ma
haska will have hospital facilities and
equipment that will set the pace in
Iowa. Being the pace setter, how
ever, is of minor Importance. The
vital inquiry is: will Mahaska do
the large and adequate thing for these
physically unfortunate?" An answer
other than affirmative would be quite
out of harmony with this county's
recognized record. 's
Physicians Endorsement.
To the Board of Mahaska Hospital:
We, the members of the medical
profession of Mahaska county, firmly
believing that consolidation of the
hospitals of this city would be for the
best interest of all the people of the
county. and knowing that one good
efficiently conducted would
give the people better service, do
earnestly recommend to said board
that they use their best efforts to
bring about such consolidation,
pledging them our most hearty sup
port and cooperation.
(Signed)
C. A. Abbott
J. G.. Roberts.
b. O. Jerrel
IN NJ 1TFstIs...,,.