The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1919-12-04

beds. Today there are 25 hospital
be ds TO one bed forty-five years ago.
Within the coming few years the
growth viii be more rapid with more
interest shown ~ the institutional
work by larger number of persons
than az any previous period IN our
history. This progress is traceable
directly to the War for the hospital
work was brought most closely 70 me
hearts Of all Of our people on account
OF the splendid service performed.
The sacrifices Of the hospital IS
something worthy Of special COM
ment and is thing that should be
remembered always By the American
people and also by them cordially APP
preciated. On every side and in ev-
cry way the hospitals sacrificed with
out stint or limit. No other activity
Of national scope can compare pro-
portionately with the splendid work
zone by the hospitals during the war.
The professional workers, namely,
the doctors and nurses, answered
the call 10 service Many physicians
and surgeons relinquished highly
profitahle clientele. But these wOm-
en- nurses did not know what they
might expect because OF the atrocious
conduct Of the enemy toward all
womanhood. yet they answered the
call largely. Food values advanced
and the bills for surgical supplies
were greatly increased. The kitchen,
laundry. and cleaning helpers left the
hospitals in large numbers seeking
employment where wages were larg-
er than those paid by the hospitals.
f. would seem as though the above
losses would more than suffice IN
breaking the spirit Of the institution
but in addition to al Of the above,
many thousands of persons accus-
toned to supporting local institutions
ceased helping them so that their
available funds could be used for ma,
tional.causes where great needs were
shown. The climax came when the
influenza epidemic crowded in upon
Us TO an hitherto unknown extent.
Everyone can recall its effect on our
lives and interests and we recall those
days with great sorrow. But what
would the loss Of life have been II We
had had no hospitals. They saved
us. for what we needed most was or
ganization. II has been estimated
by reliable authorities that IN con
nection with our war work and when
facing this epidemic that the life
savings exceeded 100000. Our
hospitals stood the test: they square
IL faced every obligation and today
they are stronger and we as a people
are better informed on their work
and the benefits TO be derived
through their use--due entirely TO
their great heart service in the inter-
est of US all.
II is, therefore, right that we
should recall with feeling of deepest
gratitude on how we were saved and
helped through these thousands OF
health centers in our land. They rep
resent the conservation Of health and
the better control Of disease.
In closing, would like TO urge on
YOU people Of Texas that you show
more largely your interest in hospit-
ais and that you support them more
generously. II should be noted that
in Texas there are about $50 institu-
tions with total bed capacity of
about 10000. But your State IS
backward and its volume Of work
does not compare favorably with
many other states. Throughout the
United States there is one hospital
bed for every 40 of population,
while in Texas there is one hospital
bed for every 46S Of population.
Other states are engaged now in in
creasing their bed capacity and il is
time for this great State to arouse
herself and to go into this work in a
modern way.