Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-04-08


good hospital by a--------I forget
the rest OF the quotation.
"rhe present location liz absolutely
unsuited for hospital purposes. The
new hospital should be built outside
of hut adjacent To the present city
limits on an ample area or high dry
land. preferably land not likely soon
TO be In demand for residence pur-
poses, something like the high point
o: sandy wooded ground that lies
north and east OF the soldiers home
overlooking the river. II should be
substantially constructed according
10 modern ideas OF what hospital
should he and with an eye to future
as well ms present needs. II should be
equipped and conducted In such a
way as best to meet the require
ments In the main being isolation.
and attention TO such modern hy-
gienic and sanitary features as have
been found most conducive to the
welfare 81 the sick.
To attempt 10 convert the pres
ent so-called 'venereal hospital into
detention hospital for contagious
diseases, would In my estimation be
neither safe nor sane. Its location
and manner Of construction render II
absolutely unfit for any purpose
other than as Jail annex.
In all this controversy over q city
hospital one very important point
seems to me in danger Of being over
looked. That is, that smallpox (the
principal reason for a detention hos
pitaD is a preventable disease, ca
pable of eradication by proper at
tention 10 the matter OF vaccination.
Time was here when child was
not permitted To enter kindergarten
without being able TO show a certif-
cate Of successful vaccination. This
wise precaution finally was aban-
uoned at the behest OF a small but
vociferous minority. who clamored so
long ana loudly against il that the
local authorities. deceived by the
noise. were led TO believe that IL re-
ally represented the popular mind on
This subject.
After the experience of recent
months with numerous population
unprotected from smallpox, il would
seem that measures should be taken
looking 10 revival of the former
practice.
Il believe IL the state or the mu-
nicipality would furnish .the vaccine
free Of charge. a sufficient number
of physicians could be found who
would volunteer their services gratis
iii Saccinating the public rather than
see this sCourge develop as it now
threatens, into an actual menace to
the community. y. Merrill"
"NhOt Criminals" Or. johnson.
Times Republican:-In answer to
YOUR letter concerning the city de-
tention hospital, | beg the privilege
of stating tina, | believe an ;ndivld-
uaI. suffering from contagious
disease should be looked upon as d
patient rather than as criminal.
and. that his isolation is for the
benefit OF the public. This being the
case he should be given the very best
care TO insure his speedy recovery
and return to work. To make this
possible an isolation hospital should
be on a well drained site and away
from other habitation. II should be
constructed so that proper ventil-
alton and sanitation can be provided.
and, so conducted that the patients
can ne given proper treatment.
According TO this idea the present
provision is absolutely inadequate
and the venereal hospital could not
qualify.
smallpox is preventable disease
and in wears pas; has been convert
ed from IA scourge that killed 5o per
cent OF its victims into a mild and
comparatively rare affection. But,
with present day neglect Of thorough
vaccination il Is fact increasing in
prevalence and in severity. so we
will soon be forced to change our
| stand in .the corner methods of
ISOLATION into actual hospital pro-
"ision. because the experience of the
asst year has proven that many
asses are seriously sick and require
areful nursing.
In considering an isolation hos
| 'ital there Is no reason why small
| OK should be the only disease con-
! -'dered. for. II would be just as i'm
| 0rtant to have place for cases
scarlet fever, diphtheria. tubercu-
sis and all other conta geous dis
| ases Then. when such cases &C.
-rred IN hotels, rooming houses or
| ,os uhe-a there was moor chance