The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-11-07
A MEDICAL INSTITUTE
FOR BUACKFOOT

9A0NhAVVt 40 6k0O0dA1y uOVCkVR4A6
team work, or the ability of its citi-
zens to do things as unit. An op-
portunity now confronts them to do
something that not many towns of its
size have ever done, and which would
be distinct advantage to the town
in service to those who are now here
and would be OF growing service to
the town.
We have dozen or SO of doctors
of various kinds in the town, all
possessing more or less skill, and
doing considerable good, but they
are scattered around, most Of them
in poor quarters, some Of them in
offices that are actually dingy and
q disgrace to their profession. There
is better cooperation among them
than there used to be, but not
enough of cooperation to get the
best results to the public or the
most satisfaction to the doctors.
Some of them are specialists, doing
better work in, some lines than
others, and the public do not know
this. If person with a certain
trouble goes to the wrong one, the
one who does not do that work the
best, there is a loss OF service to the
public. II all of the doctors were as
sembled on the same floor Of the
same building, If such a building
were suited to their purposes; If
some plan were adopted to keep the
public informed as to who were the
specialists in the various lines, SO
the public could 60 to the one that
could handle their troubles the best,
it would be a very decided advantage
to all. II a sick person, just able to
get around could go to one building
and there have the choice of any
kind of service that might suit his
or her case, it would be very much
easier for the sick people and it
would draw a great deal of business
to Blackfoot that now goes to other
places. For example, a sick person
coming down the Mackay branch
seeking medical aid, and not know
ing who to go to, not able to run
around and climb all the stairways
in town to consult the different
physicians, naturally goes on to some
larger city, where Offices are
operated on the plan we speak Of,
and where he can get the best service
with the least running around.
We think the doctors Of Blackfoot
have something coming from the
public to make this better service
possible. H4
The town has co-operated with the
different classes in all their hobbies.
The chautauqua people have had
their chautauqua. Many co-operated
and aslot Of people interested have
helped. The same may be said of |
the lyceum people. The Elks have
had their convention and half the
town closed up as requested, just to
please the Elks. The fair has had its
run, and those people who did not
feel much interested In the fair
helped because somebody else
wanted it. The Shriners have had
their day and people not especially
interested have done many things to
please the Shriners. The institute
people have had their teachers in
stitute and the whole town CO.
The Red Cross will finish
its drive this month and the doctors
and Boy Scouts have given their CO.
operation. whether interested or not
We repeat what we said before, that
we think the doctors of the town
have something coming from the
public. AS the years go on, we see
them growing older, but not growing
rich. They are growing wrinkled in
the service and few OF them ah1ave
any better Offices than they HAD five
Or ten years ago. They serve the b
poor along with the rich, and thet
and take their payTwhenI
they can get It, and are generally tool.
busy taking care of new cases to de-
vote much time collecting what is
due on the old cases." People all over
The country are indebted to the
doctors for services when they could
not possibly pay, and are getting SO
low that they are better off financi-
lily than the doctors who serve
hem. We are convinced that afsub-
-