Connecticut western news., 1922-10-26
SECRETARIES REPORT OF
 COUNTY HOSPITAL
C Ccs;t;nue1 Progress Is Shown by Reports. Enlarged
 / Buildingo Needed

,
 Hospital, read at the annual meeting
 Due to the fact that many local
 people are interested in the institu-
 tion, the report is published.
 Twenty years ago the doors of this
 hospital were opened for the benefit
 and relief of a suffering world. The
 record of growth and service is one
 of which we may all be proud. Dur
 ing that time we have treated total
 of 11,330 patients. We have erect
 ed a commodious nurses home and an efficient isolation cottage and
 owing to the increased and insistent demands upon us are again obtaining building plans for substantial addi- tion to our hospital plant
 In point of service this has been the largest year in our history. We have treated 1,128 patients during the year and there were 33 patients remaining with us for treatment upon June 30, being 171 more than last year. When this number is com pared with that of the 159 patients treated during our first year of exis- tence, the record is truly remarkable.
 We are happy to report even slight reduction in the cost per pa tient per week, $23.03 per week be- ing that item, as compared with that of $23.58 last year. Comparing this with the similar cost of our first year of $11.29 per patient the contrast is interesting.
 Regarding our permanent improve ments, we have fitted up a large and up-to-date diet kitchen, with all the latest equipment, and a resident dietition has been employed for the first time. To our operating equip ment we have added an incubator and colorimeter, also, through the great generosity of Dr. Frederick s. Dennis, M. D., of New York and Norfolk, one of the leading surgeons of the United States, there has been presented a cabinet containing a col lection of about 300 modern surgical instruments which were purchased by him in London, Dublin, Brussels, Paris, Stockholm, Berlin and Vienna, and is a most important and valu- able addition to our surgical equip ment. To Dr. Dennis we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for his great gift. The interior of the nurses home has also been re- decorated and is in fine condition.
 A most important addition has been made to our permanent funds during the past year, the largest single gift that we have ever re- ceived From the executors of the last will of the late Alfred Woodruff we have received in cash and securi- ties the inventorial sum of $93, ,689.- O6, the income of which will greatly alleviate our increasing financial burdens.
 The annual contributions from the churches of the county have been placed in the hands of the woman's auxiliary, to aid them in supplying the linens and quantities of material that are so much in demand and that are so efficiently provided from that organization.
 The great increase in patients has made it absolutely imperative that substantial addition should be inn added to our hospital plant. To that end, building com mittee has been appointed, which is obtaining the necessary plans; also a finance committee, which is labor ing hard to provide the necessary funds, some of which have already been promised. We urge this res possibility upon our generous pub lie, whom we sincerely hope will meet the challenge and enable us to start work upon this all-important build ing in the early spring.
 It is with sadness that we note the decreasing number of our original incorporators of 20 years ago. Of the original 63 there are only 20 left enrolled upon our list. It is with great regret we note the death of pr. Salmon G. How'd M. D., from among this number during the past year.
 Too much cannot be said of the continued generosity of Miss Mary Eldridge of Norfolk, who provides for the inmates of the hospital the lCG CISdIl lO1 ScSll OulANeAy oiAN kAAS and Christmas dinners that are so looked forward to by all, as also Joseph Bennett of North Mass, who provides the bountiful New Years feasts.
 It is only repeating, but we cannot forbear extending our thanks to our most efficient superintendent and assistant, to whom our continued use fulness is in great measure due, as we'll as to the medical and surgical staff, whose every day service is of a remarkably high quality.
 Again we thank the woman's aux Hilary. We cannot do more. Their deeds of service and mercy continue to keep our hospital at its high stand ard of efficiency.
 We are also pleased to report that the free clinic has proved itself a ,ooJoJ b1oec;rr ooJ ic boipy lar,ralV |