Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-27

AZ Il whole. but ] also recognize that
The Commonwealth has produced aud
now possesses no more productive
and substantial possession than the
University of Virginia. No true man
In the Commonwealth would willingly
inJure II. but would rather gladly
strengthen IL. The proponents of
removal--a number OF them It's own
sons--bcllcve their proposal TO be
In It's interests. ] am sometimes told
that the university Is not popular
and this removal would make for Its
popularity. do not believe 1t. 1t
may not always be understood. No
great institution or man ever is en-
tircly. but its open record deserves
loyalty and approval. and believe
this state honors and trusts IL. If
IL does not. IL Is the only State In
this republic that does not from Maine
TO California and from the Gulf to
the Lakes. In fact. believe II to
be the best-loved State university In
:hc world. With Increased activities
in every Held. with Il broadened vision
and an extended service. It has
strained every resource to make the
most of It's opportunities for useful
ness.
Considered as Il great organism and
a unit. this removal would tend TO
weaken and iUpoverish the Jnivcr
si'y Of Virginia by removing from
It's life a vital body OF scientific men.
diligcnt body of earnest students,
Il great inspiring example of scicn-
tihc achievement. Every department
would be the poorer for it's absence.
The prcpostcrous statement Is some
times heard that the university Is
overcrowdcd. and this Is a wise way
To relieve congestion. ] do not covet
mere growth in numbers. but the
all
met. and submit that If the price
of growth Is to- cut OF essential MEM
bcrs Of its body, then the only alter
native remaining to a great institu-
ton would he stagnatiou or self-dc-
struction. No. that will not do. The
removal from it's body of it's medical
school Will Neakcn and dcvitalize
inc university OF Virginia. There
are hones; and loyal men who be-
licve that while the university as a
unit at Charlottesville will be weak
cncd. the act OF removal will mean
expansion ana greater opportunity to
serve the state and country. Their
dream OF a great medical school
swollen In numbers with millions
looking TO IL for training Is not we'll
founded. unless the whole university
Is TO be removed TO Richmond. 1t
is n cumulative, American dream Of
size. but IL Will not matcrializc, be-
cause II lacks foundation upon the
rock OF sound educational princip!c
and greater service TO the State will
issue out OF the best school hes,
equipped. best taught and nc. out
OF any location as such. Every
american State Is preparing to have
Its own medical school. There is n
certain danger in separate locations
OF creating not coordinate depart
mcnt, hut an independent organism
seit-conscious. conceivably sclf-asscr-
tive. and possibly inviting political
complications and dangerous and es-
tranSing disaSreements.
The removal of the medical school
from the university means. too inev-
itaoiy the destruction of the present
university hospital. How serious a
loss this destruction will be 10 the
university itself and 10 the valley and
Southwest sections OF the State, /, is
dinicult TO compute. ! am aware
that the proponents of removal alma
bly, and kindly assert that this re-
suit VIII not follow, but II will fol-
low. IL this medical school at the
university is removed To Richmond.
the University State Hospital viii
cease To exist. The majority report
of the commission on medical tduca-
ton comedies that IL can no longer
be Il teaching hospital and receive
State patients. but adds that II might
care for private patients. II is even
suggested that IL be converted into
buildings for other uses. But neither
the state nor the university Is inter-
csted in the anomaly OF hospital
for private patients on the university
grounds. and !, could not be converted
To other uses, save ut enormous ex-
pcnse. Without the assistance OF
the medical faculty and the students
as clinical clerks and the State an
preparation, IL must die. Its death
means a Gripping of the university
as a servant OF the state and blow
at the economic prosperity of the
state through neglect OF it's public
health. This hospital was founded
as an act OF faith and wisdom TWEEN
ty-onc years ago. and has grown
through state appropriation and pri-
waite gifts, until il is-1iow one Of
the largest and best-appointed gen
eral hospitals in the State Its
yearly admissions now approach 1000
from all over the area contiguous to
it; it contains 200 beds. In the two
year period. l919-l92l. scventy-two
counties were represented. Twelve
physicians and surgeons, fourteen in
terheS ana seventy-Scven nurses give
TO 1t the necessary medical attcn-
ton. Patients from nfnety-scyou
counties nave sought its services
There are 5000 visits yearly in the
"ut-patient department. Eleven spe-
cialties are now organized within IT,
From 1907 10 July /. 1921. $4,000 pa
tients have been admittcd; $4,000
were patients in the public wards
or whom $1,000 paid part of their
expenses. while 10000 were charity
patients paying nothing toward their
maintenance. Nine thousand negroes
have been cared for. A large part
or these admissions are from the
country or small towns where no
general hospital exists which would
receive them as INDECENT sick The
service given at this hospital is OF
the best. for IL Is given by able men
in the presence OF and assisted by
thoughtful and watchful students.
There are 100000 people living within
a few hours of the university. and
this hospital Is their only, opportunity
10 receive proper treatment. This
is not charity by the State. IL is the
wisest economy, for the material re-
turn i'm vigorous health of these
thousands far outweighs the cost OF
maintenance. 1t has cost the State
less Than 100000 in all these years
to care for $4,000 ward patients II
Is impossible to contemplate the de-
struction of this hospital without
emotion. We have poured our