Evening star., 1924-10-19

was spotless, though a patient had
just been removed. Many of the
rooms are memorials. and even the
driveway leading up to the institu-
tion is a memorial to Frank NJ Halo
well, victim of the bandits who robbed
the Sandy Spring Bank several years
ago.
Has Personal Touch.
1t is an institution with that per-
sonal touch which means much to the
recovery of patients. DIR. Bird knows
them all and greets their callers per-
sonally and with n genial smile. In
fact. the institution was the out
growth of an ideal OF DR. Bird. He
explained that when he was in a city
hospital there came to him a case of
man severely injured, but had been
driven many miles in a farm wagon
to medical attention. He thought then
how terrible 1t was almost to kill a
person by such a ride, and decided
he would never practice in a COM
munity where hospital facilities were
not available. But he came to Olney,
and there was no hospital. There is
now.
The hospital yet has mortgage of
approximately s22,700 to pay off. This
could. or course, be done by the issu-
ance of more stock, but this is not
desirable from the viewpoint of the
hospital authorities if other means
may be found. They have more stock
to issue. for it is Incorporated under
the laws of Maryland. The expenses
nave been kept at a minimum. and
many OF the. debts have been paid off
under careful management and for
this DR.. Bird gives full credit to Miss
Gallagher.
Only graduate nurses are main
tanned at the institution. although the
charter of the institution provides
for training school. However, a
training course has never been under
taken. Patients, therefore, in this in
stitution have at all times the serv-
ices of graduate nurses particularly
selected for thev skill.
Gets Little Help.
Little help is received from the
State, and none from the county it,
self. The State appropriates 5000 a
year for the institution, but the hos
pitai must earn this-that is, it gets
sl.16 day for the treatment of char
ity patients sent there by the State.
But this amount is not nearly enough
10 pay for the care of the patient
The figure was arrived at many years
ago. when costs were much lower,
light of present-day costs
While patients are taken from all
parts of the State. most of them
are from Montgomery County There
are not few from Howard county.
nearby. According to statistics avail
able, approximately one-third of the
patients are charity cases
The facilities of the hospital are
open TO any physician or surgeon of
the State. He may send his patients $
there and may come and attend them
without any restrictions, for the hos
pital has no set visiting staff or staff
or residents. Those in direct charge
live nearby, and may be easily sum-
moncd on short notice. Patients come
from kensington, Rockville, Gathers
burg. Silver Spring, Sandy Spring and
from places in the vicinity of these
villages and towns
Supported by Gifts.
1t is supported by contributions
from those interested in the institu-
ton. dance is given every August
the proceeds of which are applied to
running the institution, and there is
donation day each THANKSGIVING
It's larder is stocked with home
canned and preserved products. care
fully prepared in the homes of farm
ers in the community, and the pa
tlentS nave the best in this line.
The institution was opened Febru.
ary s, 1920, since when 2,3OI patients
have been treated.
j. j. Hutton of Brookeville. Md is
president of the institution, and the
executive committee is composed Of
A q. Thomas, Sandy Spring; r. B.