Imperial Valley press., 1930-12-01
Imperial Valley Press,
II ro,,-v, Ca1Sf

Fl Ccntro. CalI.
On account of an editorial ap-
bearing in the Press Wednesday
November IS, under the heading
Red Tape-Or Humanity" imply
inc that some one lost his life on
account of not being admitted to
the county hospital, it occurs to me
that it would be only proper that
the people OF Imperial county
should be informed OF the details
about this case and the require
n.ents for admission to the county
hospital.
The case in question did not hap
pen to come up TO me for a deei-
sion. but the question Of entrance
was decided by q physician in town
who has been one Of my assistants
for several years. so the respoa-
sibilitV for the decision is up to me
to shoulGer-Which 7 gladly do
This case was taken to q local
phvsic.an's office by an officer for
q decision as to whether the case
should enter the county hospital,
During the time that this man was
in the physicians office it was
learned that he had just arrived
from Los Angeles, that he had been
in this condition for more than six
months while in Los Angeles. Other
things discovered were that the
man was rather uncertain in his
walk, indicating chronic nervous
trouble. and the mans own ad-
mission that he had had such q
disease that would cause mental
and nervous derangement. On ac-
count Of the physicians belief that
this man had en- incurable disease
of long standing, his recent en-
trance into the county. and further,
since he did not believe that the
man was either seriously or fatally
i'll. nor did it appear an emergency
in any aspect. he referred the case
to the INDECENT commissioner for
further consideration. Mr.. Welch,
the INDECENT commissioner could not
be found, SO it appears that he was
placed in jail for a place to sleep
and eat, where he committed sui
eide.
Discretion Permitted
Now, if this was a mistake, I ac-
cept il as my responsibility, and
ACCEPT whatever blame the people
wish to attach. On the other hand,
this man committed suicide in jail
which indicates that he was insane
and might. if admitted to the
county hospital, have murdered
nurses ard patients during the
night. A nan who will take his
own life would not hesitate to take
some other life.
Now a word concerning any red
tape. The supervisors. knowing
that there are from five to 25 apPli-
cants for the county hospital daily,
have made no hard and fast rule
to go by. They have allowed me
all the leeway anyone could ask.
If there is danger of loss of life or
limb by delay, the patient will be
sent for or admitted TO the hos
pital without question by myself,
or. if I am not available, by DR..
Philip Hodgkin, by Dr.. H. V. Gray
of Imperial, by Lee Welch, the in
digent officer. by any attendant at
the county hospital, by any super
visor in the county, or upon the
word or request Of any physician IN
tne county who has knowledge Of the
case. They may also be admitted
by Frank G. Weir, superintendent
of the county farm. Nothing could
be further from red tape than that.
On the other hand, many people
leave their homes in other states
and counties, ailing, and imme-
diately apply for entrance into our
county hospital unon arrival here,
even though they are IN no more
serious condition than when they
LETT their homes. Many others are
hospital buns. These are almost
invariably turned away. 7 cannot
lead myself TO believe that this
county should burden itself with
the countrys floating and ailing
population. Many Of these, if ac-
cepted at the county hospital,
would be there for years.
I try to keep unworthy people
from entering the county hospital,
but 7 do not assume any hard
boiled attitude, nor do I allow any
Of my help or assistants to assume
such an attitude towards uafortu-
nate people. Confronted with so
many decisions, it is almost human
ly impossible to be always right.
We are bound to make mistakes.
All other charity hospitals make