USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1941 > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
The case load in the category of outside relief during the past year has been reduced to about 100 cases which is the lowest in the history of the department for many years. Aid to Dependent Children expenditures are less than in the last three years. The reduction in both of these groups reflects better business conditions in Attleboro. The Old Age Assistance has again increased, as is ex- pected each year. With the more generous allowance granted by the Legisla- ture this year, further increase may be expected in this category with unfortunate- ly little knowledge now available on the benefits we may receive from the new Old Age Assistance food tax law. The City Infirmary continues to operate on a sound basis and at the present time is housing twenty inmates, which is the capacity of the farm.
The work replief program has been of great assistance to this department and we earnestly believe it is one of the greatest single factors in the reduction of expenditures in the outside relief account. We sincerely hope this program will be continued.
A detailed statement of receipts and expenditures for the entire year is attached.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Public Welfare John B. Stenberg, Chairman Norman J. Stone Paul H. Weiss
128
ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL REPORT-1941 Appropriations
Salaries-Almoner, 3 Clerks, 3 Visitors
$ 6,015.33
Administration-Other Expenses.
1,645.00
City Infirmary-Other Expenses and Salaries.
6,660.00
Aid to Dependent Children .
27,175.00
Outside Relief.
55,453.53
Old Age Assistance.
84,117.40
Total Appropriations.
$181,066.26
Expenditures
Administration-Salaries
$ 8,651.99
Administration-Other Expenses
2,595.07
City Infirmary-Salaries.
1,179.13
City Infirmary-Other Expenses
5,259.49
Aid to Dependent Children
37,212.01
Outside Relief.
49,651.82
Old Age Assistance.
164,321.41
Total
$268,870.92
Less Federal Funds
95,478.44
173,392.48
Balances-Federal.
$ 28,356.38
City
7,673.78
otal
$ 36,030.14
DETAIL OF APPROPRIATIONS
Administration-Other Expenses
Appropriation
$ 1,645.00
Expenditures
1,644.39
Balance
.61
Federal Old Age Assistance Administration Account
Balance Jan. 1, 1941
313.83
Federal checks received in 1941
2,598.42
Total Appropriations 2,912.25
Total Expenditures
2,690.79
Balance.
221.46
Federal Aid to Dependent Children Administration Account
Balance Jan. 1, 1941
.80
Federal checks received in 1941
970.44
Total Appropriation
971.24
Total Expenditures.
896.55
Balance 74.69
129
ANNUAL REPORT
City Infirmary-Other Expenses
Appropriation Expenditures
$ 5,260.00 5,259.49
Balance
51
City Infirmary-Salaries
Appropriation
1,400.00
Expenditures
1,179.13
Balance
220.87
Aid to Dependent Children Account
Appropriation
27,000.00
Refunds .
175.00
Total Appropriation
27,175.00
Total Expenditures
26,391.61
Balance
783.39
Federal Aid to Dependent Children Account
Balance Jan. 1, 1941
3,897. 65
Federal checks received in 1941
10,307.88
Refunds.
82.75
Total Appropriation.
14,288.28
Total Expenditures.
10,820.40
Balance
3,467 .88
Outside Relief Account
Appropriation .
60,000 00
Transfers to Other Departments.
5,450.00
54,550.00
Refunds .
781.03
Additional Appropriation
122.50
Total Appropriation.
55,453.53
Total Expenditures.
49,651.82
Balance
5,801.71
Outside Relief Account Chapter 58
Appropriation.
1 152.33
Expenditures-1940 bills.
215.11
Balance.
937.22
130
ANNUAL REPORT
Old Age Assistance Account
Appropriation
89,000.00 5,310.00
Transfers to Other Departments.
83,690.00
Refunds
427.40
Total Appropriation.
84,117.40
Total Expenditures.
83,250.71
Balance.
866.69
Federal Old Age Assistance Account
Balance Jan. 1, 1941.
27,414.46
Federal checks received in 1941
77,947.40
Refunds.
301.17
Total Appropriation.
105,663.03
Total Expenditures.
81,070.70
Balance
24,592.33
DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES Administration-Salaries
Almoner
$ 1,800.00
Chief Clerk.
1,300.00
2nd Clerk
1,043.33
3rd Clerk
1,043.33
Visitor-1st
1,600.00
Visitor-2nd.
1,043.33
Visitor-3rd
822.00
Total Expended
8,651.99
Administration-Other Expenses
Phone
107.73
Office Supplies.
1,132.50
Auto Allowance.
210.85
Auto Maintenance.
46.21
Transportation, Outside Relief
147.10
Total Expended.
1,644.39
Federal Old Age Assistance Administration Account
Cash-Salaries
2,626.66
Petty Cash
64.13
Total Expended
2,690.79
105,361.86
131
ANNUAL REPORT
Federal Aid to Dependent Children Administration Account
Phone
93.38
Office Supplies
375.28
Transportation.
417.89
Salaries
10.00
Total Expended.
896 55
City Infirmary-Other Expenses
Medical.
102.71
Food Supplies
3,715.02
Clothing
253.91
Fuel.
369.62
Light
153.92
Phone
41.47
Other House Maint. and Operation
347.83
Outbuildings Maint. and Operation.
24.29
Hay and Grain.
107.10
Seed, Fertilizer and Tools
143.62
Total Expended
5,259 49
Outside Relief Account
Weekly Cash
28,076.87
Rent, Board and Care
6,090.25
Clothing
1,143.14
Fuel
1,025.67
Medical.
4,972.89
Towns, Cities and Institutions
7,943.00
Burials
400.00
Total Expended
49,651.82
Outside Relief Account Chapter 58 1940 Bills
Rent, Board and Care
13.28
Medical
201.83
Total Expended
215.11
Old Age Assistance Account
Cash . ...
81,837.89
Towns, Cities and Institutions.
1,262.08
Total Expended 83,099.97
ยท
132
ANNUAL REPORT
BILLS RECEIVABLE
Committed 1941
Cities and Towns.
5,016.10
State.
80,302.75
Total
85,318.85
Collected 1941
Cities and Towns
4,291.09
State
79,056.16
Total.
83,347.25
ADDITIONAL RECEIPTS FROM STATE AND CITIES AND TOWNS FOR BILLS COMMITTED IN PREVIOUS YEARS
Receipts
$
3,383.21
Total Number of Cases in 1941.
677 Individuals
.2142
CAUSES OF DEPENDENCY
Unemployment 35
Insufficient Income. 54
Chronic Illness. 55
Desertion, Non-Support
18
Widows.
44
Old Age 471
677
133
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the License Commissioners
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council, Attleboro, Massachusetts,
January 12, 1942.
Gentlemen:
The annual report of the Board of License Commissioners for the year ending December 31st, 1941, is hereby respectfully submitted,
The Board wishes to announce that with the passing of 1941 the so-called "Commercial Clubs" have been eliminated from the ranks of the license holders of Attleboro. Henceforth the clubs holding licenses will be organizations which were incorporated under the State law prior to 1932.
Respectfully submitted,
Francis P. Cronan, Chairman.
Revenue Received for Alcoholic Beverages Licenses $11,383.00
Revenue Received from Common Victualler Licenses. 95.00
Total Revenue Received $11,478.00
Total Number of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for the Year 1941 .31
Total Number of Common Victualler Licenses for the Year 1941 38
INDIVIDUAL LICENSE FEE for EACH INDIVIDUAL CLASS as follows:
All Alcoholic Beverages
Innholder. .
$505.00 each
Class A. Restaurant.
500.00 each
Class B. Restaurant. 450.00 each
Tavern. . 300.00 each
Package Goods.
450.00 each
Fraternal Clubs. 250.00 each
All Other Clubs
500.00 each
Wines and Malt Beverages
Innholder
each
Restaurant.
300.00 each
Package Goods
200.00 each
Fee for Seasonal Licenses
Club.
100.00 each
13 Special One-Day Licenses 120.00 total
5 Wholesale Beer Permits @ $3.00 each 15.00 total
38 Common Victuallers Licenses @ $2.50 95.00 total
Signed Francis P. Cronan, Chairman.
134
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the City Solicitor
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council of the City of Attleboro:
The year 1941 was one replete with activity for the City's legal department and one which in the whole was most satisfactory.
The docket of the City insofar as claims against the City is concerned has been considerably reduced. The case of Pelletier vs. City of Attleboro (a sidewalk defect case) resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of four thousand dollars, which judgment has been paid and the proper pleadings filed in Court.
The City was successful in the demurrer filed in the case of Clap vs. the City of Attleboro, involving the establishment of a funeral home on Peck Street. The matter was determined by the Supreme Court of Massachusetts and upheld the City's contention that the only remedy under the Zoning Statutes was an appeal to the Superior Court in Equity and not by extraordinary writs to either to Supreme or Superior Courts. In this case, the City retained the services of Edward O. Proctor of Boston and the writer wishes to acknowledge the most helpful advice and cooperation.
At the opening of the legislative session of 1941, the Legislature of the Com- monwealth passed in record time a bill allowing the City to change its council membership from six at-large and five by wards to six by wards and five at-large. That, of itself, was a radical change in our Charter, as it transferred the balance of power from the at-large membership to the representatives of the several wards. This change was necessary because of the increase of wards from five to six, which change, altho it took place in 1934, did not become effective until 1940. It was also for the purpose of correcting and ratifying the municipal elections of Decem- ber, 1940.
There are now pending upon the docket of the City the following cases:
Mabel Belcher vs. City of Attleboro (sidewalk case)
Bloom vs. City of Attleboro (proceeding under order of Council ordering removal of building)
During 1941, a comprehensive Zoning Ordinance was passed by the Municipal Council and full credit is due to the Planning Board for their continued effort to accomplish this major piece of legislation. This writer had long advised the passage of such an Ordinance and its passage, altho it will entail some confusion at the start, will of necessity be of great benefit to the future Attleboro.
I wish to thank the several heads of Departments for the cooperation during the year, and I also wish to thank the Mayor and his secretary for the advice and help which has made this department's work of greater value to the City.
Respectfully submitted,
Henri E. Proulx, City Solicitor.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Sturdy Memorial Hospital
OF THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO
FOR THE YEAR 1941
136
ANNUAL REPORT
Superintendent-MISS G. G. RICE, R. N.
OFFICERS
HAROLD E. SWEET, President ALBERTA REMINGTON CARPENTER, Vice-President FRED L. WETHERELL, Treasurer HORACE B. GOWEN, Clerk and Assistant Treasurer
TRUSTEES
H. Dean Baker Lloyd G. Balfour William H. Bannon Fred E. Briggs Alberta R. Carpenter Joshua W. Clarke, M. D. Blanche Daggett
Lester Nerney Etta F. Kent Annie G. King
William J. Luther
Geneva E. Murphy Frederick V. Murphy, M. D.
Rev. James M. Quinn
Joseph Finberg Stephen H. Foley Ernest D. Gilmore
Harold K. Richardson Gertrude F. Ryder Alice H. Stobbs Samuel M. Stone Florence M. Sweet
Victor R. Glencross Raymond M. Horton
Walter M. Kendall Edwin F. Leach Rosella Mason
Harold E. Sweet
Edwin F. Thayer Beatrice W. Wilmarth
THE BOARD OF MANAGERS-1942
Joseph Finberg Edwin F. Thayer Victor R. Glencross
William J. Luther Samuel M. Stone Harold E. Sweet
These latter with the following ex-officio members, Mayor John W. McIntyre, Oyril K. Brennan, representing the Municipal Council, and William Marshall, City Treasurer, constitute the administrative board of the hospital.
TRAINING SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR NURSES
Mrs. Nettie Gilmore Mrs. Gertrude F. Ryder Miss Irene Battey
Mrs. Esther Stone Chairman Thomas O. Mullaly Claude Smith Mrs. Lillian Briggs
Mrs. Margaret Armstrong
137
ANNUAL REPORT
CONSULTING STAFF
Surgeons
Harry H. Germain, M. D. 479 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Wyman Whittemore, M. D .. 199 Beacon St., Boston
Channing C. Simmons, M. D. 205 Beacon St., Boston
Leland S. McKittrick, M. D.
205 Beacon St., Boston
Arthur R. Kimpton, M. D. 23 Bay State Road, Boston
Gilbert Horrax, M. D .. 605 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Howard M. Clute, M. D. 171 Bay State Road, Boston
Medical
Charles H. Lawrence, M. D. 520 Commonwealth Ave. Boston
Cadis Phipps, M. D. .587 Beacon St., Boston
Wyman Richardson, M. D. 264 Beacon St., Boston
Garnet P. Smith, M. D., Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital, Attleboro, Mass.
SPECIALISTS Gynecologists
Frederick W. Johnson, M. D. 167 Newbury St., Boston Louis E. Phaneuf, M. D. 270 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Urologists
Ernest G. Crabtree, M. D. 99 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
James B. Hicks, M. D. 1101 Beacon St., Boston
Obstetrician
Frederick C. Irving, M. D. 221 Longwood Ave., Boston
Orthopedic Surgeons
Charles F. Painter, M. D. 520 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
John G. Kuhns, M. D. 372 Marlborough St., Boston
Nose, Throat and Ear
George Loring Tobey, Jr., M. D. 270 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Ophthalmologist
Edwin Blakeslee Dunphy, M. D. 101 Bay State Road, Boston
Neurologist
Douglas A. Thom, M. D. 520 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Cardiologist Sylvester McGinn, M. D. 270 Commonwealth Ave., Boston Pediatrician
Henry E. Utter, M. D. 122 Waterman St., Providence, R. I.
Consulting Radiologist
Arial W. George, M. D. 43 Bay State Road, Boston
Consulting Pathologists Timothy Leary, M. D. 818 Harrison Ave., Boston John F. Kenney, M. D. 206 Broadway, Pawtucket, R. I
138
ANNUAL REPORT
VISITING STAFF OF THE STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Staff Organization, January, 1942
Milton E. Johnson, M. D. President William M. Stobbs, M. D .. Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer
Herbert G. Vaughan, M. D.
Surgical Staff
John A. Reese, M. D., F. A. C. S .. Chief of Staff
H. Irving Bixby, M. D., F. A. C. S. Associate Surgeon
James A. Bryer, M. D. Associate Surgeon Associate Surgeon
Carl J. DePrizio, M. D.
Assistant Surgeons
Carlton S. Ford, M. D. Milton E. Johnson, M. D. Herbert G. Vaughan, M. D.
William J. Morse, M. D.
Daniel J. Kiley, M. D. Medical Staff
Herbert Lowell Rich, M. D. Chief of Staff
James H. Brewster, M. D. Associate Physician Associate Physician
William M. Stobbs, M. D.
Edward S. Ward, M. D. Associate Physician
Assistant Physicians
Isadore Altman, M. D. Joseph H. Colman, M. D.
Harold F. Harrington, M. D. Leonard W. Hill, M. D.
Raymond G. Ockert, M. D. Obstetrical Staff
Joshua W. Clarke, M. D. Chief of Staff Associate
Edith Kerkhoff, M. D ..
Harold F. Harrington, M. D. William J. Morse, M. D. Roy W. Nelson, M. D. Raymond G. Ockert, M. D.
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Staff
Arthur C. Conro, M. D ... Chief of Staff
H. Irving Bixby, M. D., F. A. C. S. Ralph P. Kent, M. D. James Holoff, M. D. Herbert G. Vaughan, M. D.
Anesthesia Staff
Frederick V. Murphy, M. D .. Chief of Staff Jesse W. Battershall, M. D. Leonard W. Hill, M. D. Roy W. Nelson, M. D. X-Ray Department
Edward B. Perkins, M. D. Chief of Staff
Daniel J. Kiley, M. D. Assistant Radiologist
Physiotherapy Department
Ralph P. Kent, M. D. Laboratory Pathologist and Director
Head of Department
James H. Brewster, M. D ... Dental Department
Walter F. Briggs, D. M. D .. Chief Dentist
Anderson S. Briggs, D. M. D. Assistant Dentist
Courtesy Staff
Max Bennett, M. D. Elmer W. Clarke, M. D. F. L. Girouard, M. D. C. V. Lendgren, M. D. Alam R. Howard, M. D. Elsie K. Loeb, M. D.
Herbert Loeb, M. D. Charles E. Roderick, M. D. Mitchell Wasserman, M. D.
Michael E. Vance, M. D.
Efficiency Committee Herbert L. Rich, M. D. John A. Reese, M. D., F. A. C. S. Ralph P. Kent, M. D.
139
ANNUAL REPORT
Superintendent of Hospital and School of Nursing Gwendolyn (. Rice, R. N.
Assistant Superintendent of Hospital and School of Nursing Katherine V. Lloyd, R. N.
Night Supervisors Mabel A. Johnson, R. N. Alice R. Brown, R. N. Operating-rooms Helen Webb, R. N .- Supervisor Mabel Love, R. N .- Assistant Emergency Department Claire E. Whalen, R. N. Surgical Department Effie B. Brooks, R. N .- Supervisor Loretta I. MacGregor, R. N .- Head Nurse Obstetrical Department Gladys M. Anderson, R. N .- Supervisor Margaret M. Boisclair, R. N .- Head Nurse Pediatric Department Olga R. Mach, R. N .- Supervisor
Instructors Katherine F. Moriarty, B. S., R. N.
Anne Shepard, R. N.
Technicians
Anna M. Moore, R. N
Physiotherapy and X-Ray
Marjorie F. Grant, B. S ..
Marion W. Maynard, R. N.
Laboratory Laboratory Assistant
Dietitian Mary C. Casey, B. S. Record Librarian Clara H. Rhodes, R. R. L. Bookkeepers Frieda Solmer Virginia M. Waldron-Assistant House Mother
Elizabeth W. Dugan Housekeeper Luella K. Lee Switchboard Operators Ruth M. Abbott Clara M. Clarke
VISITING COMMITTEE 1942
January : Mrs. Esther Stone and Claude C. Smith
February : Harold E. Sweet and Mrs. Marion P. Carter
March: Edwin F. Leach and Mrs. Lillian Briggs
April: Raymond M. Horton and William J. Luther Ernest D. Gilmore and Mrs. Gertrude F. Ryder
May:
June : Miss Blanche Daggett and Mrs. Alberta Carpenter
July : Edwin F. Thayer and Harold K. Richardson
August: Victor R. Glencross and Thomas O. Mullaly
September: Harry Holbrook and Mrs. Beatrice W. Wilmarth
October: Joseph Finberg and Mrs. Tilda B. Stone
November: Fred E. Sturdy and Mrs. Maude F. Tweedy
December: Mrs. Gertrude H. Sweet and Mrs. Rosella Mason
140
ANNUAL REPORT
History of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital
By a generous clause in the will of Mrs. Ellen A. Winsor, the homestead estate of her father, the late James H. Sturdy, was bequeathed to the Town of Attleborough, to be used for a general hospital, in memory of James H. and Adah S. Sturdy. In addition to this gracious act, Mrs. Winsor placed her residuary estate in a permanent fund, to be known as the Albert W. and Ellen A. Winsor Fund, to be held in trust, the income only thereof to be used to assist in the maintenance of said hospital. The original gift of real estate known as the Sturdy Foundation, is valued at $30,000 and the personal property left by Mr. and Mrs. Winsor, known as the Winsor Foundation, is valued at $93,000.00.
The location for such an institution was ideal, but to prepare the property for modern hospital work required the expenditure of a larger sum of money than the town officials felt warranted at this time in asking the citizens to ap- propriate. At this crisis, the Attleborough Hospital, a corporation organized under the Massachusetts laws, came forward and offered to take the property in trust, reconstruct the home house, build new additions, erect in connection therewith a modern operating wing, equip the whole plant, and open the institu- tion as a general hospital to be known as the Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
The Town of Attleboro at a special meeting held May 14, 1912, accepted the offer of the Attleborough Hospital, and in due time placed the property in question in trust with said corporation.
The work of reconstruction and new building was commenced in July, 1912, and on April 14, 1913, after an expenditure of something over $30,000, the hospital was opened.
Again in July, 1914, another addition was made, known as the Nurses' Home, with provisions also for maternity cases, thus making 30 beds as the total capacity of the hospital, being largely possible because of a gift of $10,000 from the late Fannie M. Tappan. The total cost of this addition was approximately $18,000, and the balance was provided from income from trust accounts and individual gifts.
In 1922, Joseph L. Sweet, President of the Attleborough Hospital since its beginning, provided for the erection of a $125,000 fireproof addition to be known as the Florence Hayward Sweet Maternity Building, and adding 21 beds to the capacity of the hospital. This addition was opened June 4, 1923, and the gift included a new plant and boiler house situated at the rear of the lot back of the present Nurses' Home, providing the steam and heating and other needs of the whole hospital.
With the realization that its facilities were being taxed to the limit and the needs of a substantial addition pressing, the Board of Managers, in the fall of 1924, voted to undertake a campaign for additional funds. With an enthusiasm on the part of the subscribers and workers unparalleled in the history of our com- munity, this campaign was brought to a successful conclusion on February 9, 1925 with total pledges of over $392,000, the objective having been $300,000.00.
The Sturdy Homestead, formerly the main hospital, was relocated in the rear of the Nurses' Home, giving much needed additional accommodation for nurses, and a three story, sixty-five room, buff brick and stone, modern hospital building was erected on the site of the old hospital.
The new unit reached such a point of completion as to permit of the registra- tion of the first patient therein on July 25, 1926. On September 30th the building was thrown open for inspection by the public, and while no formal exercises were attempted, in the evening a dinner was given to the local and consulting staffs, with an especially splendid representation of the latter who were exceedingly generous in their commendation of the entire hospital plant and its equipment, highly significant, coming from professional men who have frequent contacts with the very best hospital facilities in the country.
The death of Joseph L. Sweet in July, 1932, ended the services of one who has been active in the management and expansion of the hospital from its beginning. For more than twenty years, he was president of the corporation, and to that
111
ANNUAL REPORT
office he brought not only an executive ability, but the financial support which the institution needed so badly. He was intensely interested in seeing first, that the hospital was well equipped to meet the needs of the community, and second, that it was endowed and fortified against financial stress.
Up to the time of his death, his donations exceeded $207,000, not counting various annual gifts given from time to time for needed equipment or special purposes. Under his will, he generously provided for further gifts, of which $155,000 has already been received and added to the permanent funds. Further- more, his will directed that the residue of his estate, after the termination of the life interest of his widow, should be paid to the hospital.
A new and much needed nurses' dormitory was built in 1910 through the gen- erosity of the late Mrs. Darrah who left the hospital approximately $10,000 in her will and further provided that the proceeds of a trust of $20,000 are to come to the hospital after the life tenancy of the present beneficiary. The new building. fully equipped, cost $50,000 and has been named "The Fisher-Darrah Dormi- tory" in honor of the donor, Mrs. Sarah Fisher Darrah.
We now have an up-to-date 125 bed hospital with a replacement value for the plant of approximately $600,000, well nigh complete in its appointments with well-equipped and competently administered X-Ray, Laboratory and Phy- siotherapy departments.
A capable and devoted staff of physicians, superintendent and nurses, a consulting staff of physicians and surgeons of wide repute, and an interested public, largely represented through the effective help rendered by the women's organization now known as the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Aid Association, have resulted in the development of one of the finest hospitals in New England, with a standard of efficiency equivalent to that in many of the larger and well known hospitals.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
January 12, 1942
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council
and to the Trustees of the Attleborough Hospital:
We have to report in this, our 29th annual accounting to you, a year of the greatest activity in the history of Sturdy Memorial Hospi.al.
An increase of 15% in the number of patients cared for In the hospital during the year reflected all along the line, but more especially in the much larger number admitted from the nine towns surrounding the Attleboros, thus emphasizing our responsibility and service in this arca.
If we include out-patients in our total, as many hospitals do, the total number cared for during 1941 was 4,834.
An increase of over 27% in obstetrical patients has over-taxed the facilities of the maternity building several times during the past year so that plans have been drawn for a necessary addition estimated to cost about $50,000.00, but, there are two essentials-money and priority-with some assurance that the latter is more readily obtainable than the former. However, our need offers a grand opportunity for some one or more to create a perpetual memorial for an ever necessitious purpose. We would be glad to lend a sympathetic ear to any individual or group who may be interested to discuss what aptly may be called a cryjing need.
On the financial side the picture is a bit brighter than a year ago, obviously the result of increased industrial activity and consequently larger pay-roll dis- tributions in the communities we serve. Despite an increase of nearly $9,000.00 in the cost of food, housekeeping supplies and equipment, receipts exceeded disbursements by $3,019.97, this reducing our accumulated deficit to $22,071.36.
In discussing hospital relations with the public, an experienced hospital executive calls attention to the fact that people who ordinarily come to a hospital are not ordinary people. They are people who are under great physical or mental
142
ANNUAL REPORT
strain, either as patients or relatives of patients. They cannot be expected always to behave reasonably or even courteously. Hence, it becomes necessary for every one connected with a hospital in any capacity to exercise patience and leniency to the highest degree. It has been discovered that the most important persons in our hospitals, so far as public relations are concerned, are neither the doctors nor the nurses, but those at the reception desk and on the telephone switchboard. A tactless, unsympathetic person in such a position can make more enemies for the hospital than any doctor or nurse. On such little, perhaps essentially unimportant things, do the good relations of a hospital with its com- munity often depend.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.