WHAT IS THE USE OF THE HOSPITAL?

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 240, 12 January 1881, Page 2

WHAT IS THE USE OF THE HOSPITAL?

(To the Editor. ) Sir, —I was sent for this morning to see a young, man who is -suffering from consumption. For many weeks he has been almost in a helpless condition, his mother is dead, .and his father has been unfortunate (though a hard-working man), and is now very poor ; consequently the young man has been necessitated to seek refuge in the home of his married sister, who lives in a small two-roomed cottage. She has a number of children, and her husband is unwell and out of work. I enquired why he was not in the hospital, and they informed me that he was very desirous to go there, but one of our medical gentleman had told him he could do him no good, and he could not be admitted in the hospital without paying LI per week. Now, sir, his friends cannot possibly afford to pay that sum, and I should like to know why this sick man should be prevented from receiving the benefit of .an institution, which is solely ’ supported by public moneys, simply because of his poverty. His life is rapidly wasting away in a cerafartless cottage, and his relatives are compelled to suffer the pain of watching him .die-In extreme poverty, while they lack the means to administer relief. — I am> &0.. . A. J. Smith.