The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1871.

Dunstan Times, Issue 485, 4 August 1871, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1871.

-SsffSatGTtlie Tluleof MenENTiRELY just the pen is mightier than the SWORD

The liberality of the'people of Clyde and neighborhood at the late bazaar for the benefit”of the District llos--pital, has yielded a welcome addition to the funds of the institution, and the good example thus set’will,-we doubt not, prove an incentive to similar action in other parts of the Dunstan district. But however praiseworthy such’efforts may be in raising pecuniary means for meeting either present or prospective emergencies, thissystem of forced charity is not altogether a satisfactory source of revenue. The end may justify the means, but it is not the sort of machinery by which revenue should be raised ; it isopposed in some degree to the spirit of the law under which district hospitals were instituted. At the best it is but a spasmodic and intermittent effort to tide over monetary difficulties, which under judicious legislation and careful local management should never arise. It says but little for the permanency ofourmuchvaunted charities, when e' en the funds for the support of hospitals, the refuge for our sick and afflicted, are hereafter to be doled out in scanty driblets from the Provincial treasury, at uncertain intervals, under the eralic control of an irresponsible Executive. It is not necessary to discuss the causes of the present impecuniosity of the Province, the immediate effect thereof is sufficiently momentous to engage earnest attention. The inability of the Government to continue the customary subsidy of 21. to 1 1. to district hospitals has been accepted by the public as an unpleasant fact The problem for solution now is, can 11. be made to do the work of 21., or must an effort be made to meet the sudden deficiency by increased local contributions. The liberality of the public in the matter of subscriptions for any good purpose has never yet been questioned, but whether open handed generosity has been always wisely controlled, is not quite so certain. In

busy stirring times, when money Las circulated freely, the hospitals and kindred institutions have been well supported, and the constantly accruing funds have been liberally expended, but in no instance, that we are aware of, has any reserve fund been accumulated. It has never occurred to the impulsive dispensers of the public bounty, that the day might come when the ready flow of cash to the exchequer would cease, and the petted institutions be in sudden danger of collapse. “ Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”, has been the motto of the directors of our hospitals, and now that the evil day has come, the only remedy, that as yet suggests itself, seems to be tire ruthless cutting down of expenses, and hard earned salaries, and the consequent impairing of the efficacy and usefulness of the various establishments. Would it not be wiser before making such sudden reductions to endeavor to obtain from the Government a guarantee of a fixed sum per annum to each hospital, in lieu of an uncertain and fluctuating vote made every Session, thus getting rid of the present element of uncertainty as to the annual revenue of each hospital. This accomplished, the Committees could control their yearly scale of expenditure in proportion to an assured, instead of a* doubtful revenue. Provided that some effectual means were also devised for maintaining local subscriptions at a rate adequate to the requirements of a generous but not lavish outlay, To this end it should, as a matter of primary, importance be ever borne in mind that the institutions are only intended fertile gratuitous re.icf of those who are unable to otherwise obtain medical help and attention, and sedulous care should be taken not to admit, without payment, any individual who has the wherewithal to pay for private treatment. There is at times a too evident inclination on the part of those cast down by sudden bodily affliction to depend on public charity for relief, even when well able to pay their own doctor’s bills. Although but little reason exists for supposing any laxity of regulations in the management of our local institution, yet it is only by continual care that abuses of the nature indicated can be prevented. Then again the payments actually made by patients might he a little more in proportion to the benefits received. Tire comparatively small sums figuring in the annual returns as received from patients cannot surely represent the extent of their ability to pay. We do not imagine that very many would deliberately cheat in this matter, and trade upon the benevolence of the “public; but some more stringent regulations than at present exist for ootaining from each patient a true statement of his means would, ■while not pressing hardly on the poor and needy, have a deterring influence in preventing anynnjust burdens being imposed upon public charity. It has been suggested that, in order to obtain from each portion of this district a fair proportion of subscriptions, no patients shall in future be admitted except bringing tickets issued to sub. scribers living in the locality where they themselves reside. In cases of chronic or lingering disease this plan might be feasible; but, in cases of accident, injustice and oftentimes increased suffering might result if this rule were too stringently enfo.xcsd. It is wiser to have no rules than, having rules, not to obey them. A better, because more comprehensive, system has iust been adopted in Westland, and presents some striking recommendations. It is an adaptation of the Benefit Society system, whereby every member paying a fixed sum per annum can claim, net as a privilege, but as a right, medical attendance and help in the hour of need. Thus, irregular subscribers who, perhaps, only give when waited on by the collector, would, by making regular donations, become entitled to participate in any advantages derivable from Hospital management whenever needed. And if the plan were uniformly adopted throughout the province, even those who have no settled homes could ensure to themselves medical attendance in any district where for the time being they might be located, by presenting to the Resident Surgeon at the nearsst hospital, a certificate of membership or receipt for annual subscription. An equitable system of repayments for attendance on casual cases, and a periodical adjustment of accounts between each hospital could be easily adopted, The various committees have a most onc-

rousduty to perform in devising ways and means to ihoet tlieir financial difficulties. To depend solely on the present method of raising subscriptions, even when supplemented by , forced contributions arising from benefits and other make shift device- 1 , would be unwise in the extreme. Any suggestion therefore bearing upon the point at issue, and having the one essential element of practicability, will doubtless commend itself to public attention.