Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/623

THE CITY OF PORTLAND 453 After holding it for a few years, it was determined that it was not good for hospital purposes, and it was sold for $88,000, and a block of land bought in East Portland for $30,000. Plans were drawn and a building commenced on a reinforced concrete plan. Some more money was given by friends, and so far, above $70,000 has been spent on the building. As soon as more money can be collected, the building will be completed. This will be the only hospital in the city which is entirely fireproof. The management, consisting of Judge Bronaugh, F. M. Warren, W. B. Ayer, Tyler Woodard and Walter F. Burrell, are now considering plans for money sufficient to furnish and fully equip the new hospital for work. THE COUNTY HOSPITAL.

Multnomah county maintains a county hospital in the city, now under the care and direction of Dr. E. P. Geary, which is fitted up to minister to the in- digent unfortunate in the inost comfortable manner. This hospital has grown out of the general provision made by the county authorities for the unfortunate poor, known as the "Poor Farm." This public charity was organized in 1869, by the county of Multnomah purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land of Gen. Stephen Coffin in the year 1869. The land lay about two miles west of the then city of Portland, and was purchased of General Coffin for fifty dollars an acre. It was recently sold by the county for seven hundred and fifty dollars an acre ; the proceeds of which are to be invested in land for a poor farm near the town of Troutdale, and the necessary buildings to be erected thereon.

Multnomah Hospital, on Second street, between Hooker and Hood streets, came into existence in its present form in 1909. For many years the indigent sick of the county received indififerent care in wards connected with the alms- house. The county physician. Dr. E. P. Geary, soon after his appointment, be- came impressed with the inadequacy of the facilities in this institution and strove for better things. Backed by a humane board of county commissioners, composed of Judge L. R. Webster, W. L. Lightner and F. C. Barnes, he was enabled to introduce modern methods into the hospital department. The male attend- ants were replaced with white capped trained nurses, and the old-time hit or miss methods of nursing gave place to scientific and cleanly regulations. The first step having been accomplished, a demand was made for better rooms, better beds and better food. The county commissioners authorized the purchase and equipment of suitable grounds and buildings for a hospital away from the environment of the poorhouse, and the new institution there to be erected was named Multnomah Hospital ; the word county being dropped, and with it the stigma of pauperism so unnecessary and so oiTensive to the unfortunate who, by reason of sickness, is obliged to seek charity.

The new grounds provide accommodations for buildings which will house 1,000 or more beds. As Portland grows, this number will, at no distant day be needed. Meanwhile the inmates of the present structure enjoy the use of grounds and shrubbery which might adorn the palace of a king. The mansion which occupied the center of the grounds has been reconstructed and enlarged, and already 100 people at times occupy the beds therein. A surgery and dressing rooms with racolith floors insures that degree of cleanliness which is necessary for the performance of successful operative work; and a staff of nurses under the guidance of the superintendent, Mrs. Alta Y. Spaulding, give the needed care to the sufferers who seek the hospital.

But the most progressive feature introduced into the hospital by the county physician and his co-workers is to be found in the organized staff which divides with Dr. Geary the responsibility of caring for the sick. New York, Philadel- phia, Chicago, Buft'alo and every large city has realized the need of organized medical and surgical help in the care of the county sick, and each in turn has secured the aid of charitable physicians for this purpose. So widespread has