Rush Medical College - Pulse Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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HAHRIILT A, JONES KUIYRI that no shaft to his memory could be more enduring than the erection of ahospital and thus came about the D. A. Jones memorial. This part of the hospital in style of architecture. structure, and working plan is a model of its kind. To accomplish this object these ladies con- tributed Sl00,000 in addition to the original bequest and this amount was augmented by a contribution of 345.000 from Dr. Pearsons for the building of the ell which unites the memorial with the former buildings. Soon after the hospital was opened the Presbyterian church began to endow annual free beds for which they contributed 45300 a year. By the end of the first fiscal year six such beds were endowed. Then certain individuals imitated their example, but it rem-ained for Mrs. Barbara Armour to endow in perpetuity by the gift of 35000. the iirst bed in memory of her sister. After the Jones memorial was com- pleted. the Henry Corwith Room. endowed 151110001 by his daugh- ters, was the first selection made. B JOHN WENTWORTH ROOM. The board of managers felt much gratiiied with then success thus far. and especially that inquiry was being made for the endowment of rooms, but it must be confessed that when Mrs. Wm. Armour sent her check for 550000. endowing an entire ward of ten beds in memory of her husband. they were more than delighted. Since then these en- dowments in perpetuity have gradually increased so that it now is the largest part of the hospital asset. In this aggressive age to rest is to recede. and so thought the hos- pital boa1'd. They looked with envious eyes upon an adjoining corner property and at the iirst Cl1?t1lC9 secured it. This acquisition was the tirst practical opportunity to safely conduct a lying-in department. Previous to this such cases were only received into the hospital for the sake of affording the house physicians a reasonable amount. of experi- ence but it was always with misgivings. 172

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During the first winter of the hospital the Ladies' Aid Society was organized, This Society. under the able leader- ship of Mrs. Marquis, took upon itself the task of providing bedding, kitchen and table-ware, reading' matter. delicacies, and comforts for the sick. etc. . This body is composed of many of the leading women of the city: their work and influence is beyond calculation, and to them is due a large share of the honor of having made the hospital what it is. Any one not familiar with the facts can form no idea of the character and scope of work daily accomplished in this institution. There are hospitals and hospitals. but people compare one with another without any regard to their re- spective differences. It is true that the annual reports give a tabulated list of cases healed and operations performed. but unless one is acquainted with the necessary details involved in their treatment and care. figures make little impression. Moreover it is not numbers that count. but cases. Its medical statf has not only been composed of men found in the front rank of the profession, but it has always had those who were its recognized leaders: and thus patients admitted to its wards have not only had the advantage of the most mature thought and skill of the profession but. they in turn have contrib- uted to the relief of others suffering in a similar manner. for whose benefactors they served as object lessons. Faith- ful, conscientious work brings its own reward. A representative staff with efficient helpers soon made the hospital quite popular and consequently many wellrdeserving poor patients as well as those who were able to pay had to be re- fused for lack of room. The tirst addition to the original building was the Hamill Wing. built by Dr. Ross and the Cyrus H. McCormick estate which practically gave the hospital a net increase of about forty beds. It was not long however before even this increased capacity proved inadequate and maybe but for a little accident its work might still be confined to such limited quarters. During this period the hospital was greatly helped by the gen- erosity and personal attention of Dr. D. K. Pearsons. who was then President. and on a certain day the morning' paper stated that Dr. Pearsons had generously contributed 5f5,till1'i to the hospital. This item chanced to fall under the eye of Mr. D. A. Jones who at this time was arranging' for the disposal of his estate, and knowing' the President to be a prudent business man concluded that if the latter had sufficient confidence in the concern to givetwenty-tive, he at least would take his chances in a gift of ten thousand dollars. Not long after this Mr. Jones died. and upon probating the will it was found that two-seventeenths of his estate was to be given to charity, but as to its entire disposition no provision was made. Mrs. .Tones and her daughters. who had long be-fore this taken a deep interest in the enterprise and given freely to its support. came to the conclusion that as the liusbaml -md flttlitq- was etninently a ktl1ltj1Lg'H2lll. his nioninnent should be erected here and they very wisely decided 171

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When therefore the way opened for the establishment of a mater- nity department for teaching bedside obstetrics no time was lost. and it must be said to the credit of the management. that when it fully understood the scope and motive of the plans it heartily rendered most cordial support. Following this venture which has proved such a success. came the convalescents home. and later the department for throat and chest diseases. more especially for cases of advanced tuberculosis. A hospital that depends so much upon its friends for help should in turn care for those whom they send. lt should not. indeed cannot always insist upon receiving only such cases which are surely curable or at least improvable. for it often happens that the least it can do is to soothe the last hours of these un- fortunates. It is neither wise nor safe to admit such cases to a gen- eral hospital and so by the addition of this annex a most serious prob- lem was solved. f w x In referring to the gifts which the hospital has received. it points .. with pleasure to the J. Adams Allen library. HENRY CORWITII ROOM. l 7 3 This remarkable man so highly esteemed because of his ability has left the hospital a legacy of much historical value. In taking a retrospect of the past one is impressed with the growth of this institution. It was born poor. life has always been a struggle. but this struggle came in consequence of its persistence in caring for the needy beyond its ability. H With increased facilities came greater demands and graver respons ibilities. but so far as possible it has always striven to divide the bui den with those who come for aid and lend a helping hand to the needy In giving it has prospered. not by flaming advertisements l-.ept constantly before the public. or by questionable methods which one so frequently sees, but simply started by the will of a consecrated few by its own momentum it has quickly come down to the present uith t record of 12.000 patients..