Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

“In 1918. a training school for nurses was started.
and in 1930. before the school was closed. 60 nurses
had graduated. All have been successful.
“The need for X-ray and laboratory became
imperative. it was then that public spirited citizens
launched a drive and in a short time. collected $5.000.
From this fund a modern X-ray was installed and
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Sanitarium (Photo submitted by Berniece Shover)
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Mercy Hospital (Photo submitted by Mrs. W.H.
Wessels)
The Prospect Park Sanitarium operating room in
1907. (Submitted by Kathleen and Larry J. Conmey)
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laboratory equipment was purchased. During the
years. except for the last two. each spring the building
was improved. replastered in places. and all rooms
were painted.
"In 1924 a stairway in the north of the building had
to be sacrificed on three floors for much-needed
bathrooms.
"By 1930. the depression was with us and there were
orders from the state department to close our school of
nursing. The hospital was flnancialy embarassed. Few
patients were admitted and many of those were unable
to pay. How did the hospital keep operating‘?
“The good farmers paid in produce. the county paid
$12 per week for the care of some of the patients. There
were infirm patients who paid as low as $1 per day for
room and board. Somehow the grocery bills were paid.
The coal bill in the winter was the problem. We recall
with gratitude. the young folks who sponsored a dance
which realized $250 and paid for the January 1931
carload of coal.
"Hard times continued for the hospital until 1936.
when more patients were able to pay for
hospitalization. Then the Sisters started making muchneeded
replacements of equipment. An elevator was
installed at a cost of $15,000. The old X-ray was
replaced with a modem shock-proof model costing
$4.000. Next. a new boiler was installed.
"As the hospital income became better established.
other new equipment was added. All the rooms were
furnished with modern hospital beds with innerspring
mattresses. Electric wiring. with outlets in each room.
was necessary. Today the surgery is equipped with
modern lights. table. electric sterilizers. anesthetic
machines. stainless steel furniture. and instruments.
The matemity division has modern table. light.
resuscitator. oxygen equipment and incubator.
“During the past 14 years. $100,000 has been spent
on equipment. much of which becomes out-dated in a
few years. For example. the $400 diathermy machine
purchased in 1945 must be replaced by 1951 with a
different model because of radio interferance.
"The present hospital rates are high. This is due to
the increase in hospital operating costs. which are 300
percent over those in 1930. Expensive drugs and
treatments given to patients tend to reduce their
hospital stay to one-half of what it would be otherwise.
thus compensating them by permitting an earlier
return to their duties. Blood transfusions. though an
added expense. have saved many lives in the Anamosa
area.
"We are grateful to the nurses of Anamosa. who have
put up with these many inconveniences. and to the
married nurses who are making sacrifices to carry on
the work of the hospital during these days of nurse
shortages. We understand why graduate nurses move
to hospitals having more favorable conditions. The
nurse aides and other workers have done their part to
keep the hospital operating.
“The Sisters would continue in this difficult way. if
they could do so without feeling the responsibility of
protecting their patients against hazards. We realized
this. even before the state fire marshal had set a date for
its closing. A temporary repair. as recommended by the
state fire marshal. would cost from $50,000 to $75,000.
and after having spent this on repairs. the building
would lack the services recommended and needed for
modern care of the sick. This would eventuallly lead to
further condemnation. Should the present building be
made fire resistant. it would have to be vacated for
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