Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite and bituminous ...

490 Beports of the iNsrECXOES OF Mines. [Off. Doc.
applicant for certificate has the qualifications that go to make a
mine-boss.
g-ood
While preparing- this report I paid a visit to the Cottage hospital at
Phillipsburg. The state authorities did well in locating this institution
it is in the center of a large mining population, and the site upon which
it is erected is admirably suited for such a purpose. The hospital was
formally opened February 22, 1891, and in less than one year 93 patients
had received the benefits of its treatment, of these 46 were miners and
38 were injuries received in and about the mines. There are 24 cots or
beds in the Avards and 14 of them have been the greatest number occupied
at one time. Nine patients have been the average ; 3 deaths have
occurred in the hospitals, two of the cases were nearly dead when brought
within its walls. There have been 6 cases of amputation of arms, 3
cases of amputation of legs, and a great number of fingers and parts of
hands taken ofi". There have been two cases of double amputation, and
in both cases it has been the right leg and left arm ; there have been
more broken legs than any other class of injuries. The average duration
of the most serious cases has been 88 days. Great success has attended
all the cases brought under its care.
I would like to help dispel tlie prejudice that exists among many
miners of the English-speaking classes against treatment in hospitals,
I am satisfied that notwithstanding the comfort and convenience of some
homes among miners, that a man injured in any manner and to any ex-
tent can at this hospital be kept cleaner, and healthier and receive bet-
ter attendance than at his own home, for the reason that everything that
conduces to the comfort and well being of an injured person is here pro-
vided, and he is attended by kind, considerate and experienced nurses,
and being constantly under medical vigilance, he is given food that suits
his condition, and is not allowed to eat that wLicli counteracts the
efforts of nature to reassert herself and the influence of medicine to aid
her. The superintendent and chief nurse is Miss M. A. Fisher, and her
politeness, kindness and patience, and her ability is acknowleded; she is
aided by Mr. E. Dixon, interpreter and ward nurse, and Mr. B. Baker,
night nurse, who are both genial young men and are well thought of.
Dr. Alport is physician-in-chief, and Drs. Buckingham and Andrews are
the present attendants.
BmsBiN, Pa., February S3, 1SD2.
Yours respectfully,
D. H. Thomas.
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