Compared with the disbursements of the previous year, the net cost of running the Hospital is increased this year by the sum of $4,570.46. Against this there have been treated 227 more patients, and 3562 more weeks' board have been furnished. Taking the total amount of disbursements, $118,539.16, and deducting from this the excess of stock on hand at the end over that at the beginning of the year, being $2,596.80, together with the amount received from paying patients and the sale of old material, etc., there is left the sum of $112,796.44 as the total cost to the city of supporting the Hospital for the year, which is at the average cost per patient of $9.411⁄2 per week. There has been a slight increase in the number of persons employed about the Hospital, as was necessary from the larger number of patients treated, and the consequent additional work. No change has been made in the general rates of pay of the employés, but the increase that appears in the amount expended for "salaries and labor" is largely due to changes made in the manner of doing the work. The making of bread, instead of purchasing it, has proved to lessen its cost; but the pay of the baker is now charged to "salaries and labor" instead of the bread account. The cost of the. care of grounds, which has been nearly $2,000 per year by contract, was formerly charged to the item of "buildings and grounds." But by the employment of a gardener at a stated monthly rate of pay for the whole year, nearly the whole cost of the care of the grounds appears in the labor account, while an annual saving of from $600 to $800 is made by the change. This arrangement has also been a very satisfactory one to the Hospital in all respects, and with the new propagating house for the preservation, etc., of the plants in cold weather, we shall be able, when the plan is fully carried out, to do a good deal in the way of adorning the wards in winter with plants and flowers. The additional accommodations for patients and other much-needed requirements that will be provided in the new buildings that are to be constructed during the coming year, will go far towards supplying all the present needs of the Hospital in this respect. The clergy and the friends of the Hospital, who have contributed so much to the comfort of the patients in times past, have continued their kind attentions during the last year with increased interest. We have received many very acceptable gifts of books, pamphlets, files of magazines and illustrated papers, that have given much instruction and entertainment to the patients. The ladies of the Flower Mission, and individuals both within the city and from beyond its limits, have kindly remembered the patients with frequent gifts of flowers. The officers of the Hospital who have been associated with me in its management are entitled to much credit for the faithful and efficient performance of their duties. Very meritorious services have been rendered by the employés in general. Few changes have been made among them during the year, and, with few exceptions, all have done well and made marked improvement. The gentlemen of the medical staff have my sincere gratitude for their cordial co-operation in the work of the past year. The degree of success that has attended the labors of the year affords me much satisfaction; and while they have been unusually arduous, no more gratifying aid and encouragement could have been given me by the Board of Trustees than the many evidences of its continued confidence. Thanking the Board for this, I may express the hope that the wellapproved principles of government and management, through which so much has already been accomplished here, will receive the support that is essential to the furtherance of the work that is now but fairly begun. Very respectfully, Your obedient seryant, EDWARD COWLES, Resident Physician and Superintendent. |