We are met to endeavour to raise sufficient money to erect a hospital
or infirmary worthy of the town of Newport. There are two statements
nobody can dispute: Newport is a large and yearly increasing seaport,
and a town of this magnitude ought not to be without a large and
splendid hospital. I am afraid that with many people the idea of a
hospital or infirmary does not go further than a small subscription
and a few admission tickets to give away. But I wish to explain to the
public generally the enormous advantages and the necessity of a good
and well-organized hospital in the town. Whatever subscription you
give you may be pretty nearly certain that the money will be spent in
the right way. All other charities are more or less liable to some
sort of imposture, but that is almost impossible with a hospital. I
remember, as a soldier in the old days, that there was a certain sort
of complaint we used to call malingering. If a man wanted to shirk any
duty he pretended to be ill, but was very soon found out by the
regimental doctor. So in the same way hospital doctors will soon find
out the malingerer. A hospital is a high school of medicine for young
doctors, who not only mix with scientific people at the institution,
but gain a high moral feeling, so that there is no room for small
petty jealousies amongst the medical practitioners. Then look at the
injured people carried to the hospital. They have the best of care,
and in most cases are turned out cured, sound and strong. If it were
not for the hospital, they would probably be cripples or invalids for
life. In that way hospitals save the rates. I am sure that hundreds
are yearly turned out of the infirmary sound in mind and body, able to
support their families and keep them off the rates.
Then, again, a hospital makes an excellent school for nurses. That is
one of the greatest benefits possible, because the authorities of the
hospital are always strictly careful that nurses, before they are sent
out, are thoroughly proficient. I am sure no building ground or house,
or any other little present I may have given in the course of my life,
will be more useful than the land I have given for this site. I hope,
in addition to the land, to be able to give a good sum of money if I
see it is required.
_Meeting in connection with a new Infirmary for Newport,
March 11th, 1896._