The modern hospital; its inspiration, its architecture, its equipment: its operation

Front matter

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

0043076190

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Preface

Tn resigning the rranuscripl of this book to the publishers, the autho so in full appreciation of its many shortcomings and of its unfinished character. In mitigation of the o Tense, they beg to recall to the public mind the sparsity of hospital literature, am' the many rapid changes thai are taking place in the science

of hospital administration, thai would render the literature of today valueless for tomorrow. If the wisdom of the main- splendid hospital administrators has no1 been called into requisition more frequently in its pages, it is because there is practically no literature from the pens of these men to draw upon for inspiration.

If one of the authors has many times employed illustrations from the institution over which he has the honor to preside, it has not been in any vainglorious spirit, but solely for the reason that he has been more familiar with the workings of that institution than with many that may perhaps be doing things far better, and many of its methods of operation arc expressions of his own conviction-.

This book has the tremendous weakness of being a record almost wholly of the experiences of two men, and the authors have seriousljr pondered the question of how far a discriminating public will be willing to follow the experiences of an individual through a book the size of this. In justification, it may be urged that the history of mankind is a composite of individual life stories, and it is only an infinitesimal number of these millions of members of human society who have here ventured to record their own experiences, not in the hope of permanent fame or glory, but merely with the hope that there may be contained within its pages some new thought, or some old thoughl clothed in new garb, that may help some perplexed and tired worker, and if this shall come to pass, the hook will not have been written in vain.

It will be noted that in many parts of the book reference i- made to articles manufactured by individuals and firms, and the names and addresses of these firms are given. The authors and the publishers are quite aware of the opportunity that this arrangement offers for criticism, and perhaps for charges ii\ interested people that it lias been done by way of advertising, and perhaps for a price. In answer to this, the authors have onlj to -ay that not one single dollar has been paid by any one, excepting the authors, for any purpose in connection with this book, but the authors and publishers feel that if a recommendation of any article is worthy of serious attention on the part of the reader, then the reader lias also aright to all the information at the author-' disposal, and this information must include the name and address of the person or linn fro m whom the article

may be purchased.

No attempt has been made in this book to achieve a literary success. It is merely what its name implies — a hook about the modern hospital, the inspirations that bring it into being, its architecture, its equipment, and it- administration.

John Allen Hornsby,

Km ii VSD E. S( HM1DT, Chicago, Ii.i.., Ha ch, 1913.

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