THE HOSPITAL SUNDAY FUND APPEAL
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sia,—May I claim the hospitality of your columns to draw attention to the coining again of Hospital Sunday, which falls this year on June 26th? I have two very good reasons for asking all classes to make this year a specially generous effort in aid Of the Hospital-Sunday Fund. In the first place, this will be the Fund's Sixtieth Annual Collection—its diamond jubilee—and there is but one way in which this anniversary can be adequately celebrated—viz., by a bigger collection than ever ! Secondly, I wish to urge upon my fellow-citizens with all the earnestness I possess, the imperative necessity of maintaining at the highest pitch of efficiency the magnificent defence against disease and pestilence which we have in our hospitals.
The preventive side of the work of the hospitals is, I think, hardly sufficiently appreciated, but when it is realized that they probably prevent ten times as much disease as they cure, some idea of the protection they afford us may be gained. Partial payment for treatment at the Hospitals is provided for nowadays by many excellent schemes, but it should be remembered that the hospitals' fight is for the healthy as well as the sick, and that for every case treated there are ten people in no need of treatment who owe their good health to the work done by the hospitals in attacking disease before disease attacks humanity. It is only by our voluntary contributions to such institutions as the Hospital-Sunday Fund that the cost of this work can be met, and this —perhaps the most important—side of hospital activity efficiently maintained.
It is with every confidence, therefore, that I appeal to all Londoners and Greater Londoners for a combined effort to make this a record year for the Hospital-Sunday Fund. The fund has suffered in recent years from the increasing habit of spending the week-end away from London. I ask, therefore, that those who are away at the week-end or who are otherwise prevented from attending their usual place of worship, will send their donations to me, addressed : "The Metropolitan Hospital-Sunday Fund, The Mansion House, London."—I am, Sir, &c., MAURICE JENKS, Lord Mayor. President and Treasurer, Hospital Sunday Fund. The Mansion House, London, E.C.
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