News Brief

Director, Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York.

Assuming that for many years to come, government divisions will not entirely take over the health and hospital service, the question may be rightfully asked: Why should Jews try to keep Jews healthy? It is already known, for example, that more Jews are treated in non-Jewish hospitals and dispensaries than in institutions controlled by Jews.

The same could not be said with reference to private practice. It is believed that Jewish physicians everywhere treat the majority of the Jewish population. Although non-Jewish physicians have no negligible amount of Jewish patients, the number of non-Jewish patients treated by Jewish physicians may be regarded as relatively small.

In the case of hospitals it can not be said that if the larger cities were without Jewish hospitals, there would result an insufficient number of beds for the community’s problem of illness, for it is generally known that there has been for several years, and there are now, a larger number of beds than can be utilized.

The situation is much different in dispensary service. While there are numerous types of out-patient department facilities, the load of patients in them is heavy, and in the possible absence of Jewish dispensaries, should such ever come about, thousands would turn to the existing overtaxed, under-manned, and physically inadequate municipal and non-Jewish dispensaries already conducted at large deficits.

WHAT PRICE TREATMENT?

One might ask: What price do the Jews pay for their health and hospital service? The Bureau of Jewish Social Research reports that for the year 1932, fifteen federations spent 32.4 per cent of their funds for health service. It represents the largest single functional expenditure among a dozen activities supported by these federations.

It is safe to say that of whatever Jews contribute toward construction and maintenance of charitable institutions, at least one-third goes toward health and hospital service.

It is not without reason that the relative position of health and hospital service in the entire welfare field is with some apprehension regarded as a high one.

It is traditional with the Jew to have his own institutions, wherever he dwells. It is one of the many ways in which he gives self-expression to his cultural and philanthropic stirrings.

ENVIRONMENT CONGENIAL

Since the influence is mutual, it is natural that Jewish institutions form a congenial Jewish environment for Jews. They find in them men, women, things, and atmosphere, to whom and to which they are accustomed. The hospital is a good example.

The existence of Jewish institutions adds to their self-respect, and to the respect of their neighbors for them. Jewish life around Jewish institutions gives Jews a greater feeling of security. This is especially true in many East European countries. I have seen it. It is now also true in Germany, where the Jew, who has been identified with Jewishness, Jewish organizations, or Jewish institutions, has found some comfort and security.