The Colteaux hospital is now in complete operation. This may sound like a peculiar statement in view of the fact that it has been in operation for at least six weeks, but until the past week it was only being used as a temporary arrangement. Now it has each and every room equipped for its special use. The rooms are all numbered in regular style so as to avoid confusion. The patients' rooms are nicely furnished with everything for their comfort. There are rooms and cots for seven patients. While this may not be sufficient at times, should occasion demand more there will be room available so that no one need fear not finding room there in case of emergency.
In the matter of cost, everybody knows that the doctor purchased this place at a very reasonable price considering the splendid location, the one large building and the potentially beautiful grounds. We most not consider that this first cost is the actual cost of the place. There are single rooms with equipment in them that cost more than the purchase price of the building. Price or cost is one of the things the doctor never discusses but a close observation will show that from a business point of view this hospital represents an investment that will compare favorably with any other businesses in the locality.
Going back to the building it is equipped with all modern improvements with bathrooms on each floor, heating apparatus, laundry, etc. in the basement. There is a special wire from the local light plant to the hospital so that in case of accident to the village lines the hospital will be the last place to suffer if it suffers at all. The operating room is nicely arranged, has plenty of light, with frosted glass windows to avoid glare and (?) of that element.
The electrical room is equipped with four different machines for electrical treatment. These are different machines and each for a special use of which a description that we might give would tell but little. The (?) room is equipped with so many kinds of apparatus that we could not mention all, but there is one combination that we must not miss. First an aluminum cot under which an X-Ray light is installed. This light passes through aluminum as ordinary light does through glass. Then the doctor has a specially prepared head piece to look at objects shown by this light. This gives him the free use of both hands and is very convenient in taking X-Ray views. Several parts of the combination is of the doctor's own invention. There is also a dark room for developing X-Ray pictures.
Dr. Colteaux, head of this institution, puts in much of his time "on the road" as he always has, but a large practice may now be confined to the one place which gives him an opportunity for much better service.
Miss Stella Davis, head nurse of the hospital, is a native of Thawville. She is a graduate nurse from the Champaign Hospital and has had several years successful experience as a nurse in this county. She is well qualified for the place and we believe will prove the doctor's good judgment in her selection.
Orville Knight is another employee of the place who should not be missed even in the most casual writeup. He has driven the Colteaux automobile for so many years that he has rightfully gained a place of distinction here. When the roads were good and when they were bad, on the darkest nights, through the hardest storms, through the deepest mud, through floods, snow banks, and over the roughest roads, day and night, Orville has driven the car through Lyman, Wall, Germanville, Benton, Artesia, Loda and all surrounding townships. He remains and drives the car and when not on active duty is on the waiting list at the hospital.
There are other employees and there are rooms that we have not described. We must leave them for some future article. In the meantime the question might be asked, "Will it pay?" The answer is emphatically, "Yes". In dollars and cents? "Yes"; but most of all in the satisfaction of "a duty well performed"; a preparation to use the talents that have been for the greatest benefit to his fellowmen.
--Roberts Herald. 21 March 1923.
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