Norwood Historical Society: This Day In Norwood History-February 5

Press release from the Norwood Historical Society:

2022-02-05

January 5th 1943 – The Norwood Messenger

Topping all previous years in the number of cases handled, the total of 4066 individuals who were treated at the Norwood Hospital in 1942 was greater by 500 than the number treated in any other year, it was revealed in the annual report of Administrator Bobert Brown at a meeting of he Hospital Corporation last Friday evening.

The record number of cases was handled at the local institution in spite of adverse conditions which resulted in the most trying year in the hospital’s history. Among the contributing factors were the labor situation with employees entering the armed forces or resigning for more lucrative jobs, the scarcity of foods and hospital supplies, in addition to higher prices.

Building problems and the obtaining of equipment were also a daily trial, the report states.

Of the 4066 individuals treated at the hospital during the year, Norwood heads the list with 1788 patients, representing 44 per cent of the total.

Through careful planning and management, it was possible in the face of many problems to keep expenditures in line with income, in fact to the extent that the deficit this year is less by $1,692 than that of 1941.

In spite of greatly increased activity in industry, industrial accident cases admitted at the hospital during the year were but 505, only two more than the preceding year.

This press release was produced by the Norwood Historical Society. The views expressed here are the author’s own.