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7/osp/ta ls In Rac/a/f
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A twentieth century hospital is a strictly modern development.   Time was in the memory of many people living today, when
professional nurses were unknown, and the care of the sick and
friends and
wounded was entirely a family affair,  except  for the help of.kind-
A
ly neighbors in emergencies. At the present time- 1932 - there are
about seven thousand hospitals in the United States. Sixty years
ago there were only a few, and they were poorly equipped and in
the large cities only. Small cities and communities had none. Now
nearly all populous centers have good hospital service.
StIcire's a hq St Mary's
Racine now has two large,  fully equipped and well-managed
hospitals,- St.Lufces and St. Marys.  To the former several large
new units have but  recently been put in service,  and it may truly
be said that no hospital in the country today is better equipped
for the protection,  treatment,  care,  comfort and convenience of
its patients than is  St.Lukefs Hospital,  Racine.  To the other hospital - St. Mary's,  additional buildings are in course of erection
and will be completed within a year,  which will more than double
its capacity for usefulness.   It-,  also,  is  thoroughly up-to-date
in its equipment  for service.
     The- P//jsF Stfp
In 1871 there was no hospital in Racine, and the first known
move,resuiting in action,that was made to provide hospital service
here was a meeting neld at the office of Dr. John G. Meachem, Sr.,
on his invitation, in December, 1871, when there were present
Dr. James DeKoven, of Racine College; Rev. E. C. Porter, Rector
of St.Luke's Episcopal Church, Lr.^Meachem, Sr., and John G.
Meachem, Jr.. At this meeting the need of a hospital in Racine,