An abstract of the rules with respect to the Governors, &c.
An abstract of the rules with respect to the Governors, &c.
An abstract of the rules with respect to the Governors, &c.
I. Every person paying twenty guineas or upwards, or paying five guineas, and signing an agreement to pay the same sum for the four next succeeding years, is admitted a Governor, except all persons acting as Physician, Surgeon, Apothecary, or Secretary to this hospital, (other than the six Apothecaries declared Governors at the general meeting held on the 29th of June 1750.)
II. For transacting the business of this hospital, a general court is held twice every year, viz. on the second Wednesday in the months of February and August, and at such general courts as are herein after mentioned, and every general court consists of nine Governors.
III. At the general court held annually on the second Wednesday in the month of February, one President, four Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a general Committee, Physician, Surgeon, Apothecary, and Secretary, are elected for the year ensuing. And no person acting as Physician, Surgeon, or Apothecary to any other hospital or infirmary, can be Physician, Surgeon, or Apothecary to this hospital.
IV. All questions are determined by the majority of Governors present, on holding up of hands, or by a division, or by a ballot, in case it is required by seven or more Governors before a division is begun; and in all cases of an equality of votes, the person presiding for the time being has the casting vote. In all debates the person speaking stands up, and addresses himself to the chair, and no person is to speak more than once to the same question without leave.
V. At the general court to be held annually on the second Wednesday in August, a special committee of seven Governors, who are not of the general committee, are appointed to audit and examine the several accounts relating to this hospital, and report their opinion of such accounts to the general court held on the second Wednesday in February following,
VI. The President has power to order special general courts to be summoned as often as he thinks necessary: and, upon every vacancy in the office of Treasurer, Physician, Surgeon, Apothecary, or Secretary, a general court is summoned to meet, in order to fill up the vacancy. But no person is intitled to vote at such general court, unless he has paid his subscriptionmoney on or before the day in which the vacancy is declared.
VII. The general committee consists of the President, Vice-Presidents, and Treasurer for the time being, and of the five Governors named as lessees in the lease of the ground on which the hospital is built, and of all persons who have paid 100l. or upwards for the use of the hospital; and of such twenty-four Governors residing within the bills of mortality, as are annually elected for that purpose at the general court held on the second Wednesday in February, of which committee five at least are necessary to do business. They meet one stated day in every month, or oftener if they see convenient, and at such other times as the Treasurer, or any sub-committee for the time being appoint. And have power to hire, govern, and discharge the domestic servants of this hospital, to keep the buildings properly repaired, and purchase provisions, furniture, and other necessaries for the same: To admit and discharge patients: To see that the several books relating to the hospital be regularly kept: That all debts, legacies, annual subscriptions, and other revenues of this hospital be received and recovered as the same shall respectively become due: That allmoneys in the hands of the Treasurer, above what is necessary in the opinion of the said committee for defraying the current expences of the hospital, be from time to time placed out in transferable government securities, and no other, in the names of the Treasurer for the time being, and two of the Vice-Presidents, or of two such other Governors as the general court shall appoint for that purpose: and that all just demands be regularly discharged at least once in six months. The committee have power to relieve any patient at his or her discharge with any sum not exceeding 20 s.
VIII. For the more easy dispatch of business, this committee has power to summon sub-committees, one of which is called the house committee; and such sub-committees have power to summon the general committee as often as they think proper.
IX. All purchases of provisions, and other materials for the use of the hospital, are to be made as often as possible by contract. But no contract is to be made by which any member of the committee is directly or indirectly concerned,
X. A book intitled The Visitor’s book, is kept in the hospital, for the Governors to enter complaints of any neglect or misconductin the officers or servants, these complaints being signed by such Governor’s name, are taken into consideration, and redressed by the committee.
XI. The Physician, who is allowed to have the liberty of pupils, attends every committee day, and one other day in the week, and as often otherwise as there is occasion. The Surgeon also attends the hospital every weekly committee day, and as often as there is occasion; and the six Apothecaries who generously attend and administer their medicines gratis, are there monthly by rotation, attending every weekly committee day, and two other days in the week, and as often at other times as there is occasion.
XII. That every officer or servant who shall take any fee, gratuity or reward, directly or indirectly, from any tradesman or other person dealing with this hospital, patient, or friend of any patient, in respect of any service done or to be done, shall forthwith be discharged, and rendered incapable of being received again into the service of this hospital. Except that it shall be lawful for the Secretary of this hospital, upon his waiting on every Governor with a staff and a printed copy of the rules and orders of this hospital, to accept of a fee not exceeding one guinea.
Before we conclude this article it is proper to observe, that though this hospital was opened so lately as the 30th of July 1751, yet so great has been the encouragement it has met with, that on the 18th of August 1758, the clear estate of the hospital amounted to 14,502l. of which 14,200l. were in threeper cent.East India annuities. At that time the number of discharged cured, amounted to 247, and those uncured to 138. Fifty patients were in the house; besides 20 patients who had been before discharged, and received again at 5s.perweek.
Lukener’slane, Drury lane.†
Lumbercourt, West street, Soho.
Lumley’sAlmshouse, in Pest-house fields, near Old street, was erected by the Viscountess Lumley, in the year 1672, for the accommodation of six poor women of the parishes of Bishopsgate and Aldgate; to each of whom she granted an allowance of 4l. and twelve bushels of coalsper annum.
Lumley’scourt, in the Strand.†
Lumley’sstreet, Marsham street.†
Lunn’scourt, White’s yard.†
Lutkin’scorner, Mill street.†
Lying-in Hospital, for married women, in Brownlow street, Long Acre. Amidst the variety of charities that are the distinctionand glory of this age and nation, perhaps none has been proposed to the public more extensive in its benefits than the hospitals in this city for lying-in women. It is natural to observe, that the arguments for establishing any hospital, are at least as strong when applied to these. Poverty is an object of pity; sickness and poverty united seem to comprehend all the natural evils of life, and how great is the calamity of those poor who are frequently or periodically afflicted with sickness; and though their labour is at other times a bare support, are annually disqualified for providing for themselves and families! During the latter part of their pregnancy, and the time of their lying-in, the needy family is wholly taken up in attendance upon them; and the joys natural at such a season, are suppressed by the wants which surround them. Or if they be destitute of this attendance, how great is the hazard that the helpless mother, or the child, or perhaps both, may by their deaths become melancholy instances of the evils of real poverty!
By the plan of this hospital, every convenience these distressed objects can require, is amply provided; commodious apartments and beds, good nursing, plain suitable diet, proper medicines, the charitableassistance of gentlemen of skill and experience in midwifery, and, on due occasions, the spiritual comfort of a sober and pious divine.
Between the 7th of December 1749, when women were first admitted, and the 12th of April 1751, 299 patients received orders of admission; and the number of patients greatly increasing, four small houses contiguous to the back of the hospital were added to it, and fitted up at a great expence.
Women are received into this hospital in the last month of their pregnancy, on producing a letter of recommendation from a Governor, and making an affidavit of their marriage and their husband’s settlement, which affidavit is prepared for themgratisby the Secretary; and where the husband cohabits with the wife, he is to join in the affidavit, unless prevented by sickness, or some other reasonable impediment. It is also required, that the women produce a testimonial of their honesty and poverty, under the hands of two substantial housekeepers in the neighbourhood where they lodge or reside, in case the weekly board shall, on examination, doubt of their being in such circumstances as to be proper objects of the charity.
Friday being the day appointed for theadmission of women, they are to be at the hospital by ten o’clock in the forenoon, no letters of recommendation being received after that hour, it being necessary, for the dispatch of the business of the hospital, that their affidavits should be prepared and sworn to, before the weekly board sits, who enter upon business at eleven.
During their continuance in the house, necessaries are provided for them and their children, at the sole charge of the hospital; no money or other gratuity is to be taken of them by the nurses, or by any of the officers or servants of the house, on any pretence whatsoever.
That this excellent charity may be rendered more extensively useful to the public, and that not only this great metropolis, but the remotest parts of the kingdom may be supplied with well-instructed and experienced midwives, four female pupils at a time are permitted to attend the hospital, in order to their being instructed in midwifery. These pupils must be widows or married women, not less than twenty-five years of age, of a sober character, and such as are approved of by the committee. These are allowed to stay and board six months in the hospital, during which they dine at the steward’sand matron’s table. The gentlemen of the faculty who attend the hospital, at stated times, give them lectures in midwifery, and instruct them how to act in all natural and difficult births. And when they are thoroughly instructed, and sufficiently experienced, they receive from these gentlemen, on their leaving the hospital, certificates of their qualification. The expences of their instruction and board in the hospital have been settled at a general court; the particulars of which any persons desirous of becoming pupils may be informed of, by applying to the matron of the hospital. But no pupils of the male sex are permitted to attend this hospital.
The officers of this hospital, are, a perpetual President, four Vice-Presidents, and a Treasurer, who are chosen annually.
Two Physicians, and two Surgeons, practising midwifery, deliver the women in difficult cases. These gentlemen also meet at the hospital in consultation every Tuesday morning.
A Chaplain reads divine service in the hospital, baptizes the children, churches the women, and performs the necessary duties belonging to his function.
An Apothecary prepares such medicinesas are prescribed for the women and children.
A Secretary keeps the accounts of the hospital, attends at general meetings, and weekly boards, and does all other business commonly done by the Secretaries, Clerks, or Registers at other hospitals.
A Steward takes care of the provisions and furniture, and does such other business as belongs to his office.
A Matron, well skilled in midwifery, delivers the women in easy, natural labours, takes care of the women, superintends the nurses, and sees every thing necessary for the women and children provided according to the direction of the Physicians and Surgeons. She has under her an assistant matron.
All officers and servants of the hospital, above the rank of assistant matron, a messenger, and nurses, are elected by ballot at a general court of the Governors: and on any vacancy, the day of election for filling it up is appointed at least one month, and not more than three months, from the day such vacancy happens, unless directed otherwise by an express order of a general court: but the inferior servants are appointed by a weekly committee.
The qualification of an annual Governorof this charity is a subscription of three guineas or upwardsper annum; and of a perpetual Governor, the payment of thirty guineas at one time, which intitles the subscriber to recommend, and have in the house one woman at a time. A subscription of six guineas a year, or a payment at once of sixty, intitles the subscriber to have in the house two women at a time, and so, in proportion, for larger sums.
Ladies subscribing the like sums have the privilege of recommending women in the same manner as Governors. They have likewise a right of voting in all elections at general courts, for officers and servants, by proxy, provided such proxy be a Governor of this charity; or they may send a letter to the board without a proxy, naming the person they vote for, which is regarded as their vote: but no Governor is to be proxy for more than one lady at a time.
Benefactions or subscriptions of smaller sums than those abovementioned, are thankfully received, and properly applied to the use of the charity.
A general meeting of the Governors is held every quarter; and the sole power of making laws and rules for the government of the hospital is lodged in this general court.
A committee of fifteen Governors is chosen at each quarterly general court; of whom the Treasurer for the time being is always one, and any number of these may transact business. Every Friday morning they meet at the hospital, to receive the women recommended, and to direct the ordinary affairs of the house. Temporary orders are made by this committee for the service of the hospital; but a report of these and all their other proceedings, are made to the quarterly general court. Any Governor of the charity may be present at this weekly committee; but none have a right of voting there, except those who are members of the committee, and the President or Vice-Presidents, if present. The same rule extends to all other committees.
A special general court may, on a fortnight’s notice, be called at any time between the quarterly courts, either by order of a general court, or of the weekly committee; or at the demand of the Treasurer, or of any five of the Governors; this demand being delivered in writing at the weekly board, and signed with their respective names; the business of such special court to be expressed in this writing, and in the summons to the Governors.From the account of this hospital publishedby order of the Governors.SeeLondon Lying-in Hospital.
This, and the London hospital for lying-in women, must be allowed to be truly noble charities; but many have thought them too limited, as the relief afforded to poor distressed women in a situation that calls upon humanity to lend them help, ease, and comfort, is confined to those who are married: and the more unhappy women, who have the sting of guilt added to pain, are excluded from receiving the least benefit from those foundations. The following hospital has therefore been founded on a more extensive plan.
Lying-in Hospital, in Duke street, Grosvenor square, for unmarried as well as married women, who are here received and relieved, in order to prevent the unhappy consequences that too often proceed from their situation; such as perjuries, false affidavits, and that most formidable and unnatural of all crimes, the murder of their poor guiltless infants. To prevent these dreadful effects, every convenience is here amply provided for them, commodious apartments and beds, good nursing, plain, suitable diet, proper medicines, the charitable assistance of gentlemen of skill and experience in midwifery, and,on due occasions, the spiritual comfort of a sober, pious, and exemplary divine.
This hospital, which first began in Jermyn street, St. James’s, and was from thence removed into Duke street, is governed by a President, a Vice-President, and a Treasurer, annually elected out of the Governors, greatest benefactors to this charity; by a general court of Governors held in the months of March, June, September, and December, to take the reports of the committees; and by a house committee who inspect accounts and transact such business as is laid before them.
At the general quarterly courts a physical committee is appointed out of the Physicians, Men-midwives, Surgeons, and Apothecaries, who are to meet once a month to examine the medicines and drugs brought into the dispensatory, and none are suffered to be used without their approbation.
Two Physicians and two Surgeons attend twice a week on extraordinary cases; a Surgeon and Man-midwife, in great business in the neighbourhood, gives attendance at any hour of the day or night he is called for, particularly from eleven of the clock till one, every day; and such objects as come within these hours, haveadvice in physic and surgery, without fee or reward, whether recommended or accidental.
No officers or servants are permitted, on pain of expulsion, to take any fee, reward, or gratuity whatsoever, of patients or other persons, for any service done or to be done in this hospital.
Every Governor or subscriber is intitled to send one in-patient at a time, and out-patients without limitation. All subscriptions are during pleasure; but all persons are requested to pay at the time of subscribing. Those who contribute two guineas a year are Governors while they continue their subscription, and those who give 20l. at one payment, are Governors during life, and have a vote and interest at the committees, and their attendance is esteemed a favour; but those who subscribe less than two guineasper annum, are only subscribers.
The poor women recommended by the Governors and subscribers are received on Wednesdays and Fridays, from eleven o’clock till one.From the account of this hospital published by order of the Governors.
For the other lying-in hospitals, besides the two above mentioned, see the articlesLondon Lying-in Hospital, andMiddlesex Hospital.
Lyon’s Inn.SeeLion’s Inn.