APPENDIXIThe following letter, lately published in the New York ‘Church Union’ by a well-known physician of New York, is interesting as the testimony of a gentleman who was a fellow-student in the Geneva Medical College.The Medical Co-education of the Sexes. ByStephen Smith, M.D.Medical circles were recently entertained by a symposium of prominent physicians discussing the propriety of the medical co-education of the sexes. All of the writers were opposed to the suggestion; some, notably Dr. Weir Mitchell, of Philadelphia, expressed the utmost disgust at the proposition. It happened to me to have witnessed the first instance of the co-education of medical students of both sexes in this country, and the results quite upset the theories of these gentlemen.The first course of medical lectures which I attended was in a medical college in the interior of this State in 1847-48. The class, numbering about 150 students, was composed largely of young men from the neighbouring towns. They were rude, boisterous, and riotous beyond comparison. On several occasions the residents of the neighbourhood sent written protests to the faculty, threatening to have the college indicted as a nuisance ifthe disturbance did not cease. During lectures it was often almost impossible to hear the professors, owing to the confusion.Some weeks after the course began the dean appeared before the class with a letter in his hand, which he craved the indulgence of the students to be allowed to read. Anticipation was extreme when he announced that it contained the most extraordinary request which had ever been made to the faculty. The letter was written by a physician of Philadelphia, who requested the faculty to admit as a student a lady who was studying medicine in his office. He stated that she had been refused admission by several medical colleges, but, as this institution was in the country, he thought it more likely to be free from prejudice against a woman medical student. The dean stated that the faculty had taken action on the communication, and directed him to report their conclusion to the class. The faculty decided to leave the matter in the hands of the class, with this understanding—that if any single student objected to her admission, a negative reply would be returned. It subsequently appeared that the faculty did not intend to admit her, but wished to escape direct refusal by referring the question to the class, with a proviso which, it was believed, would necessarily exclude her.But the whole affair assumed the most ludicrous aspect to the class, and the announcement was received with the most uproarious demonstrations of favour. A meeting was called for the evening, which was attended by every member. The resolution approving the admission of the lady was sustained by a number of the most extravagant speeches, which were enthusiastically cheered. The vote was finally taken, with what seemed to be one unanimous yell, ‘Yea!’ When the negative vote was called, a single voice was heard uttering a timid ‘No.’The scene that followed passes description. A general rush was made for the corner of the room which emitted the voice, and the recalcitrant member was only too glad to acknowledge his error and record his vote in the affirmative. The faculty received the decision of the class with evident disfavour, and returned an answer admitting the lady student. Two weeks or more elapsed, and as the lady student did not appear, the incident of her application was quite forgotten, and the class continued in its riotous career. One morning, all unexpectedly, a lady entered the lecture-room with the professor; she was quite small of stature, plainly dressed, appeared diffident and retiring, but had a firm and determined expression of face. Her entrance into that Bedlam of confusion acted like magic upon every student. Each hurriedly sought his seat, and the most absolute silence prevailed. For the first time a lecture was given without the slightest interruption, and every word could be heard as distinctly as it would if there had been but a single person in the room. The sudden transformation of this class from a band of lawless desperadoes to gentlemen, by the mere presence of a lady, proved to be permanent in its effects. A more orderly class of medical students was never seen than this, and it continued to be to the close of the term.The real test of the influence of a woman upon the conduct and character of a man in co-education was developed when the Professor of Anatomy came to that part of his course which required demonstrations that he believed should be witnessed only by men. The professor was a rollicking, jovial man, who constantly interspersed his lectures with witty remarks and funny anecdotes. Nor did he study to have his language chaste, or the moral of his stories pure and elevating. In fact, vulgarity and profanity formed a large part of his ordinarylectures; and especially was this true of the lectures on the branch of anatomy above mentioned. On this account, chiefly, he was exceedingly popular with his class; and during his lectures stamping, clapping, and cheering were the principal employments of the students.One morning our lady student was missed at the lecture on anatomy, and the professor entered the room evidently labouring under great excitement. He stated that he had a communication to make to the class which demanded the most serious consideration. He then explained that he had thought it highly improper that the lady student should attend certain lectures specially adapted for men, and as he was approaching that subject he had frankly advised her to absent herself, in a letter which he read. He dwelt upon the indelicacy of the subject, the embarrassment under which he should labour if a lady were present, and the injustice which would be done to the class by the imperfect manner in which he should be obliged to demonstrate the subject. He closed by offering her abundant private opportunities for study and dissection. He then read her reply. It was gracefully written, and showed a full appreciation of his embarrassing position, when viewed from the low standpoint of impure and unchaste sentiments. But she could not conceive of a medical man whose mind was not so elevated and purified by the study of the science of anatomy that such sentiments would for a moment influence him. Coming to the practical question of her attendance upon these lectures, she stated that if the professor would really be embarrassed by the presence of a lady on the first tier of seats, she would take her seat on the upper tier; and she trusted that his interest in his subject would lead him to entirely forget the presence of student No. 130—her registered number. At the close of the letter the professor acknowledged the justice of therebuke which he had received, and declared that a lady who was animated by such elevated views of her profession was entitled to every possible encouragement which the class or faculty could give. He then opened the door and she entered, only to receive an ovation of the most overwhelming character. The lectures on anatomy proceeded in regular order to their conclusion; and it was the universal testimony of the oldest students that they had never listened to such a complete and thorough course.At the close of the term our lady student came up for examination for graduation, and took rank with the best students of the class. As this was the first instance of the granting of a medical diploma to a woman in this country, so far as the faculty had information, there was at first some hesitation about conferring the degree. But it was finally determined to take the novel step, and in the honour list of the roll of graduates for that year appears the name, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.Church Union.New York, 1892.IIAn M.D. in a Gown[The ‘Medical Times’ of the 21st ult. contains a full, true, and particular account of the admission of a young lady, Miss Elizabeth Blackwell, by the General Medical College, in the State of New York, to a physician’s degree. Miss Blackwell had duly attended lectures at the college, and received a formal diploma, under the title of ‘Domina,’ which was the only feminine that the Senate could find for Doctor. ‘Punch’ really thinks this is a case for a copyof verses, which he accordingly subjoins, in honour of the fair M.D.]Not always is the warrior male,Nor masculine the sailor;We all know Zaragossa’s tale,We’ve all heard ‘Billy Taylor;’But far a nobler heroine, sheWho won the palm of knowledge,And took a Medical Degree,By study at her College.They talk about the gentler sexMankind in sickness tending,And o’er the patient’s couch their necksSolicitously bending;But what avails solicitudeIn fever or in phthisic,If lovely woman’s not imbuedWith one idea of physic?Young ladies all, of every clime,Especially of Britain,Who wholly occupy your timeIn novels or in knitting,Whose highest skill is but to play,Sing, dance, or French to clack well.Reflect on the example, pray,Of excellent Miss Blackwell!Think, if you had a brother ill,A husband, or a lover,And could prescribe the draught or pillWhereby he might recover;How much more useful this would be,Oh, sister, wife, or daughter!Than merely handing him beef-tea,Gruel, or toast-and-water.Ye bachelors about to wedIn youth’s unthinking hey-day,Who look upon a furnish’d headAs horrid for a lady,Who’d call a female doctor ‘blue;’You’d spare your sneers, I ratherThink, my young fellows, if you knewWhat physic costs a father!How much more blest were married lifeTo men of small condition,If every one could have his wifeFor family physician;His nursery kept from ailments free,By proper regulation,And for advice his only feeA thankful salutation.For Doctrix Blackwell—that’s the wayTo dub in rightful gender—In her profession, ever mayProsperity attend her! ‘Punch’ a gold-handled parasolSuggests for presentationTo one so well deserving allEsteem and admiration.1849.IIIFirst Annual Report of the New York Dispensary for Poor Women and Children, 1855The design of this institution is to give to poor women an opportunity of consulting physicians of their own sex. The existing charities of our city regard the employment of women as physicians as an experiment, the success of which has not yet been sufficiently proved to admit of cordial co-operation. It was therefore necessary to form a separate institution which should furnish to poor women the medical aid which they could not obtain elsewhere.The following gentlemen cordially consented to act astrustees of the proposed institution: Messrs. Butler, White, Haydock, Sedgwick, Collins, Field, Draper, Greeley, West, Harris, Foster, Raymond, Flanders, Dana, Manning, Spring, Bowne. Consulting physicians, Drs. Kissam, Parker, Cammann, Taylor. Attending physician, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.Messrs. Sedgwick and Butler kindly procured an Act of Incorporation. A meeting for organisation was held on January 30, 1854. A constitution and bylaws were adopted, and the following members were appointed an Executive Committee to transact the business for the year: Stacy B. Collins, Richard H. Bowne, Charles A. Dana, Elizabeth Blackwell, Charles Foster.The Eleventh Ward was chosen as the location for the dispensary, it being destitute of medical charity, while possessing a densely crowded poor population. The necessary rooms were found in Seventh Street, near Tompkins Square, and were ready for the reception of patients in the month of March. The dispensary has been regularly opened through the year, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons, at 3 o’clock. Over 200 poor women have received medical aid. All these women have gratefully acknowledged the help afforded them, and several of the most destitute have tendered their few pence as an offering to the institution.With all these patients, the necessity of cleanliness, ventilation, and judicious diet has been strongly urged, and in many cases the advice has been followed, at any rate for a time. A word of counsel or information, too, has often been given to the destitute widow or friendless girl who was seeking work as well as health; the best methods of seeking employment have been pointed out, suitable charities occasionally recommended, and pecuniary aid sometimes rendered.Since the double distress of commercial pressure andsevere weather have weighed so heavily on the poor, many cases of extreme destitution have come to the dispensary. These have been chiefly emigrants, mostly Germans, without friends or money, and ignorant of the language. Several families have been visited where some member was sick, and found utterly destitute, suffering from hunger, and though honest and industrious, disappointed in every effort to obtain work. To such families a little help with money, generally in the form of a loan till work could be procured, has proved invaluable, and a small poor fund placed by some friends in the hands of the attending physician, for this special object, has saved several worthy families from despair and impending starvation.The dispensary has been removed since January 1, 1855, to No. 150 Third Street, between Avenues A and B, opposite the large Catholic church; all persons who are interested in its objects are cordially invited to call there. It will be open as heretofore from 3 to 5 o’clock on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. Poor women and children may be sent from any part of the city to receive the medical aid of the dispensary, it being free to all.This institution was commenced by the subscriptions of a few friends; its expenses have been kept within its means, but the power of doing good has necessarily been limited by the smallness of its funds. It is found desirable to enlarge its operations, and place it on a permanent basis. For this purpose, the trustees wish to raise the sum of 5,000 dollars, and contributions are earnestly solicited. The following members are appointed to receive contributions:Stacy B. Collins, 155 Bleecker Street,Robert Haydock, 46 Broadway,Elizabeth Blackwell, 79 East Fifteenth Street.The amount raised will be invested as a permanent fund for the institution. It is the hope of the founders of this charity to make it eventually a hospital for women and a school for the education of nurses.The books of the dispensary are always open to the inspection of members, on application to the attending physician.New York: February 8, 1855.
The following letter, lately published in the New York ‘Church Union’ by a well-known physician of New York, is interesting as the testimony of a gentleman who was a fellow-student in the Geneva Medical College.
The Medical Co-education of the Sexes. ByStephen Smith, M.D.
Medical circles were recently entertained by a symposium of prominent physicians discussing the propriety of the medical co-education of the sexes. All of the writers were opposed to the suggestion; some, notably Dr. Weir Mitchell, of Philadelphia, expressed the utmost disgust at the proposition. It happened to me to have witnessed the first instance of the co-education of medical students of both sexes in this country, and the results quite upset the theories of these gentlemen.
The first course of medical lectures which I attended was in a medical college in the interior of this State in 1847-48. The class, numbering about 150 students, was composed largely of young men from the neighbouring towns. They were rude, boisterous, and riotous beyond comparison. On several occasions the residents of the neighbourhood sent written protests to the faculty, threatening to have the college indicted as a nuisance ifthe disturbance did not cease. During lectures it was often almost impossible to hear the professors, owing to the confusion.
Some weeks after the course began the dean appeared before the class with a letter in his hand, which he craved the indulgence of the students to be allowed to read. Anticipation was extreme when he announced that it contained the most extraordinary request which had ever been made to the faculty. The letter was written by a physician of Philadelphia, who requested the faculty to admit as a student a lady who was studying medicine in his office. He stated that she had been refused admission by several medical colleges, but, as this institution was in the country, he thought it more likely to be free from prejudice against a woman medical student. The dean stated that the faculty had taken action on the communication, and directed him to report their conclusion to the class. The faculty decided to leave the matter in the hands of the class, with this understanding—that if any single student objected to her admission, a negative reply would be returned. It subsequently appeared that the faculty did not intend to admit her, but wished to escape direct refusal by referring the question to the class, with a proviso which, it was believed, would necessarily exclude her.
But the whole affair assumed the most ludicrous aspect to the class, and the announcement was received with the most uproarious demonstrations of favour. A meeting was called for the evening, which was attended by every member. The resolution approving the admission of the lady was sustained by a number of the most extravagant speeches, which were enthusiastically cheered. The vote was finally taken, with what seemed to be one unanimous yell, ‘Yea!’ When the negative vote was called, a single voice was heard uttering a timid ‘No.’The scene that followed passes description. A general rush was made for the corner of the room which emitted the voice, and the recalcitrant member was only too glad to acknowledge his error and record his vote in the affirmative. The faculty received the decision of the class with evident disfavour, and returned an answer admitting the lady student. Two weeks or more elapsed, and as the lady student did not appear, the incident of her application was quite forgotten, and the class continued in its riotous career. One morning, all unexpectedly, a lady entered the lecture-room with the professor; she was quite small of stature, plainly dressed, appeared diffident and retiring, but had a firm and determined expression of face. Her entrance into that Bedlam of confusion acted like magic upon every student. Each hurriedly sought his seat, and the most absolute silence prevailed. For the first time a lecture was given without the slightest interruption, and every word could be heard as distinctly as it would if there had been but a single person in the room. The sudden transformation of this class from a band of lawless desperadoes to gentlemen, by the mere presence of a lady, proved to be permanent in its effects. A more orderly class of medical students was never seen than this, and it continued to be to the close of the term.
The real test of the influence of a woman upon the conduct and character of a man in co-education was developed when the Professor of Anatomy came to that part of his course which required demonstrations that he believed should be witnessed only by men. The professor was a rollicking, jovial man, who constantly interspersed his lectures with witty remarks and funny anecdotes. Nor did he study to have his language chaste, or the moral of his stories pure and elevating. In fact, vulgarity and profanity formed a large part of his ordinarylectures; and especially was this true of the lectures on the branch of anatomy above mentioned. On this account, chiefly, he was exceedingly popular with his class; and during his lectures stamping, clapping, and cheering were the principal employments of the students.
One morning our lady student was missed at the lecture on anatomy, and the professor entered the room evidently labouring under great excitement. He stated that he had a communication to make to the class which demanded the most serious consideration. He then explained that he had thought it highly improper that the lady student should attend certain lectures specially adapted for men, and as he was approaching that subject he had frankly advised her to absent herself, in a letter which he read. He dwelt upon the indelicacy of the subject, the embarrassment under which he should labour if a lady were present, and the injustice which would be done to the class by the imperfect manner in which he should be obliged to demonstrate the subject. He closed by offering her abundant private opportunities for study and dissection. He then read her reply. It was gracefully written, and showed a full appreciation of his embarrassing position, when viewed from the low standpoint of impure and unchaste sentiments. But she could not conceive of a medical man whose mind was not so elevated and purified by the study of the science of anatomy that such sentiments would for a moment influence him. Coming to the practical question of her attendance upon these lectures, she stated that if the professor would really be embarrassed by the presence of a lady on the first tier of seats, she would take her seat on the upper tier; and she trusted that his interest in his subject would lead him to entirely forget the presence of student No. 130—her registered number. At the close of the letter the professor acknowledged the justice of therebuke which he had received, and declared that a lady who was animated by such elevated views of her profession was entitled to every possible encouragement which the class or faculty could give. He then opened the door and she entered, only to receive an ovation of the most overwhelming character. The lectures on anatomy proceeded in regular order to their conclusion; and it was the universal testimony of the oldest students that they had never listened to such a complete and thorough course.
At the close of the term our lady student came up for examination for graduation, and took rank with the best students of the class. As this was the first instance of the granting of a medical diploma to a woman in this country, so far as the faculty had information, there was at first some hesitation about conferring the degree. But it was finally determined to take the novel step, and in the honour list of the roll of graduates for that year appears the name, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.
Church Union.
New York, 1892.
[The ‘Medical Times’ of the 21st ult. contains a full, true, and particular account of the admission of a young lady, Miss Elizabeth Blackwell, by the General Medical College, in the State of New York, to a physician’s degree. Miss Blackwell had duly attended lectures at the college, and received a formal diploma, under the title of ‘Domina,’ which was the only feminine that the Senate could find for Doctor. ‘Punch’ really thinks this is a case for a copyof verses, which he accordingly subjoins, in honour of the fair M.D.]
Not always is the warrior male,Nor masculine the sailor;We all know Zaragossa’s tale,We’ve all heard ‘Billy Taylor;’But far a nobler heroine, sheWho won the palm of knowledge,And took a Medical Degree,By study at her College.They talk about the gentler sexMankind in sickness tending,And o’er the patient’s couch their necksSolicitously bending;But what avails solicitudeIn fever or in phthisic,If lovely woman’s not imbuedWith one idea of physic?Young ladies all, of every clime,Especially of Britain,Who wholly occupy your timeIn novels or in knitting,Whose highest skill is but to play,Sing, dance, or French to clack well.Reflect on the example, pray,Of excellent Miss Blackwell!Think, if you had a brother ill,A husband, or a lover,And could prescribe the draught or pillWhereby he might recover;How much more useful this would be,Oh, sister, wife, or daughter!Than merely handing him beef-tea,Gruel, or toast-and-water.Ye bachelors about to wedIn youth’s unthinking hey-day,Who look upon a furnish’d headAs horrid for a lady,Who’d call a female doctor ‘blue;’You’d spare your sneers, I ratherThink, my young fellows, if you knewWhat physic costs a father!How much more blest were married lifeTo men of small condition,If every one could have his wifeFor family physician;His nursery kept from ailments free,By proper regulation,And for advice his only feeA thankful salutation.For Doctrix Blackwell—that’s the wayTo dub in rightful gender—In her profession, ever mayProsperity attend her! ‘Punch’ a gold-handled parasolSuggests for presentationTo one so well deserving allEsteem and admiration.
Not always is the warrior male,Nor masculine the sailor;We all know Zaragossa’s tale,We’ve all heard ‘Billy Taylor;’But far a nobler heroine, sheWho won the palm of knowledge,And took a Medical Degree,By study at her College.They talk about the gentler sexMankind in sickness tending,And o’er the patient’s couch their necksSolicitously bending;But what avails solicitudeIn fever or in phthisic,If lovely woman’s not imbuedWith one idea of physic?Young ladies all, of every clime,Especially of Britain,Who wholly occupy your timeIn novels or in knitting,Whose highest skill is but to play,Sing, dance, or French to clack well.Reflect on the example, pray,Of excellent Miss Blackwell!Think, if you had a brother ill,A husband, or a lover,And could prescribe the draught or pillWhereby he might recover;How much more useful this would be,Oh, sister, wife, or daughter!Than merely handing him beef-tea,Gruel, or toast-and-water.Ye bachelors about to wedIn youth’s unthinking hey-day,Who look upon a furnish’d headAs horrid for a lady,Who’d call a female doctor ‘blue;’You’d spare your sneers, I ratherThink, my young fellows, if you knewWhat physic costs a father!How much more blest were married lifeTo men of small condition,If every one could have his wifeFor family physician;His nursery kept from ailments free,By proper regulation,And for advice his only feeA thankful salutation.For Doctrix Blackwell—that’s the wayTo dub in rightful gender—In her profession, ever mayProsperity attend her! ‘Punch’ a gold-handled parasolSuggests for presentationTo one so well deserving allEsteem and admiration.
Not always is the warrior male,Nor masculine the sailor;We all know Zaragossa’s tale,We’ve all heard ‘Billy Taylor;’But far a nobler heroine, sheWho won the palm of knowledge,And took a Medical Degree,By study at her College.
Not always is the warrior male,
Nor masculine the sailor;
We all know Zaragossa’s tale,
We’ve all heard ‘Billy Taylor;’
But far a nobler heroine, she
Who won the palm of knowledge,
And took a Medical Degree,
By study at her College.
They talk about the gentler sexMankind in sickness tending,And o’er the patient’s couch their necksSolicitously bending;But what avails solicitudeIn fever or in phthisic,If lovely woman’s not imbuedWith one idea of physic?
They talk about the gentler sex
Mankind in sickness tending,
And o’er the patient’s couch their necks
Solicitously bending;
But what avails solicitude
In fever or in phthisic,
If lovely woman’s not imbued
With one idea of physic?
Young ladies all, of every clime,Especially of Britain,Who wholly occupy your timeIn novels or in knitting,Whose highest skill is but to play,Sing, dance, or French to clack well.Reflect on the example, pray,Of excellent Miss Blackwell!
Young ladies all, of every clime,
Especially of Britain,
Who wholly occupy your time
In novels or in knitting,
Whose highest skill is but to play,
Sing, dance, or French to clack well.
Reflect on the example, pray,
Of excellent Miss Blackwell!
Think, if you had a brother ill,A husband, or a lover,And could prescribe the draught or pillWhereby he might recover;How much more useful this would be,Oh, sister, wife, or daughter!Than merely handing him beef-tea,Gruel, or toast-and-water.
Think, if you had a brother ill,
A husband, or a lover,
And could prescribe the draught or pill
Whereby he might recover;
How much more useful this would be,
Oh, sister, wife, or daughter!
Than merely handing him beef-tea,
Gruel, or toast-and-water.
Ye bachelors about to wedIn youth’s unthinking hey-day,Who look upon a furnish’d headAs horrid for a lady,Who’d call a female doctor ‘blue;’You’d spare your sneers, I ratherThink, my young fellows, if you knewWhat physic costs a father!
Ye bachelors about to wed
In youth’s unthinking hey-day,
Who look upon a furnish’d head
As horrid for a lady,
Who’d call a female doctor ‘blue;’
You’d spare your sneers, I rather
Think, my young fellows, if you knew
What physic costs a father!
How much more blest were married lifeTo men of small condition,If every one could have his wifeFor family physician;His nursery kept from ailments free,By proper regulation,And for advice his only feeA thankful salutation.
How much more blest were married life
To men of small condition,
If every one could have his wife
For family physician;
His nursery kept from ailments free,
By proper regulation,
And for advice his only fee
A thankful salutation.
For Doctrix Blackwell—that’s the wayTo dub in rightful gender—In her profession, ever mayProsperity attend her! ‘Punch’ a gold-handled parasolSuggests for presentationTo one so well deserving allEsteem and admiration.
For Doctrix Blackwell—that’s the way
To dub in rightful gender—
In her profession, ever may
Prosperity attend her! ‘Punch’ a gold-handled parasol
Suggests for presentation
To one so well deserving all
Esteem and admiration.
1849.
The design of this institution is to give to poor women an opportunity of consulting physicians of their own sex. The existing charities of our city regard the employment of women as physicians as an experiment, the success of which has not yet been sufficiently proved to admit of cordial co-operation. It was therefore necessary to form a separate institution which should furnish to poor women the medical aid which they could not obtain elsewhere.
The following gentlemen cordially consented to act astrustees of the proposed institution: Messrs. Butler, White, Haydock, Sedgwick, Collins, Field, Draper, Greeley, West, Harris, Foster, Raymond, Flanders, Dana, Manning, Spring, Bowne. Consulting physicians, Drs. Kissam, Parker, Cammann, Taylor. Attending physician, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.
Messrs. Sedgwick and Butler kindly procured an Act of Incorporation. A meeting for organisation was held on January 30, 1854. A constitution and bylaws were adopted, and the following members were appointed an Executive Committee to transact the business for the year: Stacy B. Collins, Richard H. Bowne, Charles A. Dana, Elizabeth Blackwell, Charles Foster.
The Eleventh Ward was chosen as the location for the dispensary, it being destitute of medical charity, while possessing a densely crowded poor population. The necessary rooms were found in Seventh Street, near Tompkins Square, and were ready for the reception of patients in the month of March. The dispensary has been regularly opened through the year, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons, at 3 o’clock. Over 200 poor women have received medical aid. All these women have gratefully acknowledged the help afforded them, and several of the most destitute have tendered their few pence as an offering to the institution.
With all these patients, the necessity of cleanliness, ventilation, and judicious diet has been strongly urged, and in many cases the advice has been followed, at any rate for a time. A word of counsel or information, too, has often been given to the destitute widow or friendless girl who was seeking work as well as health; the best methods of seeking employment have been pointed out, suitable charities occasionally recommended, and pecuniary aid sometimes rendered.
Since the double distress of commercial pressure andsevere weather have weighed so heavily on the poor, many cases of extreme destitution have come to the dispensary. These have been chiefly emigrants, mostly Germans, without friends or money, and ignorant of the language. Several families have been visited where some member was sick, and found utterly destitute, suffering from hunger, and though honest and industrious, disappointed in every effort to obtain work. To such families a little help with money, generally in the form of a loan till work could be procured, has proved invaluable, and a small poor fund placed by some friends in the hands of the attending physician, for this special object, has saved several worthy families from despair and impending starvation.
The dispensary has been removed since January 1, 1855, to No. 150 Third Street, between Avenues A and B, opposite the large Catholic church; all persons who are interested in its objects are cordially invited to call there. It will be open as heretofore from 3 to 5 o’clock on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. Poor women and children may be sent from any part of the city to receive the medical aid of the dispensary, it being free to all.
This institution was commenced by the subscriptions of a few friends; its expenses have been kept within its means, but the power of doing good has necessarily been limited by the smallness of its funds. It is found desirable to enlarge its operations, and place it on a permanent basis. For this purpose, the trustees wish to raise the sum of 5,000 dollars, and contributions are earnestly solicited. The following members are appointed to receive contributions:
The amount raised will be invested as a permanent fund for the institution. It is the hope of the founders of this charity to make it eventually a hospital for women and a school for the education of nurses.
The books of the dispensary are always open to the inspection of members, on application to the attending physician.
New York: February 8, 1855.