The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-06-07 00:00:00

CANCER HOSPITAL.

The ceremony of laying the foundation-atone of the
new Hospital for Cancer at Brompton, nearly opposite
the Consumption Hospital, was performed on the 30 ult..
by Miss Burdett Cootie, in the presence of • very
numerous company, including the Bishop of London.
the Yen. Archdeacon Sinclair, Dr.Condrige, St. Mark's ;
the Revs. J. B. Owen, ThOMMI Pearson+ N. Liberty.
H. Stephen*, the Rev. Father+ Ballard and Bagshawe,
Priests of the Oratory, Brompton ; Mr. John Able
Smith, Mr. 1). Mocatta, Mr. Hallowell, Dr. O'Connor,
Dr. Cotton, Dr. Marsden, Dr. Knox, Mr. A. Mars-
den, Mr. W. Cooke, Mr. Cottrell, Mr. Beale Brown, &c.
Before describing the ceremony we may state that the
charity was commenced in a small house in Cannon•row,
Westminster, in the year 18M, and very soon attracted
the attention of benevolent persons, who saw the
benefits which might accrue to all dames of society by
the eatablahment of • special institution for the recep-
tion and treatment of the poor suffering from so dire a
disease am cancer, and where this intractable scourge
of our race migl t be studied in all its phases, so that
our medical men should be afforded every opportunity
of battling with, and if possible, of overcoming this worst
of all bodily evils. In this twofold capacity, as an
asylum for the poor afflicted with cancer, and as a
school for (the study and improved treatment of the
disease, this institution has done much service to the
community. 2,250 out-patients have been under the
care of the surgeons, a large number of whom have been
benefited, wane cured, and all have had the advantage
of the experience which such opportunities must give to
the medical officers of such an institution. At Hemel,.
ton, where • house has during the last six years been
devoted to the reception of in-door patients, an
afflicted persons have been received, and treated with all
the advantages of • generous dietary, good nursing,
and medical skill can give. The house, however, could
not be made to afford that which is essential in all
disease, and most especially to one so obnoxious as this—
viz., pure air. A site for a new hospital, the foun-
dation-stone of which was laid on Monday, has therefore
I,een purchased by the trustees of the charity with
• view of ultimately accommodating 300 patients. The
building is to consist of a central compartment (capable
of holding GO iatients) with wings, but it is the central
portion only that will for the present be proceeded with.

The building, when complete, will present a frontage
of 130 feet to the Fulham-road, and a depth of lit) feet,
surrounded by an area of 10 feet, securing to the build-
ing the means of convenient external communication
and ventilation. The building will be constructed of
plain white Suffolk bricks, with a sparing use of stone
dressings. There will be also bands of red bricks with
keystone and cornices to give the hospital an &relate-
tend feature, and destroy the monotony of a flat sur-
face. The lower storey will be 10 feet high, and contain
the usual domestic offices, while the principal or ground
Boor will be 14 feet in height. This will be approached
by a lli/ht of steps, and contain the hall and staircase—
with the clerks' and secretary's offices, apartments for
the medical officers, and a ward for patients, 41 feet by
:10 feet. On the first storey there are to be three wards,
41 feet by 20 feet, with rooms for the matron, nurses,
Lc. These will communicate with staircases and corri-
dors, the whole of which, throughout the building, will
be of stone. An additional storey in the central por-
tion of the building will also afford further accommoda-
tion for patients. The building is to be erected from the
design of Mr. John Young, jun., by Messrs. Laurence,
at a cost of about £7,000. Miss Coutts, with the Bishop
of London, arrived on the ground shortly after four
o'clock on Monday, when the proceedinp were com-
menced with prayer by the Mee. Thomas Pearson,
MA.

The Bishop of London then addressed the company,
and said they were met to lay the foundatioastone of a
moat excellent institution, destined to bestow inestimable
blessings on a large portion of the community, and they
could not do so without invoking the blessing of the
Almighty on their proceedings. They were about to
erect a house for tie reception of persons afflicted with
a most painful disease, demanding the greatest sym-
pathy from all the friends of humanity. It lied been
truly said that hospitals were Christian institutions of
the greatest importance, and every addition made to
them institutions was a further step towards lessening
the afflictions of their fellow-creatures and advancing
the glory of their Creator. His Lordship then invoked
the blessing of God on the great work they were engaged
in, praying for its permanence and prosperity. Miss
Goutts having deposited the bottle in a caeity in the
lower stone and spread the mortar, the upper stones
duly lowered into its place, after which Rim Coutt
gave the customary knocks, and declared the stone
duly laid. The Rev. J. B. Owen next addressed the
assembly, after which Mr. J. Abel finilth proposed
thanloi to Mies Gantt' for having done thew the honour
of laying the foundation stone of the hospital. The

Bishop of London said that he had been requested by
Miss Cootie to acknowledge the compliment jug paid
her, and to more them that sbe should now con-
tinue to take the greatest interest in the prosperity of
the institution. The ble.ions of God was now saw
on the undertaking, and the company separated.