The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-15 00:00:00

ANNUAL REPORT.

The Committee of the Liverpool Infirmary for Chil 'mil, in
presenting their report for tivt year 1856, have much pleasure
in congratulating the subscribors upon the continued prortross
and advancement of this institution. During .the past twelve
months not only has it been the means of affording relief to a
larger number of sick children, but also, through an increased
income, its objects have been more fully developd, and its
original design more adequately realised.
Hitherto the want of sufficient funds hal corartThd the
committee to limit themselves to the simply providing medical
advice and medicines for the sick children of the poor, as out
patients ; but the more extended sympathy which they had
met with induced them, in their last report, to appeal to the
public for still further aid, to enable them to procure and main-
tain a suitable establishment for the reception of in as well as
out patients, where beds might be provided for those severe
cases which require the most constant care and attention. This
appeal has been answered by a considerable influx of subscrip-
tions and donations, and a house has been obtained, and
partially provided with beds, &c. ; so that the infirmary is at
present in a position to receive children wit'lin its walls as in
patients. The committee experienced no little difficulty in
finding a suitable house. They were anxious to obtain one in
a healthy situation, but yet not too far removed from the class
of patients for whose benefit it was intended. They are happy
to he able to state that the house now occupied, in Hope street,
is such as to satisfy their wishes ; it is commodious, well
arranged for their purposes, detached, and possessing a large
piece of open ground.

The number of patients treated since January, 1856, is
1035; giving an increase of 28 per cent. upon the preceding
year. From this statement some idea may he formed of the
good this institution has been privileged to effeet, not only to
the individual children treated, but also to society at large in
staying the progress of incipient disease, and arresting thou)
maladies which, if unchecked, w,.uld probably have proved
fatal in many instances, and in others would impair the
strength and usefulness of these children when arrived at
manhood.

Appended to this report are the opinions of eminent
medical men as to the general necessity, importance, and
advantages of hospitals for the special treatment of sick
children; and to these may be added the appalling statement
of the superintendent registrar with regard to infant mortality
in the parish of Liverpool, viz., that no less than 68 per cent. of
the total number of deaths are those of children of five years
old and under. Let it be further observed that the hospitals
of our town—the Royal Infirmary, the Northern and
Southern hospitals—do not admit children under seven years of
ago, and the urgent need in Liverpool of such an institution
exclusively devoted to the diseases of children will be suffi-
ciently manifest.

The committee, therefore, once more appeal for •extended
support in the great and momentous work they have under-
taken, feeling assured that when its importance becomes more
generally known-and appreciated, funds will not be -wanting
for ita further advancement. And although on the whole
the treasurer's account is most satisfactory, yet let it be
remembered that a very considerable sum is still required
to complete the entire furnishing the hon=e with beds and
other necessaries, and of course each patient received and
lodged within the infirmary will be an increased demand upon
its resources.

The usefulness of this institution, therefore, lies entirely in
the hands of the public ; and when it is known that children
die daily in this town from the want of timely medical
aid, and of tho various alleviations which this infirmary,
in proportion to the support it receives, is enabled to bestow,
the committee feel that they have strong grounds for an urgent.
appeal.

--In conclusion, there are two paints to which the committee
particularly invite attention, and the first of these they state
with great pleasure, as bearing the most valuable testimony
to the high estimation in which this infirmary is held by the
poor.

I. The principle which they have always been most anxious
to encourage, of co-operation on the part of the poor, has been
attended with most satisfactory results, doting the past year no
less than £27 Os 10d having been received iu the boxes, chiefly
in pence, as the voluntary contributions of the friends of the
patients.

2. A very important feature, contemplated in the original
formation of this infirmary, may now at length be carried out,
namely, the training of nurses. And it is hoped that in a few
months opportunities will be given to young won ea idle may
themselves be desirous of receiving instruction in nursing sick
children or who, as tho servants of subscribers, may be sent to
the institution for that purpose.
It is also very desirable that when the arrangements havo
been completed for the reception of a larger numbsr of in
patients, a committee of ladies should bo formed as visitors of
the institution.

With confidence it may be affirmed that, under the blessing
of God, this infirmary has been instrumental in confming
incalculable benefits on thousands of sick, deformed, and b‘llp-
less children. Is it, then, unreasonable to a'sk, notwithstand-
ing the multitude of claims every day made upon Chiistian
benevolence, that the sick children of our poor should not be•
forgotten and left uncared for ?

From the statement of the treasurer's account, for the
pest year, it appeared th the total expenditure had been
£482 123 s'l, and that there was a balance in hand of'
£l9l Os 7d, but that that amount would be considerably
diminished when some outstanding debts were discharged,
and some other necessaries procured for fitting up the
infirmary for the reception of patients. Besides the receipts
and donations, there was the large sum of £27 Os 10,1 given.
in penny pieces by the patients, as their voluntary assistance,
thus showing the deep interest the working classes took in
the institu
The report, with the list of officers for the ensuing year,
was then unanimously adopted.
The President then said he was sorry alit the institution
was about to lose the services of their hon. secretary, the
Rev. Mr. Brittain, who has so ably and efficiently supported
the institution. This arose from his being about to remove.
from Liverpool. lie (the chairman) hoped it would be to,
his own advantage ; but he had pleasure in statleg that the
Rev. Mr. B mister had kindly consented to fill the situation,
and no doubt but he would prove a good substitute.
A vote of thanks was then passed to the president, vice-
presidents, the committee, and the medical officers (Mr.
Stevens and Mr. Rey) for their past services, and a warns
eulogy was accorded to the latter two gentlemen for their,
invaluable services to the institution.
A vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr. Brittain, who returnee%
thanks, conclude] the business of the meeting. "