The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-09
P OR THE PILOT AND TRANSCRIPT.
Rcaoln to the Reg. d.. Breckenridge.


Reolu to the Rec. Dr.. Breckenridge.
MR. EpIToR,-The double number of Bal
timore Literary and Religious Magazine, which
has recently appeared, in giving an account OF
the trial of the Rev. DIR. Breckenridge, for
libel. contains two notes, one in relation to the
medical department Of the alms-house, and the
other to myself, which l am imperatively called
upon to answer, by respect for my own character
And, first, as regards the alms-house am
pleased to see that DIR. B. is more moderate on
the present occasion. He Is satisfied with ask
ing few questions, and only insinuates that
there is something unsatisfactory in the condi-
ton of this part of the institution. One OF the
students stated on the trial. that elf it is neces-
sarv. when a person is brought into the aims
house, the physicians are sent for immediately;
not it is left until the regularsvisit when they
go round and the persons are examined" DIR.
B. asks ",cho judges Of this necessity" Is 1T
Hooper, or any other person happening to be IN
the Office? Or isthere any medical examination
whatever, before men allowed to be thrust
INTO cells, with vagabonds and criminals,
roadmen And is Hooper fit jrdge Of their
medical necessities I"
When the bylaws for the government OF the
Baltimore City and County Alms-house were
drawn I'M. DIR. Thomas T. Bond, sen., have
been informed, was member of the board OF
trustees, and had a chief hand IN their foT-
nation. 1t was thought better by the Board to
omploy physician of some experience, who
should visit the house daily, and with the assist
nce ofresident students, attend 10 the sick, than
to have young man without experience, as
resident physician. It was plain that any one
having practice in the city,would not resign it to
90 and live in the alms-house. The trustees
would therefore have been obliged to appoint
one who had not yet got into practice ply
sieian of considerable practice might spare three
or four hours every day; and with diligence
discharge his duty to those who employed him IN
sOwn. But it was necessary that some person
should be constantly present to admit applicants
THE was made the duty OF the overseer, by by
law q and either he, or his clerk, have attend
ed TO this, ever since the present institution was
orrsnised The law provides that the overseer
shau get information as to the name, age, occu-
nation. disease, and place of nativity, OF all who
auplv for admission This information is OBJ
sained from the individuals themselves, and those
who accompany them. After this examination
th are sent to the apartments best suited TO their
respective cases, and are seen by the physician
at his daily visit II any one appears to be very
sick, and the physician is not in the house, the
senior resident student is called, who prescribes,
until the physician arrives In extraordinary
cases, the physician is sent for. But,says DR. B.
,olso judges Of this necessity" Who judges
that physician is requisite for an inmate oil his
own house ? If his child says " / am sick"
he sends for his doctor. So at the alms-house,
ifa person says he is sick, the nurse Immediately,
be it either night day, goes for one OF the re-
sident students, and he, If he thinks proper, can
send for the physician. The nurses are always
ready and willing to go when requested. If DIR.
BPS views are carried out, every family should
have resident physician, who should morning
and evening feel the pulse and examine the
tongue of every individual, for fear they should
be sick and not be aware of it. ] can aver that,
the nurses, and alla others in the alms-house,
are quicker in calling for medical advice than
they are in many private families and for a
very obvious reason, viz, both attendance and
medicine are furnished for nothing. was am
assistant of one of the physicians in the Edin-
burgh hospital, with 400 patients, and an assist
ant OF one Of the surgeons of Guys and St Tho
mas hospital, London, with 300 patients and
am not ignorant of the management of such in
stitutions in this country and have no hesita-
don in saying, that as a whole, the medical de-
,partment Of the Baltimore City and County
Aims house, is as well regulated as that of any
similar public charity. 80
~ With respect to the lpnatics who are brought
there by their friends, DR. B. cannot teach the
russees and physicians any thing as TO the defects
! Of the establishment. When the trustees exam
lined me on this point, previous to drawing up
s theirlast report to the Mayor and City Council,
{ Tgase them my views in full, and they recon-
enended to the authorities that measures should
be adopted fer getting up pauper lanatic asy-.
lam. But deny that the defect exists where DIR.
B. says Il DOES. Ike overseer, or his clerk, en-