New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-18
The New-YOrk Dispensary-Its Origin mt

Objects. For The Tribune
It is believed that large number OF the inhab
itants of this City, although aware Of the exist
ence of this and similar charities, are very i'm
perfectly acquainted with the nature and extent
Of their operations and the manner in which they
are sustained The following brief sketch of the
origin and growth OF the New.York Dspensary is
subjoined with the hope that it may arrest the at
tention Of the benevolent and charitable, and in.
duce them to regard favorably its claims to in
creased support.
The New-York DiSpensary was established in
$780, for the purpose Of relieving such sick, poor
and INDECENT persons as were unable to procure
medical aid. In 1895, ar act comforting the usual
corporate privileges was passed by the Legisla
ture. For many years a small building, upon
Tryon Row, near the present Rotunda, was occu
pied for Dispensary purposes, with only single
small room to accommodate patients Of both sex
es, and of all ages and colors. The necessity for
increased accommodation very soon became ap
parent and after great exertions and repeated
disappontments the efforts Of the Board Of Trus
| tees were finally crowned with success. Through
theliberaityo of the State legislature and the Com
mon Council Of this City, lot was obtained Of
| the corner Of Center and White sts., upon which
| a large three story brick edifce was erected. In
this building the operations Of the Dspensary
| have been conducted since 1929. The funds for
its erection and for defraying the heavy expenses
which were subsequently incurred for the widen
| ing and regulating OF Center.st., were obtained
by liberal donation from the City Corporation,
| aided by the generous subscriptions Of various
| private citizens. The great increase of business
since 1916 rendered still further accommodation
indispensable, which was effected last year by re-.
modelling and improving the entire lower floor Of
| the building. W e now have two large reception
| rooms for male and female patients, having sepa-
| rate entrances from enter-st.-severA smaller
rooms for the attending Physicians, minor surgl.
VpoI sLlUns and vaccination, also room for the
use of the Trustees of the Institution and one for
the ApOthecsry's department. which is accessible
| from both reception rooms.
The organization Of the Medical staff is as fol-
rom A. % H - nlfaadlRMntth She assssnee 81
the Attending Physicians, prescribe for all those
who personally apply at the building, besides per-
| forming the minor surgical operations vacclnatlng
and registering the names of the District patients
| Ten Attending Physicians, two vacancies now ex
| istng, who prescribe one hour each every day, in
| the respective rooms set apart for the male and
| female patients That portion OF the City below
| q line running from the Hudson River through
| Spring.st. to Broadway, up Broadway to Four
! teenthst, through Fourteenth st. to tirs av,
| down First-ey and Allen-Ht. TO Division, thence
through Pike st. TO the East River is divided into
six districts each Of which is under the charge Of
a District Physician. The Apothecary is IN at
tendance to dispense medicines from A. II. until
shutdown daily, except Sundays, when the Dis
pensary is open, for this purpose only, one hour in
the forenoon and one hour in the afternoon. Sep
hrate Registers are kept in the different depart
ments, upon which the names, residences dis
eases, etc, of all applicants are recorded.
The following table exhibits, in a condensed
form, the number of patients which have been
relieved by this Institution during the past ten