Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-07-07
For the Wig.
TIE ALMSHOESE,

MEssRs. EDiroRs: In the column headed State and
City News, in your issue Of July It'll is paragraph pur-
porting give information with regard the City Hos
pta 1t is stated that this institution is under the man
agenent of two students appointed by the faculty OF the
Medical College, by an agreement with the City Coun
c IL further says that during the half year ending Feb
ruary last sixteen gallons of French Brandy sixteen gal
Ions OF Whisky, and thrtywo dozen best Porter sup
posed to have been consumed by parties laborng under
yellow lever small pox cholera, and other contagious dis
eases.
As the Medical College has no control or authority
whatevef in the City Huspits-sad institution being at
tended by physician receiving his appointment from
the COunc-t is presumed that your informant referred
to the Almshouso which, however is not under the
agement of two students.
The truth is, that the Oveseers Of the Poor select
physician TO the Amshouse from the faculty OF the Medi.
cal College who has permission recommend yearly .wo
students who hare attended full OF medical lee
lures during the previous winter session. who also
ceive their appointment directlyfro the OUerers Of The
Poor. These students act apoiecares administer
medicines, dress surgical Affections attend obsteCa
under tn s"perUi.foa OF the attending physician. The
gentlemen selected from the winter class for the post IN
question, such have given evidence of studous
habits superior ability and gentemanlke department
This privilege of recommendation, together with the
further right TO extend the clinical advantages OF the
Medical College, by exhibiting and remarking OF the diff.
crent to the medical clts il the sole reward which
the attending physician gets for his services in performing
operations and giving personal attention all patients wo
require it. The students for the perormanc. Of ser
viceboth responsible and laboousare paid 500 each
per so that the whole expenditure Of the city for
|
sixty pauper patients daily for the last twelve
| years, has been 5000 per annum, while the immuute-
heretofore extended medical students Of witnessing
operations aud studying the Of disease found
the Amshouse have assisted IL inducing from seventy
ninety gentlemen remain in Richmond for SIX month.
OF each years thus disbursing several thousand dollars
with it, inhabitants which would otherwise be expended
| In other cities.
As regards the items Of brandy, whisky porter &C. snip
posed have been used IN the Of disease II
may be well remark that this sUpposion be cor
rect, years could scarcely have elapsed without
plant having been issusd 70 the physician the
oyeseers Of the poor, bye superintendent of the Aims
house, OF unwaranted etyagance, since all orders To
medicine aterai Of any sort required 10y the mcdica
department. must pass Hrosgh tie ha,s oE aid Be conn
f,rsgaed by the superintendent, Jfore Hey be fei
During my ol service, two years. have heard
complaint concerning any Of the students nor grann;
them destitute Of the qualities they supposed pos
sess do think they would recklessy risk the enforcement
Negotiations which authorize their instant dismissal with
out Of any Of disapproyal Besides the number
character Of the requiring, IN many Instances hou
stimulation precudcs the necessity for seeking any but
legitimate explanation u the expenditure alluded
Such being the real condition OF things il il unfai
70 sBgDoss that your informant l. not In the least qnae
make suppO-ons with reference the expenses OF th
AlmshOusc aud il u certain that he has manifested
disregard Of that veil recognized law Of courtesy who
ufds the utefance Oi -urmses rejecting the cOnduc
Of Strangers unless they be supported By most
doubted evidence. A. T. PETiCOLAS, ". D.,
Physician - Ain shouge