Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-10-06
From the Concord, tN. H. Statesman

From the Concord, tN. H. Statesman
The Attractions of Boston for Sick Women.
Mr.. Editor A ady's letter is often valued
BY conductors of the press,-may hope not
from gallantry alone, but because it is apt TO
touch many responsive chords in the hearts Of
their readers. My own, that now write you,
is upon matter that has deeply interested me.
1t is one of universal concern, about which we
should all Of us have heard long ago, had it
not been for the all-absorbing claims OF the war,
and am sure you will thank me for bringing
the subject to your attention.
First and foremost among earthly blessings
we place our health too often, however, yalu-
ing it only in proportion as it has been lost.
Especially is such the case with US women, who
in this country are cOniesSedly prone TO invalid
ism. In health, we are said TO surpass all utH.
er nations 10 beauty, intelligence, activity and
energy of Ghal acter, but we early break down,
and in many instances early die, from causes
partly within and partly beyond our own con
troll. All this being generally acknowledged,
il is the duty OF each of us to do what she can
to Couuteract the evil, and know that what
am about to describe may be very new and very
welcome to many of my sex.
In New York and in Boston within very
few years, there have been established hospi-
tails Tor the special treatment OF invalid women;
the one slate institution, the other chiefly a
private charity, although within few months
it also has received grant OF several thousand
dollars from the commonwealth. 1t is of the
latter, that in Boston, that | wish to sneak.
have recently had an opportunity of visit.
ing the New England Hospital for Women, as
it is called-for II aims to extend its benefits
not TO Massachusetts alone-and have beer
surprised TO hnd how much efficient work was
there being done III quiet and unassuminp
way The hospital is situated upon Wnrrer
and Pleasant streets, not far from the centre o.
the city. and comprises four buildings, former
ly dwelling houses, that have been altered anC
arranged with entire reference to their presen
use; so that the medical patien may be separ-
ated from the surgical, and these again from
shose yng-in. The charity has been in oper
alton some two years, but has only lately re-
moved to the premises it now occupies, which
! are much more convenient and suitable thar
its former single building. During the yea
ending in November last | find from the repor
| then published, there were entered as residen
patients l27 women, of whom 66 were upoI
free beds, and the remaining 81 paid for thei
board, either in full or in part and that 1877
others were treated in the dispensary cominl
regularly TO the hospital for advice and medi
cines, though not severely i'll enough to neces
state admission to the wards. There we're al
so go children born within the institution du
ring the year.. Since that time, in proportion
as the hospital has become wider known, tn
demands made upon il have very largely in
creased, and am told that not only is it al
ways full, but that applications are frequentl
made several weeks before admission can b.
granted. Of course this success may in part b
attributed TO the reputation of the physician
who have il in charge, but it is also partly ow
ing TO the immense need that every where exist
for such a charity; a need that has been we
described and explained by the attending sur
geon, DR.. Storer, in letter that was printe
last year by the Trustees, and sparingy circu