The Portland daily press., 1865-10-05

fourths of a mile in length, and is now being
carried over the building tovarious rooms, by
! Messfs: l. D. Merrill & Co., Of Portland. r..
tFrom the Concord I'M H. )Statesman)
TEE ATTRACTIONS oFs BOSTON FOR
SICK WOMEN. 0i'V
Mr.. Editor A lady's letter is often valued
by conductors of the press,-may hope not
from gallantry alone, but because it's apt to
touch many responsive chords ID the hearts Of
their readers. My own, that nowwrite you,
Isl qpona matter that has deeply interested
me. 1t is one of universal concern, about
Which we should alpof us, have heard long
ago, had it not been for the allsabsorbing 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, valu-
ing it only in proportion as it has been lost.-
Especially issuch the case with uswomen, who
in,this country are confessedly prone to inva-
| idis1n. In health, we are said to surpass all
other nations in beauty, intelligence, activity
and energy of character, but we early break
down, and in many instances early de- Eom
causes partly within and partly beyond our own
control Allthis being generally acknowledged,
it is the duty of each of us to do what we can
to cointeract the evil, and I 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 a very
/ few years, there have been established hospit-
ais for the special treatment of invalid women;
the one state institution, the other chiefly a
private charity, although within few months
it also has received agrant Of several thousand
dollars from the mmonwealth. It is of the
latter, that in Boston, that wish to speak
have recently had an opportunity of visit
ing the New England Hospital for Women, as
it is called-forit aims to extend its benefits not
to Massachusetts alone--and have been sur
prised to find how much efficient work was
there being done in quiet and unassuming
way, The hospital is situated upon Warren
and Pleasant streets, not far from the centre
of the city, and comprises four buildings, for
| merly dwelling houses, that have been altered
and arranged with entire reference to their
present use, so that the medical patient may
be separated from the surgical, and these again
from, those lying-in. The charity has been in
operation some two years, but has only lately
removed to the premises it now occupies, which
are much more convenient and suitable than
I its former single building. During the year
ending November last, / find from the report
then published, there were entered as resident
patients 1877 women, of whom ,66 were upon
free beds, andsthe remaining 81 paid for their
board, either in full or in part; and that 1877
others were treated in the dispensary, coming
regularly to the hospital for advice and medi-
cines, though not seyerelyill enough to neces-
isitate admission to the wards. There were also
80 children born within the institution during
the year. Since that time, IN proportion as
the hospital has become wider known, the de-
mahds made upon it have very, largely in
creased, and ! am told that not only is it al
ways full, but that applications are frequently
made several weeks before admission can be
granted. Ofcourse this success may be at
I tifbuted in part to the reputation ofthe ply
sicians who have it in charge, bnt it is also
partly owing to the immense need that every
where exists for such charity; a need that,
has been well described and explained by the
attending surgeon, Dr. Storer, in a letter that
was printed last year by the Trustees, and
sparingly circulated, and of which I was so
fortunate as to obtain a copy Were it not
trespassing to much upon your limits, I should
beg you would publish it entire, it possesses
such interest for the public at large, BY the
letter it is shown that ovses as.basvF
a /. "In Especial hospital women naturally
have more privacy; Almost essential point to
many. S. bGe .5aiI q &. .i ia nj s.. :.
q. They find more sympathy, and expert
ence much less offensive and impertinent curl
osity from their fellow patients; and. iosrl1
70. They are more likely to be under the
charge of persons constantly familiar with
certain forms and types Of disease, than can
wen be the case with most general practitioners.
The argument being the same as when applied
to the treatment ofother affections, Of the eye
for instance" To this letter is appended al,
| endorsement Of its arguments by Drs. Chan
ming, Bowditch, Cabot and Putnam, who are
among the oldest and most respectable ply
sicians of Boston, and the first three Of whom
are connected with the hospital as its Consult
/ ing Staf. .....z.. ~ =
81 noticed that the hospital was partially I'M
der the charge Of skilled ladies, who nave been
educated for this very work. & THE resident.
physicion, DR.. Sewaf, who lives within the
Buildings, and who has charge more parrtieu-
larly ofthe maternity department, pursusd her
studies in Europe under, the most favorable
auspices, while the attending physician, Dr.:
zakyzewska, also lady, is German by birth,
and was formerly connected with the great
charity hospital of Berlin The surgical cases
are under the care ofDr. Fl. r. Storef, who is
EsSaid to have an extended reputation among
medical men.
l,siI was struck by, the cleanliness and general
orderly appearance Of the Hospital, And by lbs
scheerfulness; elements of thegery first impor-
lance fof Sanitary reasons.
As already stated the house has very many
! more applicants for beds than can be accommo.,
dated, and it IS intended for patients of little
or no pecuniary means. There has always
been need, also, for weather class of female
| invaiids, Of better accommodations than are
.affarded. l. at hotels and ordinary boarding
houses, attended, as these must necessarily be,
by noise, confusion, and other discomforts.
. Wealthy patients, or even those of more
moderate means, would not Of courseibe like
ly to be as contented at public hospital as at
private house, even could they there receive
all the attentions and all the comforts to
! which they have been accustomed at home
To meet the-necessities OF this class, the sur
geon of the hospital, DR.. Storer, has opened a
| private infrmary Of his own, in gBOylston,
Place, near the Common, to which was alse
permitted access. This is solely for ladies of
means, who may require special treatment.
| The matron In charge seems very pleasant
and agreeable person--eue who is competent