The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-04-09
PHYSICIANS REpoRT-1867.

hEfOhT-loOl.
Since the establishment of this institution
thirteen years ago, it has been quietly and
steadily pursuing its work of relieving the des-
tltute sick. During this time, some $3.50 pa
TENTS have received medical and surgical at
tendance and medicines. 4-
As no formal report has been presented to
the public, since the year ending April 1st
1868, perhaps it wiu be more satisfactory to
embrace IN the present report the statistics If
the last three years, ending April LIST, 1867
The whole number of patients who have re-
ceived medical and surgical attendance during
this time, is 1922. OF this number LOCO were
children under fifteen years of age. OF the
remainder, SAG were males and 826 females
Sixty-four patients were sixty years old and
Iaupwards. Sixty-one patients were visited by
the physicians at their residences. The re-
mainder Were treated at the Dispensary Rooms
About two thousand have been vaccinated in
all, and $40 during the past three years.
Not quite as many have been treated at the
Dlspensary the past year as in the two or three
years Immediately preceding, for two reasons
list The Dispensary Rooms were damaged by
the late fire, and several weeks were occupied
in making repairs and getting them in readi-
ness to receive patients: During this time no
chaics were held. End The contributions have
not been SO hbe. Al as in some previous years
and for want Of funds to purchase Medicines
the physicians have been Obliged to request
very many patents to purchase their own
medicines, and not be-: +, able to do this even.
nave Deen ueterreu L. ON applying for treat
ment. The institution is conducted in the
most economical manner. The services of
the officers and physicans are entirely gratui-
tous. In presenting this report, appealing to
the public for aid, we do so fully satisfied of
the necessity of the institution and the efficen-
cy tits operation. The character and de-
sign OF Dispensary cannot be better present
ed than in the language of the Preamble to,
the Constitution. ~
There is perhaps no method by which
the poor can be SO essentially benefited at
SO small an expense on the part of their bene.
factors, as by atfording them seasonable medi-
cal aid. If health is justly deemed an invalu-
able possession to those surrounded by all the
comforts Which wealth can procure, of how
much more consequence must it be to the poor,
whose very means Of living depends upon its
possession. To furnish the appropriate means
ofpresei wing this blessing, and OF restoring II
when losG is the office of Dspensary. MANY
of the poor are enabled to support themselves
by their own exertiOns while in health who
are quite unable to bear the expense of medi-
cine and of medical attendance when sickness
oyertakes them. 1t is a wise charity which in
this emergency extends medical relief" B..
during tho war, and since its close we have
mad q class OF patients which have claimed orr
particular attention 1t comprises the sick
ana destitute soldiers and soldiers fami-
hes. We have many of them in our midst
and they still look to us for assistance when
sickness overtakes them ,.i,.. 1900 J.
1t is hoped that the liberal contributions of
or citizens will enable the institution not on
iy to maintain its present usefulness, but to
extend its charities %