Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-20

THE Cry H0sPITAL-At the request
Of Alderman Smith few days since Drs.
Creighton, Pittman and other gentlemen
visited the City Hospital and made the
following report, which fully corroborates
our statement in regard to the bad food,
ETC., supplied. 1t was presented to the
City Council last evening; 1--WE have
visited the City Hospital, and in behalf
Of the unfortunate persons therein con-
fined by disease, would respectfully ask
that your honorable body cause change
to be made in the mode and manner in
which that institution is conducted. We
found said hospital in better condition,
as regards cleanliness, than we expected.
This is owing 10 the kind attentions of
the Christian ladies who have charge of
the same. The patients unanimously
accord to these Sisters the highest need
of praise for their kind, cheerful and
generous treatment, some of whom are
strangers in strange land, far from
kindred, friends, and who, but for the
watchful care of such gentle spirits, in
view of the disease which has racked
their bodies, would have lain down to die
upon the streets or in the commons, with
no soft hand near to soothe their aching
brow, or ministering angel to whisper
words of consolation in the hour of dis
solution. The food was represented to us
as being good as general thing. On the
occasion of our visit, the bread was infe-
rior, being sour, and consequently un-
wholesome. The sugar and coffee
was good. The rice we pronounced bad.
We cannot recon- mend bulk pork pick
led for the use of sick persons. The
beef we could not recommend, we were
told il consisted, as general thing, Of
soup bones, and inferior at that. There
being no vegetables furnished by the
Hospital Trustees, as a consequence a
great many Of the sick inmates have the
scurvy. We recommend that vegetables
be furnished regularly. Some of the
sick haven't single change of clothing
clothing should be furnished them by all
means, or at least a change. The medi-
cines used were pronounced good, ex.
cept the quinine, which was of an in
ferior quality and not sufficient for a
hospital containing some one hundred
and eighty patients. The physician in
charge, DR.. J. f. Lynch, we can recon-
mend, as we found him ready to receive
us, although our visit was unexpected.
We would state that a case of surgical
instruments is necessary for the use OF
the hospital. We therefore, in view of the
present fear of our community OF
coming epidemic, and in justice to the
unfortunate persons who are frem time
to time compelled to seek a temporary
asylum in our City Hospital, pray your
honorable body to so modify the regula-
tons of said hospital, so as to give to
the poor and afflicted such relief as the
necessities of their condition may re-
quire" .r
Aldermen Smith, Boiling and Cochran
were appointed a committee TO investi-
gate the fitness of the Hospital Trustees
for their position. A communication
was read from the Sisters of the Holy |
Cross, in which they stated that they had |
taken charge of the hospital some time
since; that they had discharged all their |
duties conscientiOuslY. Nov a matron
had been appointed to take charge Of the
hospital This they regarded as an init
nation 10 them TO resign their places.
They, therefore, asked positive answer
upon that point from the Mayor and
Board Of Aldermen. The communica'
ton concluded by making pointed and
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