The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-03-10

NV YoaK, Feb. 10th, 1867.

NEw YoRK, Feb. 10th, 1867.
EDITOR GATE Crr4-Dear Sir: We ar
rived in the metropolis safely on Friday, the
eSli inst. Our only delay was u clevslaad.
where, owing to the irresulsrity Of trains,
caused by the recent heavy snow storms, We
missed the Eastern train of the A d G. W.
and were obliged to lay over for nine hours
The weather, during our entire trip was de-
lishtful, the susw In Indians, Ohio And Penn
sylvania still maintaining itself and presenting
quite contrast to its sudden transformation
into muddy streamlets at Keokuk but q few
days before my departure. During my brief
stay 90 far in the city, have visited thecolegss,
hospitals, anddispensaries, where By means
Of your letters Of introduction found acos-
dial and friendly reception, and every facil-
ity offered me to make my visit agreeable, ~
we'll rs instructive.
As improvements in these institutions have
progressed very rapidly Of late, II may not be
undressing to you to have as briefa de-
scription as the subject will permit
Bellevue Hospital Medical College Is per-
hars the most prominent one Of the numer-
Gus colleges, and deserves my first notice
The faculty consists of some of the greatest
men ofthe medical and surgical professions
in this country las Ivan Buren,, Hamilton,
Wood, Flint, &c.
The building is situated on East 26th street,
near East river, the hospital and college
building in one enclosure. The aocomods'
tons are requisite for one thousand patients
and the wards are generally full; thence the
immense clinical advantages Of the students
Of this college. In addition to the main ed
i6ce, two large spacious pavilion hospitals
have lately been erected to increase the ca
pacity of the whole. On entering Bellevue
the first thing that attracts the atten-
ton of the visitor is the beautiful marble
tablet erected To the memory Of the late Prof.
Valentine Mott, By the Commissioners of
Public Charities. 1t is to the left Of tho
main hall, and surrounded by tasteful vrestEs
of evergreen. just opposite is the large slab
on which Washington stood when innsugura-
ted first President of the United States, and
which was removed from Federal Hall 10 its
hospital. Turning to the right you pass into
the surgical wards of the first floor which, with
the others of the upper floors, are attended By
Profs. Hamilton, Wood, and A. B. Mott.
Every class of surgical mslsdy has its repre-
sentative here-from the simple sprain to the
agonizing victim Of railway accident is but
few steps Each ward has its washroom,
bathroom, &c, near it, and every means is
taken TO secure the thorough cleanliness and
comfort OF its inmates
The attending surgeons visit their respsc-
tive wards each day-generally with their
classes, as the plan Of instruction Of this COL
lege is, TO give the student an equal number
of clinical and didactic lectures per day
The medical wards are under the care of
Profs. Austin Flint. Sr., and MoCresdy. The
same variety of cases, and excellent manage
ment characterize them, as of the surgical
| wards. On the third floor is Prof. Hamil-
tons amphitheatre for the special sccomoda.
ION of his class, and where q great number
Of bis patients are brought to the notice of the
| students.
The western wing of the hospital is almos
| entirely devoted TO the reception of female
patients. Surgical cases are under the care
of Prof Isaac E. Taylor, while the medical
| department is under the supervision of
Profs. Austin Flint and J. Fordyce Barker.
Another noticeable public feature of the
Bellevue is the morgue, or place of recep-
ton for the bodies of ali unknown persons
found in and about the city. This has only
been established of late. and is said to be the
counterpart of similar institution in Paris.
1t is open for public inspection at all hours of
| the dsy-the bodies being kept as long as
circumstances will permit, and then,
| if still unclaimed by the relatives or friends,
inferred at the expense of the city. The
| clothes found on bodies are preserved for a
period of six months after interment, so that
identification is still possible, should inquiries
| be made. If q body is recognized and
claimed by the relatives, it is Immediately
taken to . separate apartment and placed at
their disposal.
The wards ofthe hospital are supplied with
water for washing and drinking purposes, by
means Of steam engines. To give you an
idea of the magnitude of this important pre-
vision, viii say that upwards OF seventy
miles of piping are employed to furnish every
floor with water, and also to heat the whole
building.
Besides, they have q fre>extinguishins
apparatus, and the contrirance Of this is so
perfect, that it is almost an impossibilty for
ere to destroy, or damage any material part
of the hospital.
Charity Hospital, situated on Blackwell
Island, is also in connection with Bellevue
College, for clinical purposes. 1t is large
building. with about twelve hundred beds,
and its interior arrangement is fully equal, if
not superior, to its sister institution, and has
the same corps of visiting and consulting sur
seons. By invitation of Prof. Isaac E. Tay-l
lor, was enabled to see its admirable organs
ration from cellar to garrett, and it certainly
il credit to the gentlemen that discharge its
administrative duties.
This, and the Small Pox Hospital, situated
but short distance from the "Charity," are
supplied with water from engines in the base
ment ofthe latter-the amount Of piping en-
ployed is about sixty-6ve miles. The Small.
Pox Hospital, however, is now almost desert
ed, there being only six cases in the wards.
Clinical lectures are given hsre twice every
week, the class being conveyed across East
River by the little steamer bellevue Prof
Sayre, owing to professional visit TO Cali
fornia, has been absent nearly the entire
winter, and his clinics at this hospital have
been conducted by the other surgeons, a. far
- practicable.
Before quitting the above subject, feel il
due to give my testimony in regard to the
courteous reception / hare received ct the
hands of the surgeons of the college and hos.
pitfalls, and especially are my thanks due to
Prof Frank II. Hamilton for his very
marked kindness and courtesy.
The Medical Department of the State Uni
versity, and the College of Physicians and
Surgeons, are both in . very prosperous con-
i