The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-25
N II wv OR Kxs M 9.
Frem Our 0lOn Correspondent

The Home for IncurabIes.
inc other day, not having any business OF very
pressing nature to attend to, carried out long
cherished idea OF visiting the Home for Incurables,
which Is located at West Farms Westchester county
1t is reached from New York by either the cars OF
the Harlem Road, Fourth avenue, corner Of Twenty
sixth street, or those OF the Third Avenue Railroad,
to fremont, one mile from West Farms. Its Presi-
dent is Mr.. Benjamin H. Field, and its Pastor and
Superintendent the Rev. Washington Rodman,
and 1t has lately completed the third year OF its
existence
The Home is not an imposing building and
although the best possible use is made of the con-
trbutons by which 1t is supported still the meagre-
ness OF the charity that has been bestowed upon IL
has been the great bar to its success. II ever a
reason existed for unlimited berality in the exer-
else OF charity 1t is found in the existence of this
Home, which is intended literally for those who are
Sncrdbh
At present the number of patients is necessarily
limited to thirty, but what is now done imperfectly
for that small number might be thoroughly done at
small increase of cost for twice many. IL is the
hope OF the managers and contributors soon to
extend the Home so that it may accommodate at
least one hundred patients.
During the year which has Just elapsed forty-two
inmates have been under the physicians charge. or
these eight have died. i've have been relieved or dis
charged. and twenty-nne remain. There has been
very little acute disease The affections of good many
of the inmates have been amcnable TO treatment and
classed consumptives OF the patients received thus
far, all with very few exceptions belong to one OF
three casses-paralytics, subjects Of malignant dis
ease. and consumptives There are besides few
rheumatic patients For the first two classes little
be done except in individual cases. They go there
to be made comfortable rather than to be subjected
to medical treatment, and they find the Home per-
fectly well adapted to their wants. For the ameo-
ration OF cOnsumptves 1t is recommended to open
branch of the Home on the upper Highlands, just
below Newburg, where the climate is elevated and
comparatively dry.
The diseases which have been treated during the
past year are twenty-five in number viz. :-Abdom-
inal hernia; abdominal tumor Brights disease OF
the kidneys and chronic diarrhna; chronic rheu-
matism; cancer OF the breast; cancer Of the mamma
cancer OF the uterus; chronic darrhGa chronic dis
OF the hip-iont; chronic synOvitis; debility :;
obscure disease Of the brain; club-foot; epilepsy
elephantiasis; hysterla; hemplega paraplegia
general paralysis; paralysis agtans; Potts disease
OF spine and phthisis pulmOnalis: old age; sofening
OF the brain; and rheumatic gout
The Home for Incurables is not a happy place to
visit. You cannot help1eeling that he who enters
there leaves hope behindthe hope OF all that health
can besow in this life. The inmates are treated
with the tenderest care. SO far as the means con
tributed will permit, they are provided with the
iuxures OF every season. They are allowed visits
from their friends AMI relatives, and supplied with
books and music and the means Of communicating
with the outside world. But are they happy? Is
not life to them at best one long penancea penanrc
for sins OF which they are innocent suffering of the
innocent for the ndiscretions of their progenors
In his novel of "Con Cregan," Charles Lever gives
description OF lepers' settlement, where half the
individuals had their noses eaten OIL with the dis
ease, and where the other half in anticipation
OF gradually approaching that enyiable condition.
Yet, Notwithstanding, the wretched Outcasts from
this worlds pleasures and sympathcs had enjoy
mens peculiar to themselves, and in the Excitement
r,1a md phnpu fpro
while their grievances 1t may be so with the in
habitants OF the Home for tile Incurables. They
may have snatches OF happiness unknown to and
unattainable by less afflicted mortals. At any rate,
the Home Is an excellent place for the nculcation
some OF the virtues-patience resignation, and gra-
ttude, for instance. And some of the worst suf-
Ierers are some of the best pupils in that respect
one instance of the peculiar Kind of suffer-
ngs endured at this institution will he felt by the
sensitive and sympathetic reader to be sufficient.
About year ago. the pastor OF the Home the Rev.
Washington Rodman, was requested TO visit, at
Bellevue Hospital, young man who was desirous Of
eing admitted to the Home. on entering one OF
he wards there, his attention was directed to a
<Outh whose experience had been more peculiarly
litter than is the lot of one OF Gods creatures in
ase out of million. The youth referred to had,
early childhood, been the victim OF
atal error on the part Of physician
who had been attending him for the purpose OF vac
enatiOn. by some mistake he had, during the pro-
cess of vaccination received the rrrs of that dread
ful disease elephantiasis, in its most aggravated
form Such had been its ravagcs with him, that he
has already lost both hands, foot and the greater
portion of the other His malady is still advauc-
ing slowly bat surely to the vital organs, and the
unhappy youth will be eaten away before he s in the
grave. lie has been provided with separate cot
tage In the immediate vicinity OF the Home and is
surrounded with everything that can tend to assuGge
the shadows that have thickened upon his pathway
TO the tomb
or other diseases cancer and chronic rheumatism
provoke the greatest sunerngs and promise the
least amelioration More than one patient Is unable
to move in bed without assistance, and has not
known what it is to touch the floor with the foot for
many long year.
In concluding might make the statement that
donations of money may be sent to the treasurer,
j. ID. Vermilye Merchants National Bank, No ~
Wall street. New York, and any one having articles
suitable for hospital USE and wishing to give them to
the Home may notify the Rev. Washington Rod
man. West Farms, New York, who will gladly send
for them The inmates OF the Home are inmates for
life and consequently need continuous supply OF
home comforts, such as books, engraYings, games
nowers, fruits vegetables, sewing materials yarn
ETC. A person becomes patron by paying 5000
and life member on payment of 500. The annual
subscription is twenty-five dollars, although OF
course all sums are thankfully received.
ALI BARA.