The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-18
location OF the SMALLPOX BI0si,ita
near Hollywood and ti.e Reservoir.

location OF tic sssslaAl-s9H paSSiss1al
near Hollywood and tEe Reservoir.
To the Editors Of the Dispatch:
Permit me to call the attention of your
readers to rlrmor, heard only within the
last few days, which, if true, will, l think, be
the lust occasion Of much feeling, and which
I vet trust may he without foundation. 1t IS
reported that our City Council and Board OF
Health have selected the old mansion ut
Clark's Spring as the site of a smallpox hos
pital. The prevalence of this dreadful dis
ease in Philadelphia and other cities; the
probability that we shall, sooner or later, he
visited by il, and the necessity fora wise and
timely preparation, have determined our city
guardians to prepare slitable place ants
buildings where the sick may he isolated and
Droperly cured for. This is rs it should be,
and commend their wise providence. Yet
respectfully submit that there are reasons
| why this particular locality should not be Sc
| lected for such q purpose. Some OF these
reasons may lie based upon morbid senSl-
biity and lnduly-cXcited feelings; yet they
are unavoidable, and none the less operative.
This old building at Clark's Spring, which
renort has fixed upon as the site of tue small
Doy hospital is situated near the terminus OF
our city railroad, and between hollywood
Cemetery and our city rcservoir--at no great
| distance from the reservoir, and about the
same distance from some sections OF HOLY.
wood. Now, if our city should be visited
by this disease (Which may a kind Providence
| avert) and a large number Of patients nc col
lectcd in the hospital, it must become strong
focus Of infection. And though 1t IS undcnl-
bly, true that infectious matter mixed with the
oren mir is potent for mischief only within very
|
of disnfectantS may be deprived in a great
measure Of it, virueuce, and there he no just
cause of apprehension, yet the pa!pab!c con.
timltv of smallpox hospital will operate
upon tho te:rs Of many a wife, mother, sis
ten. and daughter, and interfere with their
visits toald cre for the graves of their dead
Arlin. it will be located near the terminus OF
our CITY railroad, which our citizens and
| strangers now so miic;l use for btIsl,
ness, health, pleasure, and curiosity
and fears, whether TCi'-ipundcd or not.
will hereafter deter them, and this q
crcat pccuniarv loss will be inflicted upon
! This company. Again, it will Teprc5s andre
| tard the tendency TO the improvement Of
zeal estate which has recently sprung MP in
the direction OF Hollywood. and exercise 10
| benc1cent influence upon the growth OF
| Harvey. And then the recollection that VA
| ter is nearly is great an absorbent OF gases
as charcoal may suggest the idea. absurd a>
| it NAV hc, That hrccZcS, more or less con-
taninaled, might occasionally be blown over
the liquid surface Of the reservoir, and thus
add nothing to the sweetness and purity OF
the water we are compelled to drink. These
are some Of the reasons why different site
| should be selected not affecting so many and
| varied interests and feelings. | am Neither
stockholdcr in the railroad nor owner oi
real estate in that end of the city, and write
with the common interest of q CITIZEN.