The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-09-24
The Floating HOspitaI.

One of the most worthy and far
reaching of the many charities existing
in New York city, known as est. Johns
Guild" was founded by the Rev. Alvah
Wiswall, its present Master, nearly
nine years ago. Since that time it has
carried on an extensive work among
the poor of the metropolis. Its plan is
to have q volunteer visitor for every
block of tenement-houses, so that in
times of great destitution or sickness,
every family can be Immediately visited
and cared for. By this means, as many
as 5000 poor families have been visited
in the space of three days, Last win
ter this organization assisted, after
thorough investigation at their homes,
1000 families, of, say, $4,000 individu.
ais, while 1900 applicants were found
to be impostors, and were turned away.
During the winter over 123, 900 pack
ages of groceries, 10000 loaves of
bread, 5,993 pounds of tea, and Is, 900
garments were distributed, and yet the
fund was not taxed single cent for
salaries or office rent. Some of the
most wealthy and fashionable ladies
and gentlemen of New York rank
among its volunteers. But the good
work is not confined to the winter-time
The poor are looked after the year
round. This summer the Guild has es-
tablished Floating Hospital" the
object of which is to enable mothers to
take their sick children from the moi
some dens in which SO many live, out
upon the waters of the river, bay, and
sound, where they may breathe the
pure air that re-invigorates their droop-
ing bodies. Competent physicians ac-
company these excursions and tenderly
examine and prescribe for the little
ones. Tickets are distributed free by
the dispensary physicians, visitors of
the Guild, the police, and others. On
one recent trip there were no less than
1,478 persons on board the barge, of
whom 431 were mothers or persons
having children in charge, $50 were
young infants, while the remainder
were between the ages of two and eight
years, or cripples and adult invalids.
There were no cases of contagious dis
eases, but there were 293 cases of chol-
era infantum, 73 of marasmus, and $40
cases of debility resulting from impure
air and lack of proper nourishment.
During the day two simple and bounti-
full meals were served on board, and
the quantity of beef, bread, milk, tea,
rice, and butter consumed indicated
that good food, and enough of it, were
unaccustomed luxuries to many. The
scene on deck, where were so many
weary-eyed and pale-faced children,
could but awaken feelings of pity and
tenderness. One poor woman held in
her arms her third and only remaining
child, dying from marasmus. She
brought her into thecabin of the barge,
and sat gazing steadfastly and tenderly
into the baby's wasted face. In reply
to question of the kindly stewardess,
she said, her voice choking her: 81
thought just now she was dying in my
arms, and wanted to sit down here
where no one would see me, and let her
die as easily as possible" eyes," she
added, in response to pitying word,
"Ive not taken my clothes off nor
slept night in six weeks, but I'd glad
| ly sit up six weeks more to save my lit.
tie darling's life ;" and the poor, tired,
heart-wrung mother gave way to he1
grief, and her tears fell silently and
swiftly on the dress of her child. Lat.
er, under the care of the physician, the
babe revived little, opened its eyes,
and moved its wasted limbs, and the
mother took little comfort from fee
BILE hope. To many a sick child the
Floating Hospital has proved life
boat indeed.