New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-28
tCOmmumcated.l
What Northern Lady Saw in a
Southern Hospital.

What Northern Lady Saw in a
! Southern Hospital.
EDITOR Republican,:
OF all the public institutions in New
Orleans none appeal more directly and
forcibiy to ones interest and sympathies
| than the Charity Hospital on Common
street, under the efficient charge of DR.. A.
| w. Smyth. The whole arrangement of
| this immense building is most convenient
and admirable; the spacious wings each
side Of the main entrance for male and
female patients respectively are furnished
with careful regard for comfort and are
most scrupulOusly neat. The beds, ranged
in long rows, are models of cleanliness,
ana such an inviting, cheerful hOmelike air
pervades the wards throughout as almost
to make the visitor feel that sickness in
such resting place, with such surround
inss, would be real luxury and not
mere endurance. From the wards, full
OF inteligent-looking patients, watched over
by attendant Sisters, We passed into the
great kitchen. neat az wax, where order
re'gned supreme and where our senses
were RECALLED and our appetites sharpened
by sight OF an excellent and abundant dinner
just being served. Here, as in every depart.
ment throughout the institution, everything
Is under the care Of the Sisters, a faith
full, unseliish and untring band of workers,
with hearts overhowing in love and tender
sympathy tor the unfortunates intrusted to
their charge. The commo1i0us washrOom
adlons the kitchen, where the huge ma
chimes are in motion from dawn until night,
keeping in cleanliness all the inmates of
the vast establishment. We shall not soon
forget the sweet face Of the Sister who
smiled upon us here, SO radiant was it with
pure goodness and single e-heartedness, nor
the pleasure it afforded her to pick for ns
some of her brightest blossoms from the |
little greenhouse beyond a cosy chapel over |
head is fitted up attractively and appro.
priately for the convenience of the patients, |
who can repair there whenever they wish. !
broad gallery extends around the entire !
building inside the square, where, on bright |
days, the sun and balmy breezes give the |
convaiescenC warm welcome. The |
patients, of every color, nationality, grade |
and condition, strangely interested US
coming from all parts of the world, speak
ng every known tongue, suffering from all
kinds OF diseases, some bright and hopeful
n anticipation of recovery, others wasted
and weak waiting for dcath-tLese 600 in
mates seemed little world by themselves,
10 apart from the din and rush Of outside |
ife, happy and content in their calm re-
reat. 1t was pleasant to witness the bright
miles which invariably greeted DR.. Smyth
IL he kindly conducted us through the
-arlous departments, evidence of
he af1ectionate trust with which these poor
utferers regard their physician and friend
fine ampitheatre is connected with the
for clinical lectures. before the
tudents, but as class was then in attend
nee We were not admitted.
The whole Charity Hospital i'm.
ressed us greatly; it seemed such a
owerful medium for good, for charity
the highest kind, with such an unselfsh,
corps of laborers, heart and
oul III their noble work; such an institu.
on, Offering, as it does, free welcome to
very sick applicant who may come to it
'r shelter and advice, never turning !
1ffering human being from its wide open ;
oors. is justly the city's pride and
Oast, and for whose permanent mainte-
ance every effort should be made. OF the !
any bright memories We shall take North | :
ON our visit to New Orleans none will be
ore lasting than the morning spent at the !
harity Hospital C.H.W. 6