The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-07
Sisters Of Charity Nursing
the Victims.
A REFORM AND A RELIEF.
The Noble Ladies' Journey to
the Sufferers.
TENDERNESS IN PLACE OF NEGLECT

wells Island are now actively engaged In Der ect-
ing the arrangements OF that sorrowful abode In
accordance with the best plans for sucn an insti-
luton. and have nearly completed the prelimi-
nary changes which the imperIections Of the old
system MADE necessary. SO much was known Of
the Smallpox Hospital from the many complaints
MADE against 1t by patients who by miracle had
escaped the usual fate OF all who had been doomed
to enter Its portals, and from some offcials who
had grown Disguised with the terrible neglect OF
the PATIENTS that the public looked upon the place
with feeling OF terror ana win pity for the
unfortunate stricken inmates, which was deep
ened by the knowledge that 1t was impossible to
procure permanent relief.
THE SYSTEM AS IT WAS.
The manner IN which the hospital was conducted
left the patients completely at the mercy Of set
oil nurses, whose only idea OF their duty consisted
III being sent back to the punishment In the PSni-
Tertiary. from which they had been relieved to
perform the tender and painstakng oIlces OF
. waiting upon the sick and tue dying. 1t became
soon mere matter Of routine Tor this class OF
persons to act as nurses. and 1t may easily be
Imagined how easy 1t was to continue system
by which an apparent attention to duty was the
eover Tor q most INSCRIPTIONS avoidance Of the
comfort and case OF the patient IN, order to Sc
cure Tor themselves the idencss and laziness which
before they were sent to prison was doubtless the
main cause of their ever being sent there. Even
some OF the doctors on the island old not escape
the charge Of being remiss in their duty OF secur
Ing reformation. and Of insisting that the pa
tents should be attended to under every circum-
stance. 1t was replied on the part OF the doctors
thai they did not see how anything better could
be done; that the prisoners selected for the
duties OF nurse were the best they had on the
island who were willing to risk the chances Of
disease, and that no very particular neglects were
noticeable so far as they had observed. This last
point OF explanation by the medical men was
doubtless true, Tor the system already referred to
enabled the attendants to pus In q good appear.
ance when the doctors were going the rounds.
There was, OF course, paid marron In the place.
but even she could not be always watchlul, and
was compelled to acknowledge the situation. 1t
Is not so long ago. perhaps Q coupls Of
Tears, since o matrou OF the institution,
who had just lett II, unfolded shocking
tale In regard to the conduct OF the hos
pital. Her allegations were fierce; but they
we're not near so astounding nor half so appalling
- that which aroused the whole community IN
the case OF Eliza Collins, the poor emigrant girl,
who, 1t Is asserted, was outraged, when in state
Of convalescence by the keeper called the Major."
Many of the charges which mad been MADE against
the nurses ana Otner attendants we're passed over
lightly on the simple plea tnat the poor creatures
them in their arduous toll. and that. II iault
we're to be found for this. VINO would supply she
perpetratei by the "Major' upon the poor SICK
Hiri had such excupatory reLson Tor It's mitiga-
there was q shameless attempt made 10 clear him
altogether Of the consequences OF the offence by
Two gen tlemen holding offcial positions the lame
ness OF which was well devcioped, though tDc &C.
cused keeper ESCAPED any adequate punishment.
we're aroused, the Commissioners OF Emigration
also got stirred up. but, better than all, the sense
OF tne communly was enlisted, ana, as It was I'M
iul that at last something might be done.
HOW RELIEF CAME.
Board Of Health. called on the REV. DIR. McGlynn
pastor OF ST. Stephens churcn, Twent, -elgbth
secure the services oil the Sisters OF Charity as
nurses. DR.. McGynn readily consented, but ex-
lions, most Unreasonable in every way, to have
the Sisters admitted to the hospitals III the city
which were not under the especial care OF sotno
Catholic organization. the injustice done to these
pious women by this excu-iveness was great, lOr
1t supposed necessarily that instead OF performing
the duties undertaken by them and winch constI-
tuted In the main their MISSION they would be pre-
JUDGED against non-Catholics and consequently
dstus the Religious faith he proessed
Tne battle fields of Europe attested the
sss o. pow With tu was s res
recollections Of our own 1our years. war. people
nesltatea ABOUT the mlnlstration OF ono OF these
ladies at the bedside OF sufferers from disease.
Perhaps there could be objection raised against
their attendance even IN the wards OF smallpox
(Dr McGynn) had heard. that IN no HOSPITAL In
the world was tnelr gentle presence more needed
In that smallpox Hospital on tue island.
DR.. smlIh entirely agreed IN the sentiments ex-
pressed BY Dr. McGnn lie noSsd .6sr tn Inc nos
troll OF the Board OF health and that the Commls-
sioners OF Charities and Correction would cease
to nave anything at oil 10 say aboutbt.
me conversation related above, authentic In
substance, was followed by. the expression or
recoilectons Of the old army hospital whlcn dur.
ing the rebellion was located in Central Park. and
OF which Dr. smith was the doctor IN supreme
charge and OF which Tor three years Or. McGlynn
ters Oh Charity were the nurses, and ali the man
agement OF The WOUNDED soldiers was IN their
hands, When DR.. Smith became connected with
the Eoasd OF Healtn and discovered the wretched
workings OF tho Smallpox Hospital ne worked
aid the sick soldiers had received froI1 the Sisters
OF Charity In years gone by, when the Contra!
to many i broken down soldier, and thus
1t was that these two army doctors, the one
divine and the other medical, brought about
plan for procuring competent nurses to poor
smallpox patients. The Sister who ls placed In
charge OF the hospital as Sister Superior is the
in Central PARK. The names OF the sisters are -
Sister Mary THOMAS Sister Superior; Sister SEQ
man, Sister Angelina and Sister Bernadette.
PUBLIC OPINION.
and traveIs with irs deadly stride m and down
and stretches iGselt across from river to river,
there Is not fanny upon the head of whose most
loved member the ravager may not est. once
tnat fatal htiul pain reveals tue hateful scourge
oil nope Is lost. There Is nothing lett then hope
Tor rom mortal aid; for experience has proved
that never again, except by some extra0r-
binary chance, Will that stricken form
AGAIN return to healthy activity. the last
sight to be seen OF The victim Is
that afforded when the ambulance Is at the door,
Dread necessity demands that the patient must
90 to the smallpox hospital, except In one case
out OF hundred. Inc class OF people who are the
most ape to eaten the disease have, therefore, q
neep aud peculiar interest IN tne terrible house by
the river SIDE Wneie no Trend can vlSle the.l, no
soothing word he sad, no kindly relief be Afforded
and where, nltnerto the only hep Ia the sickness
Is done by the hands OF selected females from
Backwell's lsianu. 1t Is no wonder, tncn, that
thousands OF citizens and their families leel
sense OF comparative reIief when they Know that
In the future the poor, desOlate inmate OF the
most necessarily des0ate OF All houses Tor the
SICK, has at least nurse who laD0rs not Tor O re-
ward here below. and TO whom the poorest OF the
poor Is as dear as Is the rich, and the most loatu
some sufferer is the most endery treated.
THE SISTERS ARRIVED