Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-01-31
Russian Founding Hospitals.

burg and Moscow. The one in the last
named city was found in 1862 by
Catherine H., and in the first year of
its existence received several hundred
infant inmates. To accommodate the
increasing number Of children annually
applying for entrance, series of build
ings have been erected, which, for
magnitude and imposing architecture,
rival the largest and finest structures in
Moscow. Bayard Taylor estimates the
size of the hospital at three times that
of the Capital at Washington, and the
length of its front. at ! 200 feet. Its
construction is in every particular of
the most substantial character; its walls
are of brick or stone, its corridors are
faced with marble or tiles, its stair-cases
are of iron, and the apparatus for heat
ing and ventilation are admirably con-
trived. Its management is most orderly
and systematic; and an air of clesnli
ness, cheerfulness, and comfort reigns
throughout.
The charity of the institution is not
limited to illegitimate children, but the
offspring of respectable parents are ad-
mitted without reservation. No infor-
nation is asked with regard to the
parentage of an infant; il is enough
that il here seeks the fostering care of
the State. The only question put is
whether it has been baptized, in order
that, if the rite has been neglected. it
may be Immediately performed by the
priest connected with the Hospital.
Children are brought from all parts of
the Empire, even from remote Siberia
and Bessarabia, and the doors of the
great building are open night and day
TO receive them. In 1857 the number OF
children admitted was l4,000; and,
between 1862 and 1864, it was 81, ,5S7.
Within 100 years from its foundation
the institution had taken within its
sheltering arms about 100000 found
lings.
The little ones are retained at the
Hospital for six weeks or two months,
and are then sent into the country,
where they are reared in private families
until old enough to be put in schools.
About one-third of the children received
die in infancy; and yet this death-rate
is much lower than that among Russian
infants cared for at home. A nurse is
provided for each child in the Hospital,
and her wages are about $50 year, in
addition TO board and lodging. At the
time of Bayard Taylor's visit, there
were /, 200 babies in the nursery and
200 nurses. The expense of maintain
ing this immense Institution amounts
to s., ,0G0, 900 annually, and the manage
ment of it is given into the control of
some great nobleman or distinguished
person.
The foundings are regarded as chill
dren of the State, and it provides for
their education and trains them for a
condition of usefulness. One depart
ment of the Hospital is appropriated to
the orphans of Government officers.
The boys of this better class are educated
to some profession, and the girls to be-
come teachers and gOverneSses. If any
among them manifest talent in Il par
ticular direction, it is given opportunity
for a full development. The common
foundlings are trained to various in
dustries, and many OF them enter the
army, or are established a. colonists on
vacant crown-lands.
The system prevailing at the lying-in
hospital is based on a. generous plan
rs that of the main institution. All
women are received without question
or reserve and are admitted Il month be-
fore confinement, and retained until
well. Those who wish TO conceal their
identity are carefully protected from
observation. Many wives of poor men,
and even Of those in comfortable cir
cUmstauces, take advantage of this Op-
portunity 70 save themselves trouble
and expense. When restored to health,
they are at liberty TO either leave or to
carry away. their infants; and they
may remain, if they choose, and take
the place of nurses 10 their own Off-
spring, receiving the usual pay accorded
to one of the regular staff. Parents are
allowed to visit their children at stated
intervals, and may reclaim them at any
time.
The Founding Hospital at 81. Peters
burg was established in i772. 1t ex-
ceeds in extent that of Moscow, and its
buildings cover twenty-eight acres of
ground in the heart of the city. II is
divided into four departments, COM
prising the nursery; twelve country
districts, to which the children are sent
to be educated; a city hospital for the
crippled and incurable: and a country
institution for legitimate children. In
1859 it annually received 1000 found
lings. Ten years later 1000 were
annually received AT this and the Moscow
Hospital. The institution at st. Peters
burg employs upward of 500 teachers,
and corps of 5000 nurses, servants,
and other functionaries. The cost of
the education of the children is more
than 100000 per year, and the
property devoted to the support of this
and the Moscow Hospital is above
So 600, 900.
In considering the moral influence of
an institution like these described above,
the fact must be taken into the account
that the crimes of foeticide and infanti-
eide are unknown in Russia. 1t must
also be remembered that the children
of respectable parents swell the number
ef those received at the Hospitals of st.
Petersburg and Moscow.
Charles Mathews First Engagement.
The first regular engagement was at