Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-11-29
For tho oxford Democrat.
HOSPITALS.


Hospital Is derived from Latin word
hospitalid, which signifies apartments for
guests, and, as formerly, the best furnished
rooms were set apart for the stranger, now
the most convenient and well arranged In
stitutions are prepared for the reception
and relief OF the sick. The ancients gave no
thought or attention to the amelioration
Of the condition OF the III and deformed,
regarding all persons as useless who were
unable to participate In warfare; and al
though, insanity was regarded as sacred
disease and early Grecian and Roman
writer's abound In illusions To the pro-
phetic powers OF madness and the sup
posed ability Of certain gods to produce 1t,
yet In no instance do they make an allu-
sion TO any institution for the care and
protection OF the insane. Heather my
thology did not accomplish much In max.
Ing mankind tender towards the unfortu.
nate, and 1t was not till the light OF Chris
tianity flooded the world, Illuminating In
golden text the grand msXlms OF kindness
and benevolence, that any provisions were
for the sick, wounded or intirm.
Historians mention a hospital founded
at Cesarea In the latter part OF the fourth
century, by band calling themselves
Christians, and ST. Chrysostom, during the
same wave OF ascetic fervor that rolled
over western Asia. sold the rich furniture
and expensive wardrobe which belonged
10 his predecessors In the episcopal chair
OF Constantlnople, and with the proceeds
builded hospital for the poor. Another
soon sprang into existence IN Rome, and
from that time they have rapidly increased
In number and Importance, until to-day
there is not civilized city OF any size on
the globe that has not one or more, sup
ported by charity.
The Hotel Dieu OF Paris, covering five
acres, IL one OF the largest and finest In
the world. The General Hospital OF Wen
na, having three thousand beds, almost
equals IL, and possesses rare advantages
for the student who wishes 10 complete
his medical education. St. Bartholomew
Is the oldest In London, aud accommodates
"a, 900 patients annually. II has a school
OF medicine and many fine surgical muse
ums connected with II, and once numbered
among its teachers the celebrated William
Harvey, who in the discharge OF his duties
as lecturer on surgery In 1919 made that
discovery OF the circulation OF the blood,
with which his name has since been asso-
ciated.
New York City has the most numerous
and best directed institutions for care OF
the sick In this country, and perhaps, in
point OF extent and excellence, will COM
pare favorably with any In the world.
Bellyue Hospital, under the direction OF
the Commissioners OF Public Charities, &C.
cupies the entire block between 26th Street
and East River, and contains 81 wards with
accommodations for 200 persons. About
6,000 patients are annually received, OF
whom twelve per cent die,-a large pro
portion II seems, until 1t Is remembered
that the men, women and children thus
treated are from the lowest order OF the
social scale, with constitutions under
mined by evil practice or born 10 heri-
tage OF woe, and their systems will not re-
spond readily 10 the action OF drugs. II
was built for 4 prison or almshouse more
than half century ago, and, although
greatly improved, Is still lonely and for
bidding. It was gray, bleak day in
although, the Flower Missions were doing
much TO render the interior pleasant, and
the excellent nurses from the Training
School In the substantial brick building
opposite, had accomplished wonders in
eyoking order and cleanliness, still II was
4 sad place. | remember row after row Of
faces, piuchod by disease and Scared and
scanned by dissipation, that would be
changed but slightly should they be re
moved TO the Dead House close by, from
which several times week little steamer
bears the rude unlettered cofllus 10 the
Potter's Field. II started while We were
watching, and as 1t disappeared in the
cold mist with its CHASTITY burden 1t seemed
symbolic OF the lives that had closed in
obscurity and utter forgetfGlness. As poor
Ni1y Trent would say, There may re
chances by an by, somewhere, for such SIS
they; God knows"
A low-roofed building on which is in
scrbed THE Morgue," stands on the Bell
vue grounds, and is under the charge OF
the warden OF the hospital. All dead bod
les OF unknown persons are exposed there
with view to the Identification by friends.
morbid desire to see the place led me in
side, and although DO not now regret 4,
certainly should be unwilling to repeat
the visit. Two bodies taken that day from
East River lay on the slabs, man and a
child about seven years old-a pretty boy
with long fair hair and delicate features.
The drip, drip, drip Of the water as 1t fell
upon the cloths that covered their bodies,
was the most melancholy sound that ever
reached my ear, and the sight OF their
faces was the most pitiful spectacle that
ever was before my eyes. The keepers
told US that 1000 bodies were exposed
there In six years, half OF whom were rec
ognized by friends the others were carried |
to the City Cemetery for burial; their
clothes were exhibited month and kept q |
year and every other Available means tak