New-York tribune., 1881-12-25
ST MARys HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN,

One of the most useful institutions in the city for
aording relief TO children of the poor is St. Mary5
Free Hospital for Children, under the charge of the
Sisters of st. Mary. The building, which was occu-
pied for the frs time about year ago, Is 81 uated
In West ThlIty-fOurth-st., near Nlnth-avc It's cX-
cheeriuness, The woodwork is light, the white
walls are tastefully hung with pictures, and the
windows are OF stained glass. One OF the wards
is on the right of the main hail.
row of little iron bcdsteadS painted blue aud
mented with brass knobs, extends the full length OF
the room on either side. When TRIBUNE reporter
called yeste DAY party Of the older inmates was IN
one corner of the ward making up packages for
Christmas morning with great secrecy. Several
of the beds were occupied by patients. Nearly
all whiled away the time with toys, spread out on
little table, set in front OF them on the cots One
little giTl bad doll, which she was treating
with bandages and medicine administered from
little japanese boJte; another amused herself with
a miniature dressing case; a third had box of
building blocks The little boys found cnjO ment
III tin horses and paper dragons. Standing be-
tween two of the cots " little cooking range, on
which cOnvaescen patients are permitted 20 praC-
se the arts of the kitchen under the supervision of
a nurse. There are TWO other wards Oh another
floor, one of which contains children under five
wears OF age. Inls Is called the Holy lnnOccnts
Mard-so named because furnished by the Holy
InnOcents Guild, an assOClatl N OF women of the
Church of the ITansnguratlon. On the next floor
there are large playToOms and a chapel, ia which
services are held every day for those OF the patients
who are not confined 10 theIr beds. In the base
ment is a dspensary where medicines are furnished
TO women and children on certain days.
The sister cnarge said thai many OF the patients
came into the hospital through the dIspensary and
also from other dispeusarics throughout the CT j.
Others are sent III By women visiting the poor IN
different parishes, and by women interested IN par
ticular poor families. Many of the cases sur
p1cai and no chrome cases are admitted, except
such As can be afforded relief The whole number
of patients for the year IS abOnt 200
1 here are sixty beds in the Zee wards, with five
nurses for the ward ~ which the youngest
cbildren and four each or the other TWO wards;
the average number OF patients Is forty y-eight.
There are SIX sisters IN attendance.
The sister said that the institution was entirely
dependent on voluntary contributions Tor its sup
port. lne current expenses amounted 10 about
81 900 month, but III the last three months the
receipts had fallen short of the necessary outlay
auout o., 900, In course OF time, she saId IL
hoped 20 meet the expenses Ia part Dy means of en-
doWed beds. As yet there j. only one endowed bed,
which is supported by the interest on p3 600. \
sum is being raised by the subscribers Tor Hdrpe1'6
Young People In all parts OF the country fOr the puT
pose of endowiuR ano. .hcr bed. ConLr buttons TO
his fund have been received from Europe. Five
other beds were support ID last year by the payment
of 500 each. most Important addition 10 the
hosplta Is a seaside homo, which was built at Rock
away Beach last summer, and Will be ready Tor oc-
cupaDcy next season. 1t l. proposed 10 have Christ
mas tree next thursday afternoon, when many OF
the patrons OF the hospital Will be present. Ircs-
ents will also be given to the children Christmas
morning.