The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-06-01
4" Retreat for the Sick. :"

Incredible y it may seem 10 those ac-
quainted with this institution. there are
still many in our community who are
wholly ignorant IL is origin. design, and
general workings. For the benefit of such.
short retrospect OF It's history viii here be
given.
About the middle of March. 1877, the in
iirmary OF the Medical College was lOaped
by the faculty 10 a few ladies, who,
prompted only by love 10 God and humani-
ty. undertook to establish there a retreat
for the sick" including men, women. and
children. which should embrace al the adj
vantage, OF hospital, without the name
and surroundings 30 generally considered
obnoxious. The building being ont Of re-
pair, and exceedingly dirty, time and
means were required 10 make II cOmf0rta-
BILE: and untiring efforts have been made
to effect That result.
50 great was the need for such an nsti-
tuition. and 50 mach did the blessing Of
Heaven rest upon il, that tS growth was
wonderful. and necossllatcd IN increase of
accommodations, which was accomplished
by the purchase last summer Of a house
and lot in the ncighborhood The lihe-
rality Of comparatively few individuals,
then appealed 10, enabled the ladies to
secure the first payment on this property,
and they have since completed the pun
chase.
Both Of these buildings have been filed
with patients the whole winter, and the
popularity Of the institution is spreading
rapidly all over Virginia and adjacent
States. I'm the midst Of IT. successful career
II has received a sudden check by the an
nOunccmcnt from the Medical Faculty that
they needed their building, and It must be
vacated. This viii oblige the ladies TO re-
move 20 their own house, which Is entirely
too small for their purpose. The lady
managers, fifty in number, representatives
Of the principal denominations. churches,
and synagogucs in the city. have deter
mined 10 build an addition TO this house,
and consequently appeal to ALL the citizens
Of Richmond and state OF Virginia in par
ticular. and charitable people IN general, 10
aid them in accomplishing this work. There
has never been any endowment upon the
Retreat, and il /, supported entirely by the
board Of such patienlsa. are aile 10 pay; two
hundred dollars per annum appropriated
by the Common Council: donations of
from five 10 ten dollars per month from a
few churches and synagOHlcs, for which
an equivalent is given in hospital treatment
for church patients: and public entertain
mcntS given by the lady managers. These
receipt, have barely met the expenses,
which are very heavy, as o number Of en-
ployeS, good fare, aud quantitie, Of fuel,
are necessarily requisite. 4 large number
OF FREE patients also have shared il bcuc-
iits aud received medical treatment in addi-
ton 10 everything else. The invitation of
the Board has always been extended TO all
physicians OF good standing 10 send their
patients and treat them there. assured thai
they would be properly nurscd and cared
for. As least fifteen hundred have been
received. and most Of thom lett. or returned
home blessing the institution which had
afforded them such comior; and relief.
Shall such gloriou, work be- allowed 10
suffer or cry for help 10 strange communi-
ties? 1t is hoped that hbuGl response
will enable the ladies 10 proceed with the
building, which they require as soon as
possible. They win need 40 least $4,000,
and several hundred are already prom
lSed