National Republican., 1883-11-13
A WOMAN'S DISPENSARY,
Where Females May Be Treated by Physi-
clans of Their Own Sex.
Its Formal observation-disclosures by DIR
y. II. johnson and MIR. Riddle.

The woman's dispensary for women and
children was formally dedicated last night
IN the now quarters 025 Tenth street north
west. Tho interior of the building presented
. very pretty scene, with its tasty decora-
Sions and scores Of burning candles and
colored Chinese lanterns. Evergreen and
autumn leaves were arranged about tho
walls In neat designs, interspersed with forms
and fragrant flowers, while bunting and flags
hung in graceful folds about tho windows,
doors, and mantels producing very
picturesque effect. The services were opened
by Rev. DIR. Leonard, of st. Johns church.
who read an appropriate passage from the
scriptures. DIR. Elliott, of Ascension church,
followed with dedicatory prayer, after
which DIR. Tabor johnson, president Of the
board, niado an interesting address. He said
ehis is tho first womans dispensary ever es.
oablished in Washington, and it
Is dedicated to the sweet charity of
healing the sick and suffering women
and children who may apply for aid Several
dispensaries have been established prior to
ehis one where women and children could be
treated free of charge. Somo have been dis
continued and others are now in successful
operation, but never before, so far as |
am informed, has there been an insti-
tuition of this kind in our city whero
women could be treated by physicians
of their own Sex, Tho ladies who
are the attending physicians of this
dispensary, after their graduation at the
Woman's Medical college in Philadelphia,
applied to our city authorities for appoint
ment as physicians to tho poor The COM
missioners in their wisdom, saw fit to decline
their applications. Still feeling that they
might and ought to be Of service to the
female poor of the city in these first years of
their practice they conferred with their
friends, and upon their advice and
offers of substantial aid. determined
to open q free dispensary, where any woman
could come for treatment. After mass meet
ing and the election of officers it was deter
mined to establish hospital as well, where
women could be treated by physicians of their
own sex. Tho directors then secured the
present building, an amount sufficient to
assure the expenses of the institution for six
months having been pledged. Tho publica-
tion of its charter by the daily
before the paint was dry upon its sign patients
began to apply for treatment. The records
show that about $50 patients have already
been treated and about 400 prescriptions
compounded.
1t is not proposed to interfere with any of
the various medical charities in the city. They
all have their particular fields, and are doing
great good. Several patients have already
presented themselves who arc so afflicted
as to require surgical operations, and the
board ore only waiting for the
proper surgical appliances to fit up a room for
such operations. In closing he predicted that
the institution would be supported literally,
and thereby be q success.
Mr.. A. G.. Riddle spoke next, and paid
glowing tribute to woman and her work.
He said: This is the first and only place of
its kind in Washington, and must succeed"
DIR. Rankin closed the service with the
benediction. The guests then adjourned to
the upper rooms where refreshments were
served by committee of ladies.
Among those in attendance we're: DIR.
Schaeffer, Mr.. A. S. Worthington, DIR. Beall,
Capt. Sumner, U. s. N, Gen. Mussey, Mr..
Dewey, DIR. and Mrs. Prentiss, Mrs Roach
lpresident of the Woman's Temperance union),
Mrs. Hall, Miss Hail. Miss Mckee, Mrs. DR..
Seaman, Mrs. DR.. Magruder, Mrs. DIR. Garnett,
Mrs. DR.. johnson, DIR. IA. f.. "A.
King, Miss Conckling, Miss Childs,
Miss Fannie Childs, Miss Helen Childs
DIR. Jeanette j. Sumner, DIR. Anna Z. Rice
Attending physicians: DR.. j. L. Johnson Dr.
james S. Beale, DR.. ID. w. Prentiss, DIR. A. j.
A. King, DR.. j. b. Loring, nr. Frank Hyatt
DIR. G. Ii. A. Klineschmidt, DIR. w. w. John
ston, DR.. Harriet s. Warren, Mrs. Louise
Pollock, Rev. Mr.. Ingle, DIR. Samuel J. Busey
Dr., Mrs. and Miss Schaeffer, Miss Gadsby,
Mrs Lieut.. selfridge, and Miss Florence
Sumner